Eight seconds is all it takes. Some studies suggest it’s even less.

No, we aren’t talking about the spread of the new zombie virus or some magical new kitchen gadget.

Nope, this is about how long it takes for a potential customer to decide whether or not to stay on your page. Once they hit the landing page, the clock starts, and it’s a race against apathy for your audience’s attention.

Marketing is an online game, and landing page design is one of your most powerful tools to success. Knowing how to construct an effective page can help you step out of the competition and engage your audience.

Let’s look at some of the basics for a killer landing page that captures attention and converts visitors with the best.

Keep it Simple

The world will forever debate whether less is more or more is more. But when it comes to creating visuals that sell…less is definitely more.

Potential clients don’t want to be visually assaulted when they visit your site. They want a clear vision of who you are, what you are selling, and why they should stay…but they want it without any mess.

Think of your landing page as your visual elevator pitch. Keep it simple. There is room for detail after you’ve hooked them.

Clean Formatting

Hand in hand with simplicity is cleanliness. How you format your page dictates the ease with which you convey your information. Even if your message is concise and tight, you can ruin it with a cluttered layout.

Clean formatting in landing page design ensures that the page is visually pleasing and that your message doesn’t get lost in the details.

It’s also just more professional. A layout full of elements screams “Amateur trying too hard”. Simplicity and clean layout indicate confidence and professionalism.

Color is Key

If this isn’t your first foray into internet marketing, you’ve probably (we hope) already done at least some research into color theory. You probably took a look at it when you design your logo.

Now would be a good time for a refresher.

You want the colors on your site to engage clients, carry your core messaging, and compliment your branding. It’s a tall order.

Don’t be afraid of bold colors here. You want that simplicity and those clean lines, but eye-catching and eye-pleasing colors can actually compliment those muted strategies and help hold up the three-legged stool of landing page marketing.

Branding at the Forefront of Landing Page Design

Your landing page design is the first thing potential customers see, but you don’t want it to be the last. Your design has to sell you to clients in under ten seconds, taking advantage of those brief moments of focus to grab their attention and refuse to let go.

Remember to keep it simple. You want to try hard without looking like you’re trying too hard. That sense of ease and confidence gives clients ease and confidence.

Keep that formatting clean and go bold for your color choices. You’ll be converting new traffic in no time.

For more on how a web design company can help you reach your online marketing goals, check us out here.