How to create a website style guide

A man with a beard wearing a gray shirt
Mark Ridgeon
April 14, 2024
5 min read
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How to create a website style guide

How to Create a Website Style Guide

A website style guide is a living document that defines the visual and functional standards for your website. It ensures that your website is consistent, on-brand, and easy to use.

Creating a website style guide may seem like a daunting task, but it's actually quite simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Define your brand identity

Before you can create a website style guide, you need to define your brand identity. This includes your brand's mission, values, and personality. Once you have a clear understanding of your brand identity, you can start to develop a website style guide that reflects your brand.

2. Gather inspiration

Once you have a good understanding of your brand identity, it's time to start gathering inspiration. Look at other websites in your industry and identify the elements that you like and dislike. You can also find inspiration from design blogs, magazines, and books.

3. Create a mood board

A mood board is a visual representation of your brand's identity. It can include images, colours, fonts, and textures that you think represent your brand. A mood board will help you to visualise your brand and make it easier to create a website style guide that is consistent with your brand identity.

4. Define your typography

The typography on your website is one of the most important elements of your website's design. It can affect the readability, usability, and overall look and feel of your website. When choosing a typeface for your website, consider the following factors:

  • Legibility: The typeface should be easy to read, even at small sizes.
  • Usability: The typeface should be easy to use for navigation and other interactive elements.
  • Brand identity: The typeface should reflect your brand's personality and values.

5. Define your colour palette

The colour palette on your website is another important element of your website's design. It can affect the mood, tone, and overall look and feel of your website. When choosing a colour palette for your website, consider the following factors:

  • Brand identity: The colour palette should reflect your brand's personality and values.
  • Target audience: The colour palette should appeal to your target audience.
  • Usability: The colour palette should be easy to use for navigation and other interactive elements.

6. Define your layout

The layout of your website is the way that the content is organised and displayed. It can affect the usability, readability, and overall look and feel of your website. When choosing a layout for your website, consider the following factors:

  • Content: The layout should be designed to accommodate the content on your website.
  • Target audience: The layout should be easy to use for your target audience.
  • Usability: The layout should be easy to navigate and find information.

7. Define your imagery

The imagery on your website can be used to communicate your brand's message and to make your website more visually appealing. When choosing imagery for your website, consider the following factors:

  • Brand identity: The imagery should reflect your brand's personality and values.
  • Target audience: The imagery should appeal to your target audience.
  • Usability: The imagery should be easy to use for navigation and other interactive elements.

8. Define your tone of voice

The tone of voice on your website is the way that you communicate with your audience. It can affect the mood, tone, and overall look and feel of your website. When choosing a tone of voice for your website, consider the following factors:

  • Brand identity: The tone of voice should reflect your brand's personality and values.
  • Target audience: The tone of voice should appeal to your target audience.
  • Usability: The tone of voice should be easy to read and understand.

9. Create a style guide document

Once you have defined all of the elements of your website's style, it's time to create a style guide document. This document should include all of the information that you have gathered in the previous steps. It should be easy to read and understand, and it should be updated regularly.

10. Implement your style guide

Once you have created a style guide, it's important to implement it on your website. This means making sure that all of the elements of your website's design are consistent with the style guide. It also means updating the style guide regularly to reflect any changes to your website's design.

Conclusion

Creating a website style guide is an important step in ensuring that your website is consistent, on-brand, and easy to use. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a style guide that will help you to achieve your website goals.

Additional tips

Here are a few additional tips for creating a website style guide:

  • Use a version control system. This will help you to track changes to your style guide and make it easier to collaborate with others.
  • Get feedback from others. Ask your team, colleagues, or friends to review your style guide and provide feedback.
  • Be flexible. Your style guide should be a living document that can be updated as needed. Don't be afraid to make changes to your style guide as your website evolves.
How to create a website style guide
A man with a beard wearing a gray shirt
Mark Ridgeon
March 28, 2024
5 min read
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