Best practice in web design

Good web design isn't just about visual appeal. It allows your visitors to find the information they need quickly, on any device, while ensuring your website meets accessibility and legal standards.

Whether you're developing a small business website, building an online shop or creating a web app, usability should be your top priority. A well-designed site improves user experience and trust, and helps your business perform better online.

In Northern Ireland, customer-facing business websites must comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). This means your website needs to be accessible to people with disabilities - for example, by supporting screen readers or allowing users to navigate with a keyboard.

This guide looks at web design best practices, taking the DDA into account. It tells you what to consider when planning your website, how to approach the main technical issues in web design, and design a user-friendly website.

Finally, it suggests best practices for accessible websites and designing for the mobile web.