Recent studies show that it takes around 2.5 seconds for a websites user’s eye to settle on key areas of a website. According to the team at Google, the average consumer forms an opinion about a website in 50 milliseconds or less. Often times, these opinions have a lot to do with the visual appeal that the website in question has.
One of the main things a new visitor to your website will notice is the font being used. Choosing the best font for a website is far more challenging than you probably realize. Choose a font that is too common and your website may appear “run of the mill” or “boring”. Select a font that is too left of center and it may alienate users.
So how do you choose the perfect font style for a website? Check out the tips below to get the answers you are looking for.
Don’t Try to Reinvent the Wheel
Having a unique looking website is usually one of the main concerns business owners and entrepreneurs have. While being original is important, you want to avoid getting too weird with your fonts. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to website fonts, you should probably stick to a few basic design principles like:
- Embrace serif and sans serif font categories- If you are using the WordPress platform for creating a website there are many themes with a modern font style, but these unique styles are generally from two main typefaces; serif and sans-serif. For years, website designers have used these font categories due to their uniformity and appeal.
- Be mindful of the space around your text- Not only will you need to focus on choosing the right typeface, you will also have to be mindful of the space around your text. The term “kerning” is used to describe the amount of space around letter pairs. The term “leading” is the amount of space between the text and lines on your website. Making sure both of these elements are easy on the eyes is important.
- The readability and contrast of the text- As you start to cycle through the different font options on your website, be sure to assess the readability factor. If a font makes the text too jumbled, it can cause readability issues for the user. You also need to make sure the contrast of the font in question fits well with the background of your website.
By sticking to these basic principles, you can start to narrow down the list of fonts at your disposal.
Consider the Page Tone and Message
Keeping your bounce rate numbers acceptable will require you to create engaging and informative content. The font that you use to bring this text to life should match the tone and message of the webpage in question. If the content you developed has a tinge of boldness and brashness, your font should match this attitude.
Some burgeoning web designers get a case of sensory overload when attempting to go through each and every font option on a particular site. You can avoid this problem by using the tone of the content as a way to pick fonts. As you try to choose the font for your website, ask yourself things like:
- How in sync is the mood of the lettering versus the words on the page?
- Do you need lighter or bold text to get your point across?
- Will the font in question pair well with the images on the page?
- Is the project you are working on classified as casual or formal?
The answers to these questions can help you greatly when trying to narrow down the large list of available fonts at your disposal.
Web Font Services Can Be Helpful
As you begin to sort through the font options on the market, be sure to keep web browser compatibility in mind. Modern web browsers get updated on a regular basis. Choosing a font that can be used on multiple browsers and on a number of different devices is essential.
If you are looking for a way to make font compatibility easier, then using a web font service is a great idea. Services like Google Fonts, Fontspring and Adobe Typekit can help you avoid technical issues with your font selections.
When using a font service, you can get access to thousands of font options. This means you will not have to spend tons of money on a number of different fonts on your website. Keep in mind that the typefaces offered by these services work well online, but may not be functional if used on printed projects.
A Fast-Loading Website is Essential
Did you realize that if your website takes longer than 3 seconds to load, it can lead to you losing over half of your visitors? Instead of losing potential sales leads, you need to do all you can to keep your website fast and functional. Before settling on a particular font for your website, test it for speed.
Most of the font services mentioned previously have tools to help you perform this testing. Reducing font load times is easy if you abide by rules such as:
- Limit the number of typefaces used.
- Select only typefaces that you plan on using in the future.
- Be mindful of how many font languages you have downloaded.
While testing fonts for speed may be time-consuming, it is definitely worth the effort you invest.
There is Nothing Wrong With Being Selective
Creating a unique website look is more challenging than most business owners realize. If your main goal is creating an original design, then being selective with the fonts used is important.
The Typewolf website can help you avoid common and popular fonts. This website ranks the top 10 most popular font options being used in each category. With this information, you should be able to choose a font style that is completely original.
Being Patient Pays Off
Some tech entrepreneurs get so wrapped up in their quest for being first to market that they make rushed website design decisions. Instead of rushing through the development of your website, take your time to ensure each and every design element is perfect before launch.
