How to Choose the Right Font for your Web Project
So much hard work goes into creating a website. You have a million things to do before you can launch the perfect website. From choosing the design to picking the domain name, choosing the website builder, eCommerce platform, colors, images, logos, navigation, text design, among other things.
However, the thing that separates professional websites from the rest is the tiny details. It’s often said that the devil is in the details and in terms of web design projects, the statement is 100% true. The little things that won’t cost you much are often those that make the greatest impact.
Think about it, have you ever tried to change how you hold a golf club by a tiny bit only to have massive improvements in your game? That’s what we are talking about today. The small but seemingly insignificant changes make a whole difference.
Like everyone else, we often get overwhelmed by the big stuff that we forget those tiny gems that make websites sparkle. We are talking about picking the right font for your website. It sounds pretty insignificant but you need to pick a font deliberately and carefully.
Why font design is important for your website?
Remember when Steve Jobs first developed Mac? He did something that hasn’t been done before – creating 10 font designs (aka typography) for people to choose from. This was a major breakthrough then and it made a big impact on the industry. He was even called the Grandfather of Typography.
Imagine if we’d have to stare at the same font type on our screens every time we open a computer. How long can you do that before your eyes say enough is enough?
Not very long, right?
The right font has a magical touch that makes your site stand out, make your audience feel at ease, and improving their experience on your site.
Fonts communicate different messages
Different fonts are used to deliver a brand’s identity. Some fonts build trust, others speak elegance and sophistication, while some convey strength and stability. There are so many other messages conveyed by fonts to people’s subconscious.
Think about it, a legal website doesn’t have the same font design as a wedding photography site.
Fonts help grow businesses
Using the right font encourages your audience to engage with your website longer. They get to read your content and interact with your message. Ultimately, the chances of conversion are higher when your website visitors are engaged. Online businesses can’t grow if your audience doesn’t feel comfortable enough to read your content.
Fonts influence your audience
This is particularly true with titles, headlines, logs, and call-to-action buttons. The font used psychologically influences your visitors to take action or leave your site.
Tips to help you pick the right font
1. Choose a font that matches your brand identity and message
We all have personal preferences when it comes to the fonts we pick. However, you shouldn’t let your personal preference get in the way. Pick a font based on the message you want to convey to your audience.
Here are some font personalities to use if you want to convey different messages.
Respectable, Reliable, Traditional, and Comfort
Use fonts that have been around for ages. Georgia, Times New Roman, or Trajan. They are very popular with newspapers, magazines, and books. As people are familiar with these classics, they tend to associate this font with trust, heritage, and reliability.
Contemporary, Progressive, Modern, and Minimalistic
Use fonts like Simplifica, Gidole, or Corbert. They have little handwriting similarities as they are either thin or bold. These are clean designs with crisp edges, and geometric shapes, that radiate a contemporary feel.
Strong and stable
Use fonts with blocky or bold designs. The boldness makes the fonts to be perceived as strong. If you need to deliver a powerful/robust message, use these fonts. Some of them include Mohave, Zebrail, Summit, Glamor, and many more.
Romance, Beauty, and Elegance
These are writings with a lot of curves making them seem romantic and elegant. The more italic, rounder, and curvier the better. Some of them include Allura, Arizonia, Bolina, and Sophia among others.
2. Pick a font based on your ideal audience
Think about the age, gender, profession, and other demographics of your target audience.
For instance, if you have a coffee café that’s rustic and retro, use contemporary font designs to grab the attention of young coffee lovers.
3. Consider the readability of your font
There is no use in picking a font that people struggle to read. If you can’t read it at a glance, change it.
NEVER sacrifice readability for font design. Don’t be too fancy that everyone else struggles to read your message. Also, don’t be tacky or messy.
4. Consider the versatility of the font
The font on your site will be viewed on different devices and screen resolutions. Will the font still look good on different size screens?
As you can see, you don’t have to be a great designer to pick the right font. Take your time, go through different fonts, your brand identity, and your audience before settling on a font.
We hope this guide helps you out.