If you’ve ever wondered whether a simple or complex website is better for you, I’m here to provide you with an answer. But first, let’s talk about why this even matters. In today’s online world, your website is a vital marketing tool every business should have. It’s essentially the best marketing employee you could ever hire. One that generates leads and sales 24/7. However, not all websites have the capability of doing this. Choosing a design that works for you and your brand will help decide whether your website is employee of the month, or needs to be fired ASAP. There’s no point in having an over-the-top website for the sake of being over-the-top. You’ll need to find a style that is consistent with your branding, while also keeping in mind how your customers will use and interact with your website. Both simple and complex web designs have their set of advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice will vary from business to business.

What makes a website simple:

• Simple layouts A simple website typically has a pretty clean layout in which the elements are organised in a way that is easy to view. Usually, it has clean and clear sections stating what each part of the content contains to make the content easy to read. These websites tend to steer away from avant-garde designs that have a bunch of unique features. You will find that a lot of simple websites make use of white space to make everything a touch more coherent. 
• Easy-to-read typography and clean colour palette: The colour palette and typography you use go a long way in how your site is perceived. An easy-to-read type and clear colour palette can help not only visually make your website a lot more cohesive, but also make it easier for the user to read your content.
• Direct Navigation: The navigation is straightforward, and usually links from the home page to another page. They include only essential links at the top and all other links are usually at the footer. This makes it easy for users to find the links that they need straight away.
• User-Focused Design: Typically simple web designs are centred around the user. This leads to a design that is extremely user-friendly and highly interactive. 

What makes a site complex:

• Features and functionalities: Complex websites are known for their feature-rich designs, and have a bunch of added features such as unique animations, e-commerce, custom post types, and user-generated content. 
• Bold visual elements: Bold visual elements such as videos and 3D graphics are common in complex sites. These elements are crucial in aiding the storytelling of a brand or website and can be a powerful tool in captivating your audience and catching their attention.
• Diverse Content Types: From articles and custom post types to FAQs and case studies, the content types are truly endless when it comes to complex websites and the types of content on the site.

Simple vs complex web design: Which is right for your business?

When it comes to deciding which is right for your business, there are several factors you need to consider:

• Budget: Your budget is one of the most important factors when it comes to which type of website you choose. Simple websites are a lot more budget-friendly due to the lack of advanced features. On the other hand, complex sites are on the expensive side, and the more complex you want your site to be, the more it’ll cost you.
• Customisation: Are you after a website that just shows your users the services you offer? Or are you after a little bit more such as e-commerce or custom post types? If the answer was yes to the first question, then a simple website will do just the trick. However, if you said yes to the second question then a complex site might just be the one for you. Understand what you really need out of your website, and plan all your pages beforehand to get a clearer idea of which is right for you.
• Your business goals: Your business goals should be at the forefront of every project you carry out. And the design of your website is no exception. Remember: Every business is different. So, what works for others may not work for you. Keep your audience in mind too so you can have the right balance between your business goals and your user’s needs. 
• User Engagement: This is all about how you’d like your users to interact with your website. Do you want them to create accounts, check out your social posts straight from your home page, or simply fill out your contact form? The level of user engagement determines the level of complexity of your website. The higher the level of engagement, the more complex your site will be.
• Features: As I mentioned above, complex websites are known for the amount of features they have. If your website requests functions such as user-generated content, cool animations, and eye-catching visual effects, then a complex website is the way forward. However, if you’re happy with a site that looks good and is easy for your user to navigate without any unnecessary features, you’re better off with a simple website.

Still confused about which one to pick? Find the perfect balance between your goals, user expectations, budget, and competition. You may also opt for a middle ground, a website that is complex but easy to navigate. Or a simple 4-page website that is jam-packed with unique features. Or you may also consider starting off with a simple site and then building your website gradually as your business grows (this is 100% what I recommend). However, if in doubt, ask a professional (aka me) to figure out which one’s best for you and why the other option may not work as well as you’d hoped it would. Get in touch today for a Free Website Review!