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Design More Bookings

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Design More Bookings
Marino Gluhak

23 May, 2023 | 5 min read

It is important to recognize the fact that the content is king, as described in our previous blog post, which you can read about here. Having said that, using the same analogy, web design would be the Queen, and you played chess, right? Further reinforcement of this idea can be found in several truths about the basics of web design that will be showcased. Bring in more bookings using examples from best practices in yacht charter and combine them with the general standards of good design.

The ATTENTION grabber

The attention span of web visitors is getting shorter and shorter. According to a Microsoft study, people now show an attention span of only 7 to 8 seconds, displaying a significant decrease from the 12 seconds measured back in 2000. Forming of opinions and decision making-windows are getting narrower as well and are calculated at 0.05 seconds.

Having that in mind, using an image or animation to grab the attention of your potential clients provides an ideal solution. Making sure you are using visual representations aligned with your messaging is of even greater importance. High-resolution images or videos are larger files, which can slow down the loading time of your webpage and potentially lose a client.

Avoid this by compressing the size of videos or images and optimizing the loading time of your web. Additionally, make sure to use company-made images when representing yachts and bases, as stock images could reduce your credibility.

Respect the Hierarchy

Your website needs to be responsive, meaning that it translates well to any device your potential customers use – from desktop and laptop computers to mobile phones and tablets. Search engine widget is the focal point of every website that successfully sells yacht charters. This segment of your website must be easily accessible, noticeable and stand out from the rest.

The online booking process is your bread and butter and the core mechanic of your whole service mechanism, which turns a web visitor into your client! Furthermore, making your booking process as smooth as possible and easy to navigate would be the best approach. Provide all relevant data about yachts, availability and complementary services in a compact and straightforward manner.

That’s what separates the professionally designed website that makes bookings from all the rest!

Front your Font

Some companies tend to underestimate the importance of font usage and the messaging behind them. A couple of truths about fonts:

  • Pick one main font and stick with it! For instance, serif fonts are often used to convey tradition, stability and heritage. Alternatively, non-serif fonts are viewed as modern, new and fresh, typically used in tech companies. However, you can change fonts between Headings and bodies of text to make a clear-cut distinction but try to do it in a complementary way.

 

  • Use headings to emphasize the point or announce the following body of text. Be careful to have only one H1 per page and then use H2 and H3 headings for more distinction. Otherwise, you will compromise your SEO and get a lower rating and placement in the search results.

Colouring of Action and Emotion

Colours significantly impact first impressions and are a great driving force in human psychology. Colours determine how we perceive things subconsciously in a fraction of a second. These mechanisms have derived from our continuous interactions with our surroundings. To adequately utilize colours to reinforce messaging, create noticeable calls to action, or positively influence brand perception on your website - it is crucial to understand how a chosen colour palette can impact your web visitors. You should also note that shades of specific colours can be perceived differently and vary to a certain degree. However, in general, colours are perceived as follows:

  • Blue – loyalty and stability connected with the feeling of tranquillity and harmony. Reminiscent of the sea and sky is often used in yachting logos.
  • Green - ecology and sustainability a good choice for brands positioning as environmentally friendly.
  • Yellow - symbolizing caution but also associated with optimism and warmth - excellent for capturing attention.
  • Orange - positive and cheerful can also relate to caution – a practical alternative to red for any calls to action.
  • Red - seen as an intense colour with connotations of love and desire but also associated with a feeling of danger - mainly used as a CTA or an attention grabber.
  • Pink - associated with playfulness, fun and light - wrongly stereotyped as a feminine colour.
  • Purple - symbolizes luxury, royalty, nobility and wisdom – Still, it is not utilized by many big companies.
  • Black - timeless and classic - a clean choice that never goes out of style. It can easily be combined with other colours.
  • White - reflecting innocence and purity gives off a fresh and hygienic feeling – using it too much might create a sense of sterility.
  • Gray - is perceived as neutral and balanced - in a case where many colours are already being used, it will cause little or no disruption in terms of design.
  • Brown – earth tone associated with warmth, safety and reliability. However, not considered the most inspirational.
Apply a holistic approach to web design and combine your content with a “smart selection” of web design elements, as listed here, to optimize your web performance and capitalize on your business endeavours!