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Appearances do matter – discussing design

The Importance of Design: Enhancing Your Brand’s Impact

Effective design plays a crucial role in business success — professionally crafted sales materials can boost conversion rates by as much as 20%.

When businesses attempt to create their own materials to save a few bucks, they often overlook accessibility and inadvertently diminish their conversion potential. Common pitfalls include:

  • Cluttered designs
  • Insufficient color contrast
  • Text that blends into images and becomes hard to read
  • Small font sizes
  • Overly lengthy blocks of text

This isn’t meant to criticize, but rather to highlight a concern that can undermine credibility.

While there’s no substitute for professional design, if you choose to design yourself, please start by reviewing your brand guidelines (I hope you have those!) and familiarize yourself with accessible design principles and best practices for the specific platforms and mediums you’re using. Taking these steps can greatly benefit both you and your audience.

2 Comments

  • You make an excellent point about the importance of professional design in sales materials. Investing in quality design not only enhances visual appeal but also plays a critical role in accessibility, which can significantly impact a brand’s credibility and conversion rates. It’s true that DIY designs often overlook crucial elements like readability and user experience.

    While using tools like Canva can be tempting for cost-saving reasons, brands should prioritize their message’s clarity and accessibility. Referring to brand guidelines and understanding best practices for design can lead to more effective communication. Ultimately, a polished presentation reflects professionalism and respect for your audience, making it well worth the investment. Thanks for highlighting these important considerations!

  • Great insights! I’d like to emphasize that beyond the visual aesthetics, accessibility greatly impacts user experience and conversions. Implementing contrast ratios compliant with WCAG standards, choosing legible typography, and organizing content with clear hierarchy not only enhance accessibility but also reinforce your brand’s professionalism. Additionally, leveraging tools like readability checkers and user testing can help identify potential issues early on. Investing in professional design or even consulting with accessibility experts can ultimately save time and resources by preventing costly reworks and ensuring your message reaches a wider audience effectively. Thanks for highlighting these important considerations!

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