Web design and psychology

Web design isn’t just about putting pictures and words on a screen anymore. It’s more like leading a group of mental tricks that encourage people to do specific actions. Design psychology is all about understanding how our brains work and how we make choices when we’re using websites. The concept of web design psychology comes from cognitive psychology, user experience (UX) research, and behavioural economics to decipher how users perceive, interact, and make decisions within digital spaces.

One of the fundamental pillars of design psychology is the Gestalt principles. These principles emphasise how humans naturally perceive and organise visual information. Imagine building a puzzle. Design psychology is like knowing how people naturally put pieces together. For example, if things are close to each other, our brains think they belong together (the law of proximity). Or when we see an incomplete shape, our brains automatically fill in the missing parts (the principle of closure). These tricks help us decide what to look at on a website and make everything fit together nicely.

The power of first impressions

Just like when you meet someone for the first time in real life, first impressions matter immensely in the digital world. Researchers have found that websites have a mere fraction of a second to capture a user’s attention. This is when way colours, fonts, and how things are arranged becomes significant. Colours can make you feel different emotions – like blue might make you feel safe, red could mean something is important, and green might make you think of nature or calmness. Typography, on the other hand, influences how content is consumed – serif fonts may convey tradition and formality, while sans-serif fonts exude modernity and simplicity.

The layout of a website also plays a pivotal role. The F-pattern and Z-pattern reading behaviours are essential considerations. Users often scan content in an F-shaped pattern – starting with a horizontal movement at the top, followed by a vertical movement down the page. The Z-pattern, common in pages with less text, involves scanning in the shape of a Z. Understanding these patterns enables web designers to strategically place critical information and calls-to-action where users are most likely to see them.

Navigating with ease

Effortless navigation is a hallmark of effective web design. Psychology shows us that people will probably stay and use a website more if they can easily find what they are looking for. This is where the idea of cognitive fluency comes in. Cognitive fluency suggests that people prefer things that are easy to understand and process. To make this happen, designers should ensure that the navigation menus you use to get around the website are clear, short, and logically organised. The words used should explain themselves, and the menus should look the same on every page.

Furthermore, the paradox of choice should be kept in mind. Remember the confusing situation that happens when there are too many choices. Having lots of options can seem nice, but sometimes it can make it hard to decide. By limiting the number of choices – whether it’s product options or navigation links – web designers can guide users toward the desired outcomes.

Web design psychology of visual hierarchy

In web design, visual hierarchy is a fundamental concept that leverages psychological principles to prioritise and organise content. Our brains are wired to process information hierarchically – scanning for the most important and relevant details first. We can use this idea by using different things like size, contrast, colour, and positioning on the website.

Buttons that tell you what to do (we call them “calls-to-action” or CTAs) are a great example of visual hierarchy in action. When these buttons are big, bold, and strategically placed, web designers can guide users toward desired actions. For instance, you might sign up for a newsletter, make a purchase, or explore more content. The reason this works is because of something called the “Von Restorff effect.” It means you remember things that are different more than things that are the same.

Building trust and credibility

Building trust and credibility is important at a time when there are many online scams and misinformation. Psychology offers insights into how to instil confidence in users when visiting a website. Elements such as social proof – showcasing user testimonials, reviews, and trust badges – can make people feel good about the website. People tend to follow the crowd, if others have had positive experiences, they are more likely to engage.

Transparency is another vital component. When users feel that a website is upfront about its intentions, how it uses your information and business practices, they’re more likely to trust and interact with the website. Web designers can employ visual cues like clear privacy policies and secure payment icons to help build this trust.

The urgency and scarcity effect

Feeling like something is important and might not be available for long is a strong way to make people do something. When people think that a product or a special deal will be gone soon, they feel like they need to do something quickly. We can use this feeling in web design by adding things like timers that count down, offers that are only good for a short time, and showing when something is almost sold out. This makes people feel like they shouldn’t miss out (FOMO – fear of missing out), and it makes them decide faster.

But, it’s really important to be careful with this idea. Overusing urgency tactics can lead to a sense of distrust if users feel manipulated.. So, finding the right amount is really important. This helps keep your reputation good and encourages genuine engagement.

AI and personalisation

As technology continues to advance, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in web design is becoming increasingly prominent. AI-driven personalisation leverages user data and behaviour to deliver tailored experiences. This means looking at what you like, what you’ve done before, and what you click on, AI algorithms can predict what content or products you are likely to engage with, enhancing the overall user experience (UX).

The reason AI personalisation works is because of something called the “mere exposure effect”. This means that when you see something many times, you usually start to like it more. Personalised content meets individual tastes and needs, increasing the likelihood of user engagement and conversion.

In the complex relationship between web design and psychology, web designers have the unique opportunity to shape user behaviour, influence decisions, and create meaningful connections. Knowing how our minds work when we use websites is important now, especially with so many websites out there. Web designers can use ideas from psychology – from first impressions and navigation to visual hierarchy and trust-building – designers can craft websites that not only captivate visually but also resonate emotionally, ultimately leading to more engaged and satisfied users. As technology evolves, so too will the intersection of design and psychology, paving the way for ever more sophisticated and effective web experiences.

As you finish reading, think about this: How might knowing more about how people use websites change the way you create your own? Ready to take your designs to the next level? We’re here to help – reach out to us for personalised guidance in crafting a site that truly resonates with your audience.

Rebranding of the Twitter logo

Twitter is among the leading social networking platforms with more than 230 million users, making it highly popular. When thinking about rebranding, many factors must be taken into account. Firstly, the blue bird logo is widely recognised worldwide and instantly linked to the platform. Thus, this change might confuse users and potentially lead to a decrease in their numbers. To undertake a complete brand overhaul, certain driving factors are essential. These include having a new vision, a clear purpose, a change in brand values, and the risk of losing meaningful connections with the users.

The new Twitter logo, the X symbol, looks contemporary and modern. It uses only black and white colours, which is very different from the old blue bird logo. The X stands for exchanging different ideas on the platform, showing how people share their thoughts. The straight lines and shape of the X make Twitter look feel fresh and moving forward. It matches Elon Musk’s ideas for a better Twitter. Similar to the old logo, this new design is made to be flexible and last a long time. People have had different reactions to this logo change. Many users are not pleased to see the X on their screens.

Crowdsourced X logo

Elon Musk asked people on Twitter to help design the new logo. Many different designs were sent, but Musk found the perfect fit in a design shared by a Twitter user named Sawyer Merritt. This collaboration between Musk and the Twitter community further solidified the sense of inclusivity and community-driven changes in the platform’s evolution.

How are people reacting?

Whenever a big change happens, like replacing the well-known bird logo, people’s reactions can be mixed. After the X logo was introduced, Twitter users shared their thoughts on the platform. Some people liked the change and saw it as a sign of Twitter moving forward and Elon Musk’s creative leadership. On the other hand, some users were not so excited and felt nostalgic about the old blue bird logo they had come to love.

Certain users worried that the switch to the X logo might confuse people and push away the current users. The bird logo had become a symbol of Twitter over time, and such a significant transformation could change how people see the platform. However, Elon Musk’s vision for Twitter is focused on creating a new era of communication and progress. He sees the X symbol as representing the exchange of different ideas and perspectives on the platform.

Elon Musk’s bold decision to replace Twitter’s bird logo with the X symbol has sparked discussions about the platform’s future. This change represents a transformative phase for Twitter, embracing innovation, inclusivity, and diverse ideas. While opinions about the change differ, it reflects Musk’s dedication to pushing social networking boundaries and creating a platform that fits our ever-changing world. The future of Twitter and its position in the digital landscape will be shaped by this daring rebranding.

Did you know that Twitter has transformed its iconic bird logo into the X symbol? What are your thoughts on this bold change? Share your opinions with us!

What is the Threads app?

Threads, built by Instagram’s parent company, Meta, is a social media platform where Instagram users with an iPhone or Android device can share and interact with each other’s text posts. When you first start using Threads, your account is linked to Instagram, so you can keep your username. Threads is meant to compete with Twitter. Meta made this strong move to try and get people who use Twitter to start using Threads instead. The hope is that these users will be tempted to switch over to Threads. On the first day, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta (formerly known as Facebook), proudly announced that Threads had gained 30 million new users.

How does Threads work?

Getting started with Threads is easy. You need to simply use your Instagram account credentials to log in and your Instagram username and verification will seamlessly transfer over. Next, you can enter your bio and include important links such as your website or links to other social media accounts. If you prefer a convenient option, you can automatically fill in these details from your Instagram account by selecting “Import from Instagram”. This action also syncs your profile picture from your Instagram profile.

You cannot change your username on Threads itself, as it pulls from your Instagram account. To change your username on Threads, you will have to change your Instagram username. If you are under 16 years old (or under 18 in certain countries), the app will automatically set your profile to private to ensure your safety and privacy.

In Threads, you can share posts on both Instagram and Threads itself. You can post 500 characters in one post on the app. These posts can include links, photos and videos that can be up to five minutes long.

You have the freedom to follow the same accounts as you do on Instagram, while also discovering new individuals who share similar interests. Additionally, you can unfollow, block, restrict or report other profiles. If you block an account on Instagram, it will also be automatically blocked on Threads.

It is now available to download in over 100 countries including the UK, but not yet in the EU because of regulatory concerns, particularly around the EU’s Digital Markets Act. But the company says it is looking into launching in the EU.

Using Threads for your business

With Threads, you can foster stronger relationships and create a sense of exclusivity with your customers. If you are an entrepreneur, using Threads provides a special chance to connect with your audience on a more personal and interactive level. This, in turn, strengthens your brand image and contributes to business growth. Innovative apps like Threads enable you to share exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates and special offers exclusively with a select group of followers. This helps deeper connections and build a loyal community. By utilising Threads and other business tools, you can enhance your brand’s image and establish stronger relationships.

The rapid growth of Threads so far is encouraging for businesses. The key will be if those users stick around over the long term and use the platform regularly. As with any new social platform, there are challenges to overcome. Ensuring the safety and security of user’s personal information, addressing potential privacy concerns and maintaining a healthy and respectful online environment is critical.

What is Bitclout?

Bitclout is a cryptocurrency platform designed to operate as a social media network that looks and feels like Twitter. On the platform every profile gets its own coin that anybody can buy and sell; these are known as “creator coins”.

Bitclout is designed to let people bet on the popularity of public figures by buying tokens associated with people’s profiles. Users can buy a creator’s coin and watch its value change based on the creator’s popularity on the site. Bitclout says its creator coins are “the first tool we have as a society to trade ‘social clout’ as an asset.”

As a disclaimer this blog post is not financial advice, and we are not telling you whether to use bitclout or any cryptocurrency. In this blog post we will look at the importance of personal branding using Bitclout as a new potentially successful social media platform.

Like Bitcoin, Bitclout is a fully open-source project and there is no company behind it – it’s just “coins and code”.

“Celebrity Stock Market”

A BitClout user’s coin value is based on an abundance of factors that make up their online reputation. If a celebrity does something to generate ‘buzz’ for themselves, then more people would invest in their BitClout coin, causing their value to rise. Conversely, if a celebrity’s public relations take a downturn, we could expect their value to fall as users do not want to invest in their reputation.

In order to invest in a celebrity, users must first purchase Bitcoin to trade for BitClout’s own cryptocurrency. To date, nearly $190 million has been locked up through purchases of creator coins, which proves there is already a huge demand for markets based entirely on public personas.

How can influencers profit from BitClout?

BitClout allows fans to support influencers financially – this enables influencers to have more control over their content. On standard social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, influencers with large followings are generally funded by sponsorships and paid promotions from third-party brands, which they market to followers.

BitClout influencers profit very differently – they receive direct payment when followers invest in their coin, with very little transaction fees to worry about. There are also no guidelines/terms of service to govern BitClout content, meaning prominent personalities can create the content they enjoy and their followers want.

Creators are allowed to keep a certain percentage of the BitClout that are invested into their coin, as a “founder reward.” For example, if someone sets their founder reward percentage to 10% and then another user bought 100 BitClout of their coin, then 10 BitClout would go directly to the creator’s wallet.

Who currently uses BitClout?

At the time of writing, many social media stars have signed themselves up to BitClout – most notably the brother duo of Jake and Logan Paul, who each boast tens of millions of followers over various platforms.

There are also ‘placeholder’ accounts created to represent A-List celebrities, such as Elon Musk, Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian. These accounts have been created by anonymous BitClout users and have not yet been formally verified by the stars themselves. Coins purchased on these accounts will become accessible to their namesakes once they tweet their BitClout public key.

There has been controversy surrounding the placeholder accounts, as users can manipulate the market value of celebrity names which possess no attachment to their real-world counterparts. However, this has not stopped their market value from skyrocketing – Justin Biebers’s BitClout coin currently trades for $7500 a coin, whilst Elon Musk’s coin tops the rankings at over $54000.

Seeing at BitClout is in its very infancy, it may take time for more high-profile celebrities to recognise it as a useful platform to help ascend their personal branding.

Freedom to the Influencer

Compared to existing social media platforms, BitClout prides itself on being more ‘free’ with regards to transactions and opportunities to earn. All activities, including text posts (dubbed ‘clouts’), price changes and coin ownerships are public for the users to observe on the network. On each creator’s page it displays the amount of their coins currently on the market, their BitClout price, etc. This gives the platform great potential to develop a ‘purer’ relationship between viewers and creators, without the interference of a centralised institution or third parties.

Due to this, users have the independence that the incumbents didn’t allow them before and access to a public feed system with equal footing for everyone. There remains no party that can curate content everyone sees or support the more financially robust, but rather, this is only in the hands of the users themselves.

How could BitClout affect personal branding?

If nothing else, BitClout has reinforced the idea of monetizing influencers, celebrities, and individual brands based on their social media ‘clout’. In the past decade we have seen Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram generate unprecedented amounts of viral power, and now users can fully capitalize on this with BitClout.

In addition to this, the lack of ‘central’ authority governing BitClout gives users far more freedom and opportunity to customise their personal branding. Because BitClout is built on an open data structure, users can publish BitClout content on any web application. The accessibility of BitClout will allow creators to garner more support and incentivize their followers to buy their tokens.

If you want to build a brand for your business then Reactive Graphics can help.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can get your project off the ground!
To take a look at how Reactive Graphics have transformed clients brand intensities,  please take a look at our our portfolio of work here.

Any new content or updated content can be considered fresh. Content comes in the form of blog posts, infographics, videos, quizzes – really any informative piece of media you can put online.

However fresh content is not just making small updates or changes to existing pages on your website. While some changes and significant overhauls to existing pages may improve ranking on search engines like Google, slight updates do not dramatically improve SEO.

Fresh content means adding new, fresh pages. One of the most common forms of content is a blog. New blog posts add fresh pages to a website. Adding these pages can help your website rank for more keywords, boosting SEO for keywords relating to the website’s industry.

Major search engines, like Google, use bots or web crawlers. This is to find and index recently published content that can be shown in the search results. This means that the more often you release updates, the more search engines will look at your website. As a result, you have better chances of achieving higher rankings based on the content you offer.

Landing on the top page of search results can greatly affect the number of your potential visitors. And this can have a huge impact on your ranking.

Every time you publish a new piece of content, you get the opportunity to optimise for your target keywords. So, if you published one new post a day for 365 days that amounts to 365 keywords. Now imagine what this could mean for you in terms of search engine visibility.

Over time, your website will be populated with all relevant keyword phrases and it could have a better chance at ranking higher up in the search engine result pages. However, you must have to remember that Google always looks at the quality of content and not the number of keywords you have.

By consistently publishing fresh content, you can become an industry expert in the eyes of Google. A quick Google search will tell you that more authority websites have tens of thousands of pages indexed in Google. The more quality content you post, the higher are your chances of becoming an authority site in your niche.

Adding new pages create a new link for your website with a unique URL. Building these links is important to grow your website and create relevant pages. Interlinking between pages can also help share traffic and improve SEO. Backlinks or inbound links are especially important to SEO.

Another good reason to update your website with valuable content is to keep current subscribers updated, as well as provide necessary information for new visitors to convert to customers.

Updating content on your website gives visitors more to see. Publishing fresh content regularly can help build a returning audience, which drives more regular traffic to your site.

If you require a website for your business then Reactive Graphics can help your company to correctly position itself in the marketplace.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can get your project off the ground!
Or you can view our portfolio of work here.

Check out web design trends from previous years:

2016 | 2014 | 2013 | 2011/12