How often have you come across a website that looks plain and lacks visual appeal? Maybe not so much anymore, but not too long ago Web developers around the world were whipping out websites left and right as fast as they could without thinking how visual elements play a role in a websites success.

Let’s put your site to the test. Go to your website and take a brief gander. Now, close your eyes for three seconds and then open them. What is the first thing your eyes are drawn to? Whatever the object may be, it is a focal point on your website. The focal point of this blog, for example, is the logo and the dark gray bar that goes across the top. These kinds of visual elements stand out from the rest and lead your sites visitors to different areas.

That’s why it’s important to think about how Web design affects Web usability. Something as simple as an effective color scheme can make or break Web conversions. Here’s a classic example of a website that’s living in the stone age. What I find interesting is that I can’t look at anything else but the moving yellow ad on the right hand side of the page. Every time I try and read something I’m drawn away by the in-your-face ad. These stand-out images and moving objects are very annoying to internet users out there, young and old alike.

Sometimes you get the itch to use that bright neon green and pink, but please I beg you stay away from anything that can be perceived as distracting. Otherwise, it’s almost a garauntee that you will lose potential customers.