Web Design Tips That Few People Know In the fast-paced world of web design, trends evolve quickly, and best practices are often repeated so much that they start to feel like common sense. Everyone knows that websites should be mobile-friendly, fast-loading, and user-focused. But what about the lesser-known techniques — the subtle design choices and behind-the-scenes strategies that can quietly elevate your website from good to outstanding? Here are five web design tips that most people don’t talk about, but are followed by a good web design company in Austin, TX 1. Design for Cognitive Load, Not Just Aesthetics Most designers focus on making a site visually appealing — but few consciously design to reduce cognitive load . This term refers to the amount of mental effort required for a user to interact with your website. Even a beautifully designed site can be mentally exhausting if it demands too much thinking from the user. How to apply it: ● Use consistent layouts so users do n’t need to relearn page structures. ● Limit choices. Fewer options reduce decision fatigue and lead to faster action. ● Prioritize clarity over cleverness in menus and calls to action. A good example is Apple’s website—it’s sleek, yes, but more importantly, it’s easy to navigate. Simplicity isn’t just pretty—it’s strategic. 2. Invisible Micro interactions Matter More Than You Think Most people overlook micro interactions — tiny animations or changes that occur when a user performs an action (hovering, clicking, or swiping). While they may seem trivial, these subtle details create a more engaging and intuitive user experience. A good web design company in Austin, TX, can help you with such features. Why it’s powerful: ● Microinteractions offer immediate feedback, reinforcing that the site is responsive. ● They guide the user through actions subtly, often replacing clunky instructions or labels. For instance, a heart icon that gently pulses when clicked on a product page does more than look good — it confirms that the item has been “liked,” eliminating the need for text. These enhancements make users feel in control and confident while using your site. 3. Custom 404 Pages Can Keep Users Around A 404 error page — when a user lands on a broken or non-existent page — is usually seen as a dead end. But savvy designers know that this is actually an opportunity to retain a user rather than lose them. What most don’t do: ● Most 404 pages are generic and unhelpful. But a well-designed one can: ○ Offer a search bar. ○ Provide links to top content or products. ○ Include humor or brand personality to soften frustration. Airbnb and GitHub have famously clever 404 pages that feel like part of the brand experience — not a mistake. Treat your 404 like a landing page, not an error message. 4. Readability Beats Creativity When It Comes to Fonts Custom fonts and typography can give a website a unique personality. But readability — especially on mobile devices — is often sacrificed for style. Few designers take the time to rigorously test how readable their text is across screen sizes and lighting conditions. Underrated techniques: ● Use tools like Google Fonts or Adobe Fonts that are optimized for web readability. ● Check font contrast in light and dark modes. ● Ensure line spacing (1.4 – 1.6x font size) and paragraph width (45 – 75 characters) meet usability standards. A visually striking font may look great in a mockup, but if users can’t comfortably read a blog post or product description, they’re likely to bounce. That’s why it is important to hire a good web design company in Austin, TX, for such features. 5. Users Don’t Scroll Like You Think They Do It’s a myth that users never scroll. In reality, they do— but only if the design encourages it. Designers often fail to "tease" content below the fold, leaving the user unsure if there’s more to see. Or worse, the content abruptly ends with no visual cue for continuation. How to fix it: ● Use scroll indicators or visual cutoffs (like partially visible images or headings) to hint at more content. ● Animate or stagger content entry to create momentum. ● Break long content into digestible chunks with clear section headers, icons, or alternating backgrounds. The goal is to give the user a reason to keep going, like breadcrumb trails for the eyes. A well-designed scroll experience can dramatically improve engagement and time on site.