Did you know that 50% of consumers consider a company’s website design crucial to their opinion of that brand? (Top Design Firms)
Translation: The design and development of your website play a pivotal role in shaping your customer's experience and engagement.
Anyone can build a website.
But not everyone can build a beautiful, functional and effective website that incorporates timeless design principles, key technical optimizations and the psychology of marketing and the buyers journey.
To me, these websites are aligned with Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese practice of arranging spaces to harmonize the flow of energy.
Just as Feng Shui principles are applied to optimize the flow and functionality of physical spaces, they can also be leveraged to ensure the same ideals in a website.
By integrating key Feng Shui concepts into web design, we can cultivate holistic well-being in the digital realm. Attracting customers through a website involves creating a digital space that radiates with positive energy, engages users, and fosters a sense of calm and connection.
Establish Balance & Harmony
Feng Shui emphasizes the balance between Yin (passive) and Yang (active) energies to create a harmonious and nurturing environment that supports holistic well-being and growth. This can be applied to website design by creating a visually pleasing and energetically aligned layout.
Balance dynamic, attention-grabbing elements (Yang) with calm, grounding elements (Yin).
Utilize a tranquil or neutral brand color palette (Yin) with pops of brightness (Yang)
Incorporate symmetrical design elements, and ample white space to create energetic flow
Avoid clutter and excessive visual distractions that can disrupt the flow of information and overwhelm users.
Incorporate dynamic animations and interactive features strategically, ensuring they enhance user engagement without overwhelming or distracting
Aim to provide valuable information and resources, to support health and happiness. This includes informative articles, helpful guides, or interactive tools that address their needs and interests, while building trust and credibility
Activate prosperity by showcasing products, services, or offerings that emphasize value and benefits to customers.
Highlight testimonials, success stories, or case studies that demonstrate the positive outcomes of working with your business, inspiring confidence and attracting conversions.
"Balance, symmetry, and harmony are essential qualities of good design."
Masaaki Hatsumi
Incorporate Energetic Elements
In Feng Shui, specific symbols and imagery are believed to attract positive energy and prosperity. Feng Shui advocates for the balanced use of the natural elements: wood, water, metal, earth, and fire.
Check for consistent earth-inspired branding and elements throughout the site.
Integrate rounded, organic shapes, textures, and imagery inspired by nature to create a sense of connection, vitality and authenticity.
Select hues that evoke specific emotions and energies aligned with the website's purpose and target audience
Incorporate symbols to enhance its energetic appeal and attract customers. Examples include images of abundance, prosperity, and harmony, such as flowing water, lush greenery, gold coins, or auspicious symbols like the infinity symbol.
Clarity & Simplicity
In Feng Shui, the entrance of a space sets the tone for the entire environment. Similarly, your homepage serves as the virtual entrance to a website and should make a positive and INVITING first impression. Of course, the rest of your home (and web pages) matter too, but the homepage is the first place to start and practice.
In feng shui, every room needs a clear and distinct PURPOSE. Your website is the same - make every page, section, visual, and word count!
A strong brand identity and image reflected in the consistent and cohesive use of logos, colors and typography
Ensure content is up-to-date, relevant, and aligned with your target audience.
Prioritize clear navigation, intuitive information architecture, and concise copy.
Streamline user journeys and minimize cognitive load by presenting information in digestible chunks and avoiding unnecessary complexity.
Evaluate font choices, sizes, and contrast for optimal readability. Choose typography that is legible, balanced, and harmonious with the overall design aesthetic to enhance visual coherence.
Identify and resolve issues related to duplicate content to avoid SEO penalties.
"The secret of all effective originality in advertising, in marketing, in communications of any kind, lies in one word: simplicity."
Leo Burnett
Optimize the Flow of Chi
When energy flows freely and harmoniously, it nourishes all aspects of life. In traditional Chinese medicine, the smooth circulation of Qi (blood) throughout the body promotes health, vitality, and well-being. In feng shui, the movement of Qi attracts greater peace and prosperity. This is why we minimize clutter or space furniture in proportion to the room.
Whether in the body, in the home, or in design, blockages or disruptions in Qi include
clutter
overcrowding
poison arrows
underuse or mis-use.
These can lead to stagnation and imbalances which can stress, overwhelm and confuse the visitor.
Readability
The concept of white space in web design is similar. It allows for visual breathing room and facilitates the easy movement of the viewer's eye across the page, creating a more harmonious user experience and enhancing the overall impact and effectiveness of a website. It also encourages the user to keep scrolling, which is a signal to Google that your page is interesting and appealing!
Read content outloud to see if it "breathes" and flows well. It should be casual, conversational and of course- engaging and persuasive!
Functionality/Usability
Unfortunately, many businesses miss the mark on web design by prioritizing aesthetics over functionality. While a visually appealing website is certainly important, it's equally crucial to ensure that the design is actually optimized for driving sales and attracting customers.
Just as Feng Shui practitioners aim to remove blockages in physical spaces to allow energy to flow freely, website designers should ensure that the website's layout, navigation, and functionality are clear and unobstructed. Ensure seamlesss and uninterrupted user experience that encourages exploration and engagement by optimizing the navigation and interaction pathways for users and search engines to find and access your content.
Pay attention to the placement of interactive elements to encourage intuitive interactions and minimize friction points.
Arrange navigation menus, call-to-action buttons, and content in a logical sequence that guides users through the website effortlessly.
Use compelling visuals and messaging to welcome visitors and entice them to explore further.
Use clear calls-to-action and strategically placed links to encourage users to take desired actions, such as making a purchase or contacting the business.
Ensure the following technical components are optimized for the best usability, indexibility, crawlability and visibility:
Website Speed/Loading times
Mobile Responsiveness
Accessibility
Broken Links
Security
XML Sitemap
Robots.txt
Navigation
Forms
CTA buttons
Images and Multimedia
Analyze and update meta titles, descriptions, and headers for relevant keywords.
Check for appropriate internal linking to improve user navigation and distribute link equity.
Review external links to ensure they are reputable and relevant.
Verify that analytics and conversion tracking tools are properly installed and configured.
Verify the presence and accuracy of the legal, copywright and compliance pages
Ensure easy sharing of content on social media platforms.
The Bagua
Want to really get into the transcendental aspects of feng shui? Create a hidden, unpublished page and create a grid with 9 squares according to the Bagua Map, a traditional Feng Shui tool to analyze the energy flow, or chi, within a space.
Career & Purpose (Bottom Center):
Knowledge & Wisdom (Bottom Left)
Past & Heritage (Left)
Health & Well-being (Center)
Wealth & Finances (Top Left)
Fame & Reputation (Top Center)
Love & Relationships (Top Right)
Future & Legacy (Right)
Connections & Luck (Bottom Right)
Then fill each with words and affirmations that represent prosperity and are meaningful to you and your business.
By incorporating principles of Feng Shui into the drafting and designing of website landing pages, businesses can create digital spaces that not only look impressive but also foster positive energy flow and drive conversions.
Feng Shui Website Examples
The following sites have won my own heart as they capture the essence of these feng shui principles:
Wrapping It Up
A feng shui website incorporates
Beautiful and balanced design so that your website looks valuable and professional enough to build credibility and trust
A seamless user experience to guide visitors towards buying/inquiring/subscribing
Specific elements to resonate with your audience - visuals, messaging, and concise website copy
Optimizations to make sure your website is visible in search engine results (keywords, technical SEO etc)
Fusing Feng Shui principles into web design creates holistic, harmonious digital spaces that prioritize user well-being and positive, peaceful experiences. By optimizing energy flow and balancing vital design elements, we can craft websites that resonate with users on a deeper level, fostering a sense of connection and resonance.
Done properly, your website could be your best marketing asset.
If that's what you want, but you don't have time to learn all of the ins and outs then let's connect!
I specialize in feng shui-adjacent Wix websites that can help take your business and brand to the next level! From branding to build to SEO, we can make it happen in alignment with your unique vision and values.
Erin is a certified feng shui consultant, holistic business coach and organic growth marketer for earth-loving, heart-centered soul-preneurs.
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