When it comes to websites, kids look for different things from what adults do. While adults are after valuable information, kids are after entertainment and fun. That’s why designing a website for kids takes a whole new dimension from designing a site for grown-ups, that’s why web design companies are singling out web design for kids.
In an era where kids want instant gratification, it is important to design a website with the help of an Atlanta web design company that grabs their attention at the click. Aim at giving them the best virtual experience with a design that is simple to use, easy to understand, and exciting to the eye. However, you also need to keep in mind their online security.
Kids are vulnerable to undesirable people such as predators and cyberbullies. Access to age-inappropriate content can be harmful to their minds. In addition, they also can be prone to computer security issues such as drive-by downloads or unwanted advertising or pop-ups that might be carrying spyware. With kids’ worry-free character and urge to discover new things, it is important to create a website that enhances kids’ online safety.
Here are 5 tips to help you design the best website for children.
1. Consider the children’s age group;
Kids’ intelligence and proficiency in website use differ with age. While they all might appreciate colorful and happy designs, not all can be pleased by the same content. For instance, small kids are likely to enjoy adorable characters with minimal text. On the other hand, repetitive games might be a put-off for older kids. In addition, older kids might be in a position to understand a more complex website compared to smaller ones.
Keep in mind the ideal age group that you are targeting when designing your website. It will help you in keeping things interesting and tailoring your content in a way that is entertaining to the users. A good example of a website that understands the target age group is storyplace.org that is designed with preschoolers in mind. Small kids are excited by interesting themes, which the website has leveraged by allowing kids to choose a theme that they like, something older kids might not find interesting.
2. Make the site entertaining;
As said earlier, kids go online to find entertainment. They are bound to bounce at a high rate if a website is gloomy and with little or no form of having fun.
Think of ways to make the kids’ experience fun and exciting. For instance, you can use animation to immerse the kids in your website’s world. Kids love movement. Features such as dancing letters or moving cartoons can be a source of real fun. You can also leverage the power of video. If you need to deliver educational content, doing so with exciting videos can increase kids’ engagement.
3. Using bright and flashy colors and interesting images;
Bright colors are captivating to the kids. Moreover, just like in adults, colors have a way of evoking happiness in kids as well. Be sure to use happy and vibrant colors such as red, yellow, purple, green, orange, and blue throughout the website. Speedkids.com uses both primary and secondary colors to bring out a lively theme that attracts kids.
In addition, use interesting images that grab the attention of the children. You can use familiar characters with smiley faces to cheer up the children. However, you need to consider copyrighting rules before deciding on the characters to use. In this case, it is best to work with a professional. An SEO consultant can find the best images for your website.
4. Develop games for the site
Rarely will kids be excited about reading content on a website. By developing games, you are giving the kids an interesting way to consume your content while developing the right skills such as arithmetic, listening, and problem-solving. Children love exciting challenges, so games are a sure way to keep them engaged. For instance, gpalovemath.com leverages gaming in teaching math in the most fun and innovative way.
However, developing games might be a more challenging task for you. To get it right, it is better to work with a digital marketing agency. A reliable agency such as Tactica a SEO Agency, web developers who are proficient in developing games. You can leave the daunting task in their experienced hands.
5. Make it interactive.
While it can be easy to grab the attention of kids, they have a short attention span. They will be attracted to something only to switch to something else soon after. By making the site interactive, you will be extending their attention span so that they can stay on the site for longer.
You can use animations to give directions around the site. Choose loveable characters and give them sounds or voices. Websites such as thewiggles.com and bobthebuilder.com have used animated images, speech bubbles, moving heads, and colorful piano keys to keep kids intrigued and engaged.
Conclusion
Designing websites for kids can seem challenging, but it can easily be done. You just need to do extensive research on the target age group to identify what they like and what they don’t like. Make the site entertaining and interactive. Use colors and interesting images to keep it captivating. You can also use games to enhance users’ experiences. Most importantly, work with a professional to help you realize your goals.
