Whether you’re a small business owner looking to DIY your website, or a freelancer specializing in small business sites, taking these 6 steps can spell the difference between a business-revolutionizing success and an utter and complete mess.

Like the phrase ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’, effective web design is judged by the users of the website and not the website owners. There are many factors that affect the usability of a website, and it is not just about form (how good it looks), but also function (how easy is it to use).

We love designing. It’s true, we love spending hours in front of Photoshop, and nights coding to our heart’s content. But design to us isn’t just about making things look & work great, it’s about finding a way to solve problems.

With mobile devices taking over as the primary way people experience the web, responsive design is more important than ever. But responsive design doesn’t just create a consistent mobile experience.

Web designers often think about the web design process with a focus on technical matters such as wireframes, code, and content management. But great design isn’t about how you integrate the social media buttons or even slick visuals. Great design is actually about creating a website that aligns with an overarching strategy.