Why an Effective 'About' Page is Important in Web Design

The 'about' page is usually the second place new visitors go to on your website, after your homepage. As an element of your web design, the about page is very important because it is the greatest opportunity you have for giving your website a human face and reassuring the visitor that your business is accessible and friendly. It is therefore important that particular attention is paid to the web design of the about page, so that users, once perusing it, are eager to explore the rest of your site. All the usual website design standards apply to the about page, as well as some specific guidelines which need to be kept in mind.

When the visitor to your website clicks over to the about page, they are looking for web design elements that present the human face of your business. An easy way to build trust through your website design is to include photos of your staff, your offices or your shop-front. It should be noted, too, that stock photos simply won't cut it on the about page. Hiring a professional photographer to create sleek, web design compatible images of your staff will be well worth the effort.

All visual elements of the web page design need to be formulated with the aim of presenting a friendly welcome to the user. While many businesses use their home page to welcome their visitor, and the about page to drily describe their mission statement or business objectives, a more useful way of approaching the web design can be to use the home page as a tool for enticing the visitor, and the about page for welcoming.

The way you write your introductory description on your about page is also vitally important to the success of your web design as a whole. The description should be written in a friendly tone and accessible language to be as user friendly as possible. The outdated practice of using meaningless jargon to dazzle the reader will not encourage the first time visitor to further explore your website’s design.

Instead, fill your about page, as well as the rest of your web design, with interesting content that engages the reader. A useful tip is too writing the text on your website’s design how you would talk normally, while using proper grammar, of course! Including interesting stories or quirky details about your company also help to create a positive relationship with your reader.

Lastly, it is important to include accessible contact details in your web design. This can be done on the about page, throughout the website design or on a dedicated 'contact' page, but whatever you choose, remember to include various means of communication, such as a query form, a phone number and an email address.