A good website is just not about the design and layout, rather it is also about the content that is updated there. Likewise, plain content doesn't make a website and it has to have an attractive, visually appealing design and layout. So, which one is more important for the success of the website? Content or Design?
Website design comprises of the final visual interface design and the layout of the web pages. It should be noted that it is different from interactive design or information architecture. Website content requires a sound understanding of types of content and thorough information about what needs to be delivered to the website audiences. It is also important to know what the website visitors are looking for on the website and satisfying their requirements.
Website Design
The designing of a website generally starts by establishing a business objective to the website, deciding on the functionality requirements, determining the target audience and strategizing accordingly. All the design elements, be it the logo, the navigation bar or the structure of web pages revolve around these determined objectives. The starting of the website designing process doesn't involve too much of content. In fact, the site map includes the list of generic pages like Homepage, About Us, Products & Services, Contact Us etc. This generally follows a standard structure and poses no problem or issue regarding addition of new pages. You can just add new pages and update whatever you need to be placed on the website. Content comes in very late in the process. After website has been designed and the structure of the web pages have been finalized, the addition of content is considered. However, often it happens that many issues creep up during this stage. This is because if you are loaded with too much content and your web pages fail to accommodate all of it, you have to cut short it. For example, you might have a bunch of short testimonials that need to be placed on the website but the Testimonials page doesn't have space enough for the same. However, if there is enough space on the web pages, you can seek to include them all. Thus, in case of smaller websites, design probably has more importance than content. This is because content inclusion becomes dependent on the website design and layout.
Website Content
Content takes a precedence over the design where there is an overhaul of information like in case of larger websites. In case of large websites, there is too much information that needs to be handled. There can be online information and offline information waiting to go online. In such cases, the sheer volume of content outweighs the design and becomes the driving force of the design and development process. When a website is designed around its content, it guarantees a better and enriched user-experience. This is where it gets important for a website designer to efficiently understand the contents of a website in addition of its goals and objective before starting the design and development process. Only then can one seek to design robust website the design and layout of which completely complements the content of the same. The idea is to create a seamless balance between the two elements.
