Apologies for the title, but now I have your attention I feel it is only fair to tell you that simple websites are the best.  Not only do they represent easier to use sites, but they can highlight areas that can be swamped by other unnecessary elements.

Simple sites do not necessary mean minimalist, but the golden rule to simple, is simply to remove unnecessary code, design elements, and content.  It’s that simple.  Below is some good reasons to keep it simple.

Navigation is easier than satnav.

If your site is full of useless content, why keep it?  This hinders navigation as not only does it hide links, but it also distracts from the natural flow of the site. 

To obtain cleaner navigation, think about incorporating the following:

One main menu for navigation, which is consistent throughout the site.

Use sub navigation where needed in the design.

No drop down menus, but instead incorporate the navigation into the sites design.  Remember drop down menus can hide content on a cluttered site.

Slow websites are sleep inducing!

If you have a simple, streamlined site, you provide a better user experience as page loads are much faster.  Lots of JavaScript files, millions of style sheets and superfluous content all contribute to HTTP requests, and thus make your site come to a stand still.

You have to cater for the majority!

You may well be aware that studies have shown that 79% of users scan read a webpage, but are you incorporating that into your design?  If you de-clutter the page of graphic and other superfluous decorative elements, then the content takes centre stage.  Not only is the content easier to read, but the site becomes more accessible to scan readers and non scan readers alike.

Sites are up and running faster if they are simple.

Simple sites take to the air a lot faster if they are simple.  Also, in the main, they require less code to do so.  This is interrelated to navigation and faster page loads.  They also tend to be more relevant to what the site is all about.  Try having two templates instead of eight, simple typography instead of complex, and a background that requires no complicated slicing or coding.  Can make all the difference

There are pitfalls of designing a complex simple looking site.  It is possible to change front end design through just padding an element, or moving a margin, or sometimes just moving something around without it making a huge difference to how the page looks.  This can also help simplify the code, and therefore keep it simple.

Code it simple for less of a Debug fest!

Lets face it, 300 different style sheet properties is more likely to mean going to a debug fest, than if you have 30.  Not only does this mean less of a headache, but also you reach the point where you have your life back that much faster.  That is why it is a good idea to debug right at the start of the design, and where possible deploy techniques such as combining CSS style sheets and properties to make your code a lot shorter.  The trick is to cut the unnecessary code.  There are programs that can do this for you, just make sure you double check everything still works before you upload the files.

Less server space needed

Obvious, but worth mentioning, the amount of server space needed is greatly reduced on simple designs, and this can save a lot of money if the site is extremely popular as it cuts down on bandwidth. 

The key to simple designs is simply to ask yourself a few questions about what you actually need to be on the site.  If you can’t think of a reason, don’t put it on there.  It’s that simple.


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