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Micro details: web design that's skillfully playful

Have you ever procrastinated on some website? Why that one?

Dopamine: fast rundown

I'm not a biologist! But I know that dopamine is a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good. It's released when you eat, when you exercise, and when you're in love. It's also released when you're pleasantly surprised.

Satisfying animations

Games are great at this. And not just when you complete a level. Every move, every bounce feels satisfying - or people don't play.

I call this the Dopamine Loop:

  1. You interact with something
  2. You get a response that's not only predictable but goes beyond your expectations
  3. Dopamine is released - because you're pleasantly surprised

Going beyond expectations

How can you go beyong the user's expectations in web design?

Some pointers:

Expectation: When a user hovers over a link, they expect some kind of feedback.

Going beyond: The link slides, bounces or a playful underline grows from the middle.

Buttons

Expectation: When a user hovers over a button, they expect some kind of feedback.

Going beyond: The button lifts up using a beautiful shadow effect.

But we can do more.

Gameification of surprise

Not every part of a website carries user expectations. With playful surprises, users explore every part of the page.

For example:

  • Images are expected to be static - add a magnification hover effect.
  • Forms are expected to be boring - emit party poppers when the user submits the form.
  • User scrolls down - the background gradually changes colour.
  • User lands on a 404 page - a game of snake appears.

It's work to go the extra mile. But when you do, your users remember. And they come back - even when they don't need to.

Joyful copywriting

The same concepts apply to copywriting. A good text takes the user on a journey where they value each step. The more often the user learns something, the more joyful the copy: leave out filler words.

Cautionary note

Design micro details carefully. Playful elements must never interfere with ease of use. And too many animations can slow down your pages. Your website needs to match your brand. If you're not sure about adding a micro detail, it's best to leave it out.

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Branding
Matching your website to the feel of your business.
Web Design
Creating a beautiful and responsive design that works on all devices.
Web Development
Building your website using modern technologies.
SEO
Optimizing your website to rank higher on search.
Content Writing
Writing content that is both engaging and optimised for search engines.
Maintenance
The web evolves. I'll keep your website smooth and fresh.
How much does it cost to build a website?

It depends on the complexity of the website. My rates start from £1500 for a combined lot of services.

I'm happy to take 50% of the payment upfront, and the rest once you're fully satisfied.

You can get an easy quote here.

Will I be able to edit my website after it's done?

Yes. I build websites with a Content Management System. You will be able to edit anything you need.

How long will it take to build my website?

Projects typically take between 2-4 weeks from start to finish - but something complex may take longer. I will give you an accurate estimate once I know what you need.

Will you host the website for me?

Yes. I offer hassle free hosting and maintenance. Once your website is live, you won't need to think about it again. If you receive millions of views, there will be additional fees - but it's not expensive.

As part of the package, I offer setting up business domain email and renewing the domain.

Will you make small changes to the website after it's done?

Yes. I will make small changes to your website for free in the first month after it's done. If you would like to keep this option permanently, I offer a predictably priced maintenance plan.

What kind of support can I expect after launch?
Will you edit my existing website?

Regrettably, I don't offer edits to existing websites that were not commissioned with me. However, once I build your website, I am happy to keep working on it for you.

Once you submit the form, I will come back to you with an obligation-free quote.

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