Why Is Content Such An Important Aspect Of The Web Design Process?

What Is The Distinction Between Design And Content? #

Content is the material that people consume in its most basic form. Words, photographs, video, and music can all be used to create content. Design is the display of the content, impacting how people feel in the moment. It is the tangible substance that people cognitively consume. They’re symbiotic, yet they’re also separate.

One prevalent misunderstanding among clients and even designers is that design and content are same. As a result, determining where the designer’s effort ends becomes extremely difficult. Most site designers will admit that it is not their duty to develop video content, but they may fall into writing content production as well. This isn’t a problem if the designer has the knowledge and resources to complete this crucial component of the project, but most designers don’t, and their clients don’t either. The truth is that design and content are two very different things.

As a result, it’s critical that content be prioritised alongside visual design during the web development process.

Why Should We Begin With Content? #

Form follows function is a well-known proverb that originated in the construction business in the 1800s. Architect Louis Sullivan coined the phrase, and his whole sentence elegantly explains this idea:

“Whether it’s the sweeping eagle in flight, the open apple bloom, the toiling workhorse, the blithe swan, the branching oak, the winding stream at its base, the drifting clouds, or the coursing sun itself, form always follows function, and this is the law.”

Architects understand that no matter how beautiful a structure appears, it will be unworkable if it does not suit real-world necessities. This law is directly applicable to how we create websites nowadays. The UX designer’s profession, which is still relatively new, was created to act as a glue between form and function, bridging the gap between how something looks and how it is used. However, few organisations have the funds to hire a specialised UX designer, thus this task frequently falls to the web designer, who may be more concerned with aesthetics.

The client who seeks our advice is primarily concerned in what a website may accomplish for them. As a result, rather than writing reams of material, their responsibility is to bring their business objectives and specialist knowledge to the table.

Moreover..

Do you see the issue? A chasm has opened up, allowing content creation to slip through the cracks. We need to incorporate content creation into our website design process, which implies making room for it from the outset.

Naturally, the cost of extending our project will be higher. This frequently results in opposition to the need for professional content creation. Let’s have a look at possible solutions to this problem.

What Should You Do If Your Client Can’t Afford Copywriting? Professionally written content will result in a higher total return on investment.

Clients frequently think they “cannot afford” copywriting because they are unaware of the benefits it can provide. They are hesitant to make the investment since they do not recognise the possibilities for profit. According to basic economics, if you can create a convincing offer, the person will want it. Use the bullet points above to instil the importance of strong content in corporate communications in general, not just on the web.

I recently worked with a company whose services were initially difficult to comprehend, but with the help of a copywriter, we created a sitemap that mirrored both the end-demands user’s and concisely described what was on offer. This allowed me to devote more time to the visual design system and technological integrations. The eventual consequence would have been far worse if this investment in content generation had not been made.

Now let’s look at various methods for incorporating content authoring into the website development process.

Stitching Design And Content Together Strategies#

If you want to build a terrific website that meets your client’s business goals and doesn’t leave you scrambling for content, you’ll need to give copywriting the attention it deserves. Following are some key concepts I’ve utilised to improve the process after years of struggle.

HELP YOUR CLIENT #

WITH A CONTENT WORKSHOP

Spending a few hours on content allows you to figure out what is most vital to the project. It also internalises a team-wide understanding of the importance of content. Here are some ideas about how to run a session like this:

Ask good, open-ended questions like “what may a visitor desire from the homepage?” to discuss the overarching aims. Who would benefit from this information? After reading this page, how might the visitor proceed?”

Instead than focusing on how things might appear, intentionally redirect the conversation toward messaging and how we intend the visitor to feel.

Consider starting the session off with a content definition and some good/bad examples. To measure and guide their knowledge, ask the team for live comments.

Source: website builder