Is color Such a Big Deal in Web Design?

Yes, it is. Color is one of the powerful tools that you can use to drive traffic to your website. Think about it. What do you notice first whenever you visit a new website? The color loads first while you wait for the rest of the web page to load.

The color palette used gives your visitors an impression of your brand even before they read the text or watch any videos. In fact, the first question you are likely to get when seeking web designing and development in Kenya is the theme color(s) for your website. Designers understand the importance of picking the right colors.

Read on and learn the reasons why you need to give the color more attention when designing a website. We also offer a guide on how to pick the right colors for your business website.

The importance of color in web design

When thinking about the importance of colors in design, consider the psychology of your visitors. Colors are significant to the human mind in different ways. Colors communicate a specific message to the visitors even without the text. For instance, red communicates danger or a warning. It also represents passion and power.

If you choose green, your visitors will immediately think of the go sign, health, or the environment. Green is a good color to use when you want visitors to click on a button, which brings us to another use of color on a website. Colors highlight the call-to-action buttons and preempt the visitors to click on the buttons.

It is easier for the human mind to process and store images with colors. A black and white combination does not leave a lasting impression. By choosing the right combination of colors, you enhance brand recognition in your target market. The visitors to your website will always associate the color combination with your brand if you are consistent with the theme.

Colors do not only have different meanings but are associated with different emotions. For example, orange is a warm color that gives your website a friendly appeal to the users. Yellow is associated with joy and is likely to spark a jovial mood. It is a great color to use if your target market is young people or teenagers.

How to choose the right colors for your website

The easiest way to get colors right is to consult a company that specializes in web designing and development in Kenya. However, if you have a website or a limited budget, you may have to choose the colors on your own. Sometimes you need to guide the internal web designers on the best color palette to use on your website. Consider the following when picking colors for your website:

1. Branding

Every marketing tactic starts and stops with the brand you want to build in your niche. If you have already created one, start with the colors that your customers know. You can introduce new colors but be sure to maintain at least one basic color that your existing customers know.

If you realize that you chose the wrong color palette from the start, you can rebrand your business. However, you must invest in a campaign on all platforms to inform your clients of the new look. Remain consistent with your new color palette. If you have a strong brand in the market, changing to a better color palette may create the impression of an improvement in the quality of services or products.

2. Target customers

What kind of services or products does your business offer? Who are your target customers? You may like a certain combination of colors but the palette may be wrong for your target audience or type of business. For instance, if you are offering health services to clients, the colors on your website should offer some form of relief or calm to your visitors.

For fun activities that target adventurous clients, think of bright colors that communicate excitement and joy. The strategy here is to think about the persona of your audience and the emotional reaction that may get the audience to buy your product or services. Chose a combination of colors based on the identified persona.

3. Harmony

You may need the help of a qualified web designed on this one if you have not studied color theory extensively. If you use too many competing colors, the result is eye fatigue. Your visitors will feel overwhelmed and probably move on to another website. Using too many colors is also confusing in terms of branding. Which colors do you use in your marketing campaigns?

Choose one dominant color to take the largest part of your website. You can then add pop colors to highlight some important parts such as call-to-action buttons. Choose neutral colors in the background of content and in the empty spaces.

4. Trends

The reason for investing in web design is to stay ahead of your competitors in your niche. You cannot achieve such a goal with an outdated website. Have you been following the color trends in your industry? Analyzing the trend can help you predict the next big thing.

Be the first to create a fresh and impressive website that appeals to your target customers. You may be tempted to stick to your favorite colors but your competitors may overtake you with trendy colors.

5. Action

Color can prompt web visitors to quick action. Highlight the parts that need action such as Contact Us, Subscribe, or Order buttons with popping colors that balance with your dominant color. Red buttons prompt internet users to play videos. You can adopt the same on your website.

You can also use a popping color to highlight important features such the logo, mission statement, or range of services. A common trend is to use the dominant color in the banner, which has the most important information about your business.

Final thoughts

Color is a powerful tool when used properly on a website. Talk to professionals that offer reliable services in web designing and development in Kenya. It is easy to brand your business and attract more customers with the right color palette.

10 Worst Web Design Mistakes to Avoid At All Costs In 2019

Do you like the performance of your website? Are you unhappy with the number of visitors you get in a day and high bounce rates? Well, before you give up on it, check what you could be doing wrong. You could be making some big mistakes that are pushing visitors away before learning about your business.

Before we look at the worst mistakes that you must avoid, let us make one point clear. Website developers in Kenya will tell you that design is not just about the outlook of your website. Design covers its functionality as well. How easy is it for visitors to navigate through the web pages and find the information they need?

With this in mind, let us discuss the top mistakes you must correct immediately.

1. The website takes more than 3 seconds to load

Before we can talk about the content or layout of your website, consider the loading time. Web users expect almost instant results when they search for information. If the website does not load in 3 to 4 seconds, they will simply move back to the search results. If you have not thought about it, conduct a speed test right away.

If the speed is slow, check the reason why each page takes time to load. Large files slow down the loading time of the web pages. Ask a developer to review the entire website and minimize the files that are slowing it down. You may need to get rid of some media content.

2. Unclear information about your company’s mission/vision

Once you sort the issue of speed, your visitors can now open the landing page. Right from the logo to the design on the header, a visitor should tell what your business sells or supplies. Be intention with the content, especially on the home page. Visitors develop an opinion about your business in five seconds or less. What does your website say about your company?

3. The website is not mobile-friendly

The majority of internet users search for information on their mobile devices. If you designed the website a while back and optimized it for a website, you need to test the mobile experience. Website developers in Kenya can help redesign the website and make it mobile friendly. You are losing all the visitors that have had a bad mobile experience to your competitors.

4.  Lack of a persuasive and clear call to action

What do you want visitors to do after visiting your website? Call the business? Order for products? Share content on social platforms? Without a clear call to action, visitors will see your services or products and move on. Consequently, your conversion rates will be low. Ensure that the call to action button is visible and functional.

5. Large blocks of text without sub-headings

You may have great content on your website but the reality is that web users do not read through until they are interested. Most of them read the headings to decide if the content is useful or not. Check the content on each page and introduce headings where necessary to improve the reading experience.

6. Multiple links that open in new windows

Internal links help visitors to navigate the pages on your website easily. However, if most of the links open in new windows, visitors get tired of following the new tabs. The experience is worse when a visitor is using a mobile device to access your website. The moment they discover that the “back” button is missing, the visitors will shut everything down. You do not want such an experience for your target clients. Talk to website developers in Kenya if you have such a problem on your website.

7. Placing social media icons at the top

 Social media is a powerful tool for marketing your business. In fact, it is part of the effective SEO and marketing strategies. However, you have to do it right to get good results. Placing social media icons at the top creates an immediate distraction. Visitors will click on the button and may never come back to the website. Place such buttons at the bottom to give visitors room to explore your website.

8. Tiny buttons and links

Ever tried to click on a button but it was too small? It is annoying when a link or button is too small to click with a finger. We cannot emphasize the importance of a mobile friendly website further. Small buttons and links are often optimized for mouse clinks but the reality is that many users will try to click with a finger. Make the buttons and links large enough to click easily on a mobile phone.

9. Invisible contact information

Visitors expect to see the contact information of your business on the homepage. Some visit the website not to read but to find a number to call or the location of your business. Such information must be accurate and visible on your website. Indicate your working hours and provide an alternative way of reaching your business after the working hours. For instance, you can ask the visitors to send an email or a message when your chat button is unavailable.

10. Choosing the wrong font and colors

Did you know that visitors could leave your website within seconds because of a poor choice of color? The colors you choose give your website a personality. How do you want your visitors to feel about your business? Here is another mistake to avoid, a tiny font that makes the text unreadable. The right combination of color and font will encourage visitors to stay on your website and visit other pages.

Our final thoughts

Websites require constant testing and redesign to give users the best experience possible. You may need to change the entire outlook and functionality of your website if you find a number of mistakes outlined above. Getting the right web design starts with the right choice of designers. Do not settle for low conversion rates and high bounce rates. Let top website developers in Kenya help you improve the experience of your target clients.

The Top 10 Apps in Kenya as Ranked by Leading App Developers

Everywhere you go you will find Kenyans busy on their smartphones. Mobile service providers have been responding to this trend with flexible and affordable data bundles. What are Kenyans staring at for hours every daily? The leading app developers in Kenya have ranked the most downloaded apps in the country.

1. Facebook

Facebook remains the most popular social platform around the world. Kenyans have maintained the same trend for several years now. The network continues to gain popularity even after other social networks have been introduced. Facebook provides an easy way to connect with family and friends. However, a good number of Kenyans are using the platform for business. In fact, some sell their products and services exclusively on Facebook and make a living out of it. The app makes it easier to follow up with conversations with clients and monitor orders.

2. Whatsapp Messenger

A new wave of free Whatsapp has hit the market for mobile services because of its popularity. Unlike the traditional text messages, Whatsapp allows users to share photos and videos easily. With free Whatsapp, Kenyans can now share endless videos or photos with their friends. The app has also come in handy when holding virtual meetings. Whatsapp groups enable teams to hold virtual meetings, which save time and costs of holding physical meetings. In addition, Kenyans are also using the app to share images of their products with clients and build relationships. Some companies opt to add their clients to a Whatsapp group to keep them updated on their products or services.

3. Instagram

Instagram is another popular social network that has retained a high rank in the Kenyan market. The app has many functions but is mostly used to share photos and short videos clips. You will find users advertising on the app, especially new music videos and product photos. Instagram is popular with the young generation that enjoys sharing their lives on social media. Young adults document the most important moments in their daily lives in photos and videos and upload them on Instagram for their followers.

4. Branch

The times of queuing in banks to borrow small amounts are long gone. Branch has come to the rescue of many Kenyans who run out of cash in the middle of the month. After downloading the app, users can borrow money and pay within days, weeks or a month. The owners of Branch use the customer’s data on previous mobile money transactions to determine the amount to lend. Users can increase their loan limit by repaying on time. App developers in Kenya get multiple requests to develop loan apps because of their popularity in the market.

5. Tala Kenya

Tala is an alternative loan app that equally popular in Kenya. It functions the same way as Branch but the interest rates and repayment plans are slightly different. The loan limits may be different on the two apps even if the providers use the same data to issue loans. Most Kenyans borrow loans from both apps at the same time or use the loan from one to repay the other. With the current economic challenges in the country, the popularity of loan apps is expected. The high unemployment rate has led to a high dependence on loans even for basic needs.

6. Google

Google has become the first resort for all problems. Searching for information on a mobile device is easier with the Google app. Google is still the most popular browser and installing the app gives mobile phone users a better experience. The popularity of the browsers opens a platform for companies to advertise their products. It is hard to use any app without ads popping up every few seconds. Kenyans also use Google to follow the latest news in the country and around the world.

7. Messenger

Facebook owners provide an alternative way of chatting on the platform. The Messenger app has transformed the way of communicating on Facebook. Many people spend a lot of time chatting other than going through their news feed. Messenger serves this category of Facebook users and provides a platform to interact without the interruption of new status updates. The app is also popular among business owners because of the instant notifications of new messages from clients.

8. Facebook Lite

The Facebook app uses a large part of the storage space in a mobile device and has a high data consumption rate. The constant updates on the newsfeed use lots of data, which is expensive. Kenyans opt for Facebook Lite, which is low in data consumption and lighter than the Facebook App. The interface has similar features at the Facebook App but graphics are slightly different. For Facebook users that are keen on data consumption, Facebook Lite is the perfect app.

9. Uber

Uber is a popular taxi service in different parts of the world. Its entrance to the Kenyan market transformed the transport industry, especially for the segment that uses taxis almost every day. Kenyans can get an affordable taxi ride via the Uber app. The app saves users the pain of walking around looking for a taxi and negotiating the cost. The cost varies with the time of the journey. Both the driver and rider can track the cost throughout the journey. At the destination, the rider uses the integrated payment method to pay for the ride.

10. Taxify

Taxify is an alternative taxi app that is considered as Uber’s top competitor in the Kenyan market. The two apps function in the same way but Taxify rides are slightly cheaper. Consequently, Taxify drivers earn lower commissions than Uber drivers. Despite the difference in earnings, Taxify is gaining popularity among taxi drivers. The good thing about the taxi apps is that drivers can switch on and off the network when unavailable to work.

The list of top apps in the country is not just a show of popularity but an indication of the needs in the market. You can use the list to come up with a new idea and actualize it with the help of top app developers in Kenya. Sometimes improving on an existing idea has better results than initiating a new product in the market. For instance, you can develop an alternative app to any of the listed apps with better and differentiated features.

Does Your Business Really Need An App?

Business owners feel the pressure to keep up with every new trend in the market. Some realize when it is too late that their investment was unnecessary. Mobile devices have become reasonably cheap and this has increased the number of potential app users. Every business wants to reach this market with an app or a mobile-friendly website.

Google Play Store was launched in 2008 and five years later (2013), the store had a million apps. By December 2018, the store had about 2.6 million apps. The second largest app store, Apple’s App Store had almost 2 million by the close of 2018 (Statista). The numbers are likely to double in the next five years.

Before you hire mobile solution developers in Kenya for a new business app, you need to consider these numbers. Your app will be competing with millions of other apps. That said, your business is serving a specific niche. Hence, you do not need every smartphone owner to download your app but those who fall within your target market.

So, how do you determine if you need to invest in an app or continue using your website? Ask the following questions:

1. Will the app solve a problem?

What value will your app add to your customers? Smartphone users are always trying new apps, especially after launch. However, the app will remain unused for months if it does not solve any problem. Before you develop an app, think about the pain points of current and target customers.

An app should make it easier, fast, and convenient for customers to access your products or services. Consider the processes in your business that the app can automate. For instance, some of the best performing apps enable users to order and pay for products via mobile money services. Clients get products at the doorstep with just a few clicks on their mobile device.

You do not need to replicate the functions on your website on a mobile app. A good app should provide a better and unique experience that users cannot get on your site. Such an app is easier to market, especially if your customers are accustomed to using your website.

2. Do you have a mobile-friendly website?

The need to keep up with the app development trend is understandable. However, you must get the basics right before reaching out to your customers with a new platform. Is your website mobile friendly? How many visitors do you get every hour, day, or week? Do the visitors return or visit more than one page?

Check the insights for the website and test the experience on a mobile phone. Much as an app gives you traction with your customers, you still need a functional website. Some phone users still prefer websites because of the storage space and data that apps consume. Talk to mobile solution developers in Kenya if your website needs some changes.

3. Does your business rely on data?

Every business requires data to measure its effectiveness and performance in different periods. However, some type of businesses requires data more than others do. Such businesses have a tedious task of transferring customers data from desktops to mobile devices. For instance, delivery services get clients from their websites, social media, and other platforms.

The process of transferring client data from these sources to mobile devices is tedious. If your business has a similar challenge, an app is necessary. You can synchronize processes and generate customer data easily when your clients use an app to access your services or products.

4. Do you have or intend to launch a loyalty program?

Loyalty programs are among the effective marketing strategies that businesses use to retain their customers. Rewarding your repeat customers shows your appreciation of their business. Rewards will bring new customers as well. Mobile apps provide an easy way of launching and managing a loyalty program.

It is easy to generate real-time reports from a mobile app. You can reward users for purchasing products using the app or recommending it to others. The data from the app will help you send out the points, discounts, or any other reward in real-time. For instance, if you offering cash rewards, you can integrate Mpesa into your app and send instant rewards.

5. Do your competitors use apps?

Every business owner dreams of setting the pace in the industry. While your business strategy is unique, you cannot ignore your competitors. You may be leading today but if you do not keep with the latest trends, other businesses will soon overtake you.

Check the top five competitors’ strategy in using mobile apps. Are they using apps? How do their apps function? How many downloads have they scored on app stores? You cannot succeed in business without analyzing numbers. If clients are downloading and using their apps, you need to get in touch with mobile solution developers in Kenya. immediately.

6. Does your business require user-generated content?

Most businesses develop content for their website and social media internally. An alternative strategy is to allow your clients to participate in content creation. If you are already running such a strategy or intend to try it out, an app will help you achieve your goal. Think about content such as photos and videos that users can share on your online platforms.

It is also effective to run a campaign with a mobile app. Once you launch the campaign, you can request users to share it on their platforms for a reward. Since most smartphone users spend hours on apps every day, the prompts will persuade them to share or participate in the campaign.

Final remarks

Developing a mobile app is a great idea but you must do your homework well before taking the leap. The goal of having an app is to deliver additional value to your customers and business. If the response to all or most of the questions above is yes, then you need to identify mobile solution developers in Kenya. Develop a customized app that serves the needs of your clients and give them a better experience when interacting with your business.

How to Use Web Design to Build a Strong Brand

Are you trying to make your brand more visible online? Well, web design is one of the key strategies that many website owners ignore. You must consider design as a branding strategy when hiring website developers in Kenya. A strong brand does not only help you to attract new customers to your business but also turn them into repeat customers.

Where does web design come in when building a brand? The internet has provided new platforms for customers to search information about companies or service providers. Your target clients will first search for your website online, check your product range, and compare your prices with your competitors.

Before a customer places an order or calls your company, the customer has an idea about your brand. Your website becomes the first impression of your business that customers get. We share a few tips on how to use design to establish a strong brand in the market.

1. Choose the right color

The first thing that visitors notice about your website is your choice of colors. Every color has a specific meaning or effect on your visitors. For instance, most people associate the green color with health or the environment. Orange creates a fun theme while blue communicate calmness.

The right color depends on your products or services and target market. For instance, if you are selling luxurious products such as watches or jewelry, black and gold are great colors to use on your website. If your target market consists of young people or the millennials, orange is a good choice.

2. Redesign your logo

From the colors, the visitors will start to look for your logo. The internet has many free logos but it is risky to go for a free logo. Thousands of other business owners around the world have access to the free logos as well. Hire website developers in Kenya to design a unique and professional logo for your business.

Ensure that the logo is visible. The top left corner is the recommended location for a logo. You can add a value proposition below or beside the logo depending on the design. Combining the two communicates to the visitors what your brand is about even before they scroll to other pages.

3. Connect with your audience’s feelings

Top brands across the globe have mastered this strategy with their websites. You can do the same and increase your brand visibility. How do you want your audience to feel when they see or hear about your brand? The design should bring pleasant emotions to your audience.

Your choice of color will help you stir up the emotions you desire. For instance, hospitals use pale shades of green to calm their patients. If you must use formal colors, consider using media on your website to connect with your audience.

Add interesting video clips or images that market your brand or products. Keep the videos short and small in terms of size to improve the loading time. If the videos or images take too long to load, your hard-earned visitors will leave.

4. Choose the right language

Web design goes beyond colors and the layout of web pages. The major reason why visitors come to your website is information and not the layout. Hence, how you present the information is important. Study your target audience to determine the right language to use. Have website developers in Kenya check your current language and advise on the best approach.

A casual language works for the youth but the older generation prefers a formal language. You can use a playful language in a way that captures the interest of all clients. Balance between the playful and formal languages. Avoid jargon, hard vocabularies, and offensive words. Consider the preferences of different cultures as well.

5. Add a personality to your brand

What personality can your audience associate with your brand? Add some character to it or anthropomorphic elements. The term simply means that you give human traits or qualities to objects or animals. A good example of anthropomorphism is the little bird that is synonymous with Twitter.

Think of a character or personality that suits your brand. The key thing is to assure your clients that they can rely on your brand for quality services or products.  Clients should associate your company with honesty, fairness, and safety as well.

6. Be consistent

Your goal is to communicate the same message about your brands to all customers at all times. Hence, you must be consistent with your choice of colors, font, graphics, and layout. Avoid sending mixed signals to your visitors. If you are communicating or selling a luxurious or high-end brand, maintain the same theme.

Consistency helps in creating a memorable brand. The moment a client sees a certain combination of graphics, colors, and font, your brand should immediately come to mind. Using a consistent design helps you improve the load time as well. You will be reusing the same images and graphics, which makes it faster for visitors to load pages.

7. Be unique

All the tips given above will mean nothing if you turn your website or brand into a cheap copy of your competitors. You are trying to outdo your competitors. You can learn from them but not copy their ideas. It is confusing to your clients if your brand looks similar to another brand. Worse still, the customers may consider you as the cheap copy even if your products or services are of a higher quality.

When talking to your web designer, insist on a unique and consistent design. If you fail to do so, the designer may give a template that all companies in your industry use. The right designer will create a unique brand based on your product and target market.

Final thoughts

Creating a good website that communicates the right message and impression of your brand takes time. Website owners try different themes, graphics, and even colors before getting it right. Take time to think through the type of brand that you intend to create or market. Working with reliable website developers in Kenya ensures that you the latest designs with the personality of your brand.