Introduction
Designing a consulting website requires special attention to detail, as the website must both represent the brand and capture a potential client’s attention. By understanding the basics of website design, you can create an effective and attractive site that will help generate leads for your business. This guide will provide an overview of the key considerations when designing a consulting website.
Business Goals
The first step in designing a consulting website is to determine the goals of your business. Ask yourself how you want your website to support your business objectives. Are you looking to generate leads, build brand awareness, or provide an online customer portal? Your website’s design should be tailored to meet the specific needs of your business.
Content
Once you have established your business goals, you should start thinking about the content of your website. Content is the foundation of any website, and it’s important that you think carefully about what type of information you want to include, as well as how you want to present it. Take time to review your competitors’ websites to get an idea of the types of content they are using and consider how you can make yours stand out.
Layout
The layout of a website is crucial for creating a good user experience. The layout should be organized in a way that makes it easy for visitors to find what they are looking for and provides an intuitive navigation system. Think about how you want to structure the pages of your website and which elements should be included on each page.
Visual Design
Your website should have an attractive visual design that reflects the brand of your business. Choose fonts and colors that are appropriate for your industry and create a consistent visual style. Keep the design simple and ensure that all the elements are cohesive and work together.
Responsive Design
As more and more people are using mobile devices to access websites, it’s important to ensure that your website is responsive. Responsive design ensures that your website looks good and functions properly no matter what device it is being viewed on. Make sure that all the elements of your website are optimized for different screen sizes and that users can easily navigate the site from their device.
Optimization
Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for ensuring that your website ranks well in search engine results. Use keywords and phrases throughout your content to increase your chances of being found online. Additionally, pay attention to the technical aspects of your website, such as optimizing images and using metadata, to help ensure that your website is
What to Consider when Designing for Consulting Websites
When it comes to website design for consulting firms, there are certain elements that should be taken into consideration to ensure that potential clients have an enjoyable and successful experience. The goal is to create an intuitive and user-friendly site that clear
ly communicates the firm’s message and helps prospective customers meet their needs. Here are the basics of designing a consulting website.
Make It Easy to Find Information
When designing websites for consulting firms, it’s important to make sure that all essential information is easy to find. People visiting the site will be looking for different things and so it is important to have an accessible nav bar or menus, clearly divided sections, and a search bar. This will help visitors quickly access the information they need without frustration. A great example of this is the website for Boston Consulting Group. On the homepage, there are several prominently placed tabs for different areas of the website, such as Solutions, Industries, Insights, and About Us. Each tab has its own drop down menu with further navigation options. This makes it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for without having to delve too deeply into the page.
Focus on the Content
Content should be the main focus on a consulting website. Visitors are there to learn more about the firm, read up on industry trends, and find out how the company can help them. Be sure to include sections such as About Us, Services, Insights & Research, and Case Studies. This will help visitors quickly gain an understanding of the company and its offerings. Make sure each section has comprehensive content that is easy to understand, engaging, and free of jargon. Additionally, ensure each page is optimized for SEO by using keywords and linking content to related pages.
Create Engaging Visuals
The visuals on a website for a consulting firm should be engaging and professional. They should draw visitors in and help break up the text. This could include photographs, images, charts, illustrations, and videos. When used strategically, visuals will help improve the visitor’s overall experience. For example, McKinsey & Company’s website employs multiple visuals throughout the page to highlight key points and draw the eye to important content. The use of imagery and video allows the website to deliver a message in a clear and concise way.
Make it Mobile-Friendly
With the increase in mobile device usage, it’s essential to make sure a consulting website is optimized for mobile. This means designing a website that can easily be viewed on a variety of devices, from smartphones to tablets, and ensuring that all content, including text, images, and videos, are optimized for mobile. Additionally, make sure links are clickable as some users may be browsing on a touch screen device. BCG Digital Ventures’ website is a great example of a responsive website. All of the content fits the size of the screen and links are easily clickable.
Optimize for Speed
Website speed is an important factor when it comes to website design for consulting firms. Visitors want to access the information they need quickly and if the website is slow, they won’t stick 
around. Make sure all images have been optimized for web, external scripts have been minified, and caching is enabled. The website should also be tested on various internet speeds to make sure it loads quickly.
Maintain a Professional Image
The website should represent the firm’s image and be professional in design and content. This means keeping the navigation and layout clean and simple, avoiding too many flashy elements, and focusing on clean typography. Additionally, be sure to check for typos and grammar errors to maintain a polished look. Ogilvy & Mather’s website is a great example of professional website design. The layout is clean and modern, and the visuals are used sparingly, allowing visitors to focus on the content.
Include a Call-to-Action
A website for a consulting firm should also have a call-to-action. This is an actionable statement that encourages visitors to take a specific action, such as subscribing to the newsletter, requesting a consultation, or downloading a whitepaper. A well-placed call-to-action button will help point visitors in the right direction and drive them to take the desired action. PwC’s website does a great job of this with its “Stay Connected” call-to-action button that clearly stands out from the rest of the page.
Conclusion
Designing websites for consulting firms is not a one-size-fits-all process. Every firm is different and so its website should be designed to meet its specific goals and objectives. When creating a website for a consulting firm, keep in mind these basics of website design: make it easy to find information, focus on the content, create engaging visuals, make it mobile-friendly, optimize for speed, maintain a professional image, and include a call-to-action. With these elements in place, your website will be sure to leave a lasting impression on potential clients.
1. Develop a simple, clean, and visually appealing website that reflects the company’s branding.
2. Include key elements such as logo, contact information, services offered, and a call-to-action button.
3. Make sure the website is mobile-friendly and responsive to different devices.
4. Use HTML5 tags, such as divs, navigation, sections, and footer, to structure the website.
5. Include SEO-friendly content with relevant keywords and metadata.
6. Include relevant visuals, such as images, videos, and infographics to highlight your services.
7. Create an intuitive and easy-to-use website navigation bar to make it easy for visitors to explore the website.
8. Incorporate social media links to promote your services via social media channels.
9. Add a blog section to engage your visitors and keep them up to date with the latest news.
10. Add a lead capture form to enable visitors to inquire about your services.
To go fruther on the topic
If you’d like to explore more on the topic of The basics of designing for consulting websites, we recommend the following litterature:
1. Web Design for Consulting Firms: A Guide for Business Professionals, by Christopher M. Murray
2. Designing Websites for Business Consulting Services, by Gail S. Haines
3. The Basics of Website Design for Consultants, by Pete Jenkins and James L. Croft
4. Creating a Professional Consulting Website, by Reed K. Miller
5. Web Design for Consulting: Principles and Strategies for Success, by Ramon J. Arguelles
6. Professional Website Design for Consulting: Strategies for Building Your Reputation Online, by Charles B. Karch
7. Digital Consultant: Web Design Strategies for Consulting Professionals, by David A. Brown
8. Web Design for Consultants: Building an Online Presence That Clients Trust, by Sarah S. Pringle
9. Professional Web Design for Consulting: Making Your Mark on the Web, by Paul T. Andrews
10. Web Design for Consulting: Strategies for a Successful Online Presence, by Robert P. Swindell.
