Creating a Website for Architects

Creating a Website for Architects

As an agency, EWM knows that each industry has its own idiosyncrasies, and when it comes to creating a website, certain features can make the difference and make it perform better than others.

In this article, we will analyse the process of creating websites for architects.

Creating websites for architects: Best practices for 2021

Creating a website for an architectural firm or for an individual professional is a real challenge. All too often, architects try to create their own websites. Our advice to you is this: don't go about this yourself, as you will end up wasting your time and money.

The launch of a web project for your architecture site should include these basic elements:

· Identify your ideal customer

· Identify the problems that you solve for them

This is very important and you must ensure your message emphasises the value that you bring to your clients.

That being said, we can immediately begin to ask ourselves a few questions, the first being: why do some sites perform better than others?

Website creation for architects

When you decide to create a site for your business, the first choice to make is whether to do it yourself, with the tools that the web puts at your disposal, or to contact a specialized agency.

Of course, a lot of things depend on your budget, but we want to emphasise that just because something is free (or very cheap) doesn’t necessarily mean you will generate savings.

What you can or must achieve is a high-quality website, which is only truly possible with the support of web development experts.

Website creation for architects, the best practices of 2021

Creating a website means undertaking a complex and delicate project, which cannot be left to inexperienced hands because, as we will see, serious and qualified professionals are required.

EWM, Geneva’s leading web development agency, specialises in the creation of unique, personalised websites.

If you are ready to begin designing your website, pay attention to these five factors to ensure your site's success.

1. Design first and foremost for mobile devices

We are no longer living in the days of desktops and laptops.

Mobile browsing has overtaken computer browsing. In fact, Google is now using mobile optimized design as a key search engine ranking factor.

It's easier for a browser to resize a small website on a desktop computer than the other way around.

An unoptimized site displays incorrectly on a smartphone or tablet, giving a poor user experience. This may also result in a higher bounce rate.

Think about your users, demand sites that are optimized on all mobile devices.

2. Prioritise speed

A modern web design should be optimized for fast loading.

While there is a great temptation to upload large, high-quality images to show off your project portfolio, large images take a long time to load and this inevitably means a loss of visitors.

EWM can provide you with the right solution, without compromising your site's loading speed!

3. Content is still king

Your website should be a showcase of your skills and abilities as an architect.

However, and contrary to popular belief, a portfolio of projects is not the best way to communicate this expertise.

The portfolio certainly answers the question of whether you can design quality work, but for most clients, aesthetics is only part of the reason they hire you.

They have more pressing questions, such as "how do you work", "what is the deadline", "what is the cost", and many other basic questions.

The more you can address the concerns of your target audience, the more time they will spend on your site and the more likely they will be to contact you.

FAQs, blogs, podcasts, videos and infographics

A good place to start is to write down typical questions you ask your clients when you start working with them. By answering these questions on your website, you will solve several problems at once:

· You will help them confirm that they have come to the right place.

· You will save time by answering the same questions each time.

· You'll attract more search engine traffic because these are the same questions customers typically ask when looking for answers on Google.

Content can take many forms, including blog posts, FAQs, podcasts, videos, infographics, slide shares, and many more ways to communicate your expertise. Find a format that works for you and try to add new content to your website regularly.

4. Design

Just like the design of a building, which should create a sense of harmony and coherence, the design of a website should do the same.

With an architect, it's more complicated, because he tries to translate his three-dimensional architectural style into a two-dimensional world.

This rarely has the desired effect and usually causes confusion among visitors.

Your website design should be a reflection of your brand, not a reprint of your work. If you haven't yet developed visual guidelines for your business brand, do so before you dive into website design. Keep it simple.

5. Clear messages

When someone visits your website, it is important to give them clear and concise messages.

Within ten seconds of visiting your site, people should know exactly what you are doing and who you are doing it for.

How to capture audience’s attention

Focus on the homepage

Your home page is where users will get a first look at your business, what type of business you are, what you do, and who you do it for.

The easiest way to communicate your message is to use eye-catching images and concise text.

For example, if your business specializes in custom residential architecture, make it the main message on the home page.

Show and tell

Now is the time to showcase your best work. Portfolios, case studies and client testimonials are good examples to put on the website. This helps establish credibility and trust.

Always include a call to action

Now that you've captured their attention, be sure to give them some hints on what to do next.

A simple "Contact us to get started" is usually the best way to get them to take action, and it gives you important information so you can stay in touch.

Seeking web design solutions?

At EWM, there is no one blueprint for building websites for architects.

We understand that each reality deserves special attention for its characteristics and unique qualities.

If you are looking for a web agency to create your website, we are on hand to support you.

We have created plenty of solutions for professionals across different cities throughout Europe, with a vast portfolio covering Paris, Geneva, Lausanne and much more!

Contact EWM today to discuss your architecture web design needs.