7 Website Design Tips for Your Interpretation Business

Does website design really matter? If your content is great, shouldn’t everything else just fall into place?

It’s not quite that simple!

It’s true that quality content is important. But, if your content is not displayed in a way that’s easy for people to read, they’re not going to want to spend a lot of time on your website.

People are also less like to trust your interpretation business if you don’t have a well-designed website.

A study conducted by researchers at Stanford University found that 75 percent of web users made judgments about a company’s credibility based solely on the design of their website!

If you want people to believe your interpretation business is the real deal, you need to make sure your website design sends the right message.

Designing Your Interpretation Business Website

These seven tips will help you create the perfect website for your business.

1. Keep Text Short

Try to limit the amount of text on your website. People have short attention spans and want to get straight to the point wherever they go.

When you do use text — for contact forms, lists of services, etc. — be sure to avoid long paragraphs and huge blocks. No matter how interesting or important the information in these paragraphs is, nobody is going to want to sift through all of it.

All text on your website should be short and easily digestible. Bullet points are great for keeping content organized and easy-to-read.

2. Avoid Clutter

Simplicity is key when it comes to website design. A cluttered layout will distract users and overwhelm them.

Clutter will also send a message about the way your business is run. People will likely assume that a disorganized website is an extension of a disorganized, unprofessional business.

Keep things as simple as possible to avoid such negative perceptions of your business.

If you’re not sure which information should stay and what should go, take a step back and think about the goal of your website. What do you want people to do when they visit it?

Make sure there’s nothing on your site that will distract visitors from the ultimate goal, whether it’s signing up for a service or setting up a free consultation.

You’ll also want to make sure your site’s backend is as simple as its front end. Limit the number of styles or JavaScript effects you use, and choose a simple content management system (CMS) to keep things running as smoothly as possible.

3. Make Your Interface Predictable

A predictable interface is another essential component of good web design. A well-designed interface can help the people who visit your website avoid what’s known as “analysis paralysis.”

If there are too many choices, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and end up doing nothing at all.

To avoid this, give visitors a clear path to follow when they visit your site.

Make it easy to use with clear labels for each page. People don’t want to have to dig around for information; if they have to search too long for contact information or prices, they’ll probably end up just taking their business elsewhere.

4. Use the Right Colors

The colors you use in your website design can significantly impact the messages you send about your interpretation business.

Blue is often associated with feelings of trust and loyalty, so it’s a popular color among all kinds of businesses. Black and grey are also associated with power and formality.

Think carefully about the emotions you what users to experience when they visit your website and choose colors that align with those emotions.

5. Limit Your Typefaces

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to the number of typefaces you should use when designing your website. But, it’s generally a good idea to limit yourself to just one or two.

Featuring too many different typefaces can make your website look messy and unprofessional, two words you never want used to describe any part of your business.

When it comes to the text on your website, it’s also important to make sure it’s easy to read. Stick to clear, simple fonts and make sure the text is big enough for anyone to read. Avoid a font color that is too close to the page’s background color, too.

6. Provide Social Proof

A design principle that is applicable to all kinds of businesses is the importance of providing visitors with social proof.

Testimonials and client reviews are good examples of social proof. Essentially, you’re backing up the claims about what your interpretation business can provide by showcasing people’s real-life experiences with your services.

When choosing testimonials to feature on your website, look for ones that are detailed, honest, and include a client’s name and title. These extra details add more weight and increase the likelihood that a visitor will believe them.

You can also prove your business’s credibility by displaying badges, awards, and professional associations. Seeing that your business is associated with a well-known person or organization will make visitors take you seriously and increase their interest in paying for your services.

7. Attach a Face to the Name

Another way you can establish credibility is to include photos and biographical information about yourself and your colleagues.

People are more likely to trust you and hire you as their interpreter if they can put a face to your name.

When you’re putting content up on your site, including employee bios, be sure to thoroughly proofread it before publishing. Grammar errors, broken links, and inaccurate information will seriously hurt your credibility.

It’s worth it to take the time to check for spelling and grammar mistakes. If your website features content in more than one language, be sure you check for errors in all languages. This is especially important for an interpretation business!