Boost Your Website’s Readability with These 5 Typography Tips
So, you've got a flashy website with all the latest bells and whistles, but your visitors are bouncing faster than a kangaroo on a trampoline. Ever stopped to think that maybe your typography is turning them off? Yeah, that's right—the fonts you choose and how you use them can make or break your website's user experience.
Let's cut to the chase. Good typography isn't just about making your site look pretty; it's about enhancing readability, guiding users through your content, and ultimately boosting engagement and conversions. Here are five tips to help you nail your typography and keep your readers hooked.
1. Choose the Right Font Family
Why it matters
Not all fonts are created equal. The typeface you choose sets the tone for your entire website. It affects readability, user perception, and even brand credibility.
How to do it
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Prioritise readability: Stick to fonts that are easy on the eyes. Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, and Open Sans are generally more readable on screens.
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Align with your brand: Your font should reflect your brand's personality. Are you formal and traditional? Consider a serif font. Modern and casual? A clean sans-serif might do the trick.
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Limit your choices: Don't use more than two or three font families throughout your site. Too many fonts can make your site look like a dog's breakfast.
Example
Good: Using Open Sans for body text and Montserrat for headings creates a clean, modern look that's easy to read.
Bad: Mixing Comic Sans, Papyrus, and Times New Roman on the same page—just don't.
2. Get the size right
Why it matters
Font size isn't just about aesthetics; it's about accessibility. If users have to squint or zoom in to read your content, they'll likely leave.
How to do it
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Body text size: Keep your body text between 16px and 18px. This range is generally considered optimal for readability on most devices.
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Hierarchy of headings: Use larger font sizes for headings and subheadings to create a clear visual hierarchy.
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Responsive scaling: Ensure your font sizes adjust appropriately on different screen sizes. Mobile users shouldn't have to struggle to read your text.
Example
Set your body text at 16px, H2 headings at 24px, and H3 headings at 20px. This creates a clear distinction between content sections.
3. Mind your line spacing and length
Why It Matters
Poor line spacing and excessively long or short lines can make reading a chore. Proper spacing improves readability and keeps users engaged.
How to Do It
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Line height: Set your line height (leading) to about 1.5 times the font size. This prevents lines of text from looking cramped.
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Line length: Aim for 50 to 75 characters per line. Lines that are too long or too short can disrupt the reader's flow.
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Paragraph spacing: Add space between paragraphs to break up large blocks of text.
Example
In your CSS, you might set line-height: 1.5 and limit the content width to ensure optimal line length.
4. Use contrast wisely
Why it matters
If your text blends into the background, it's game over. High contrast between text and background is essential for readability.
How to do it
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Dark text on light background: The safest bet for readability. Black or dark grey text on a white or light grey background works well.
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Avoid funky colour combos: Neon green text on a bright pink background might grab attention, but not in a good way.
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Test with accessibility tools: Use contrast checking tools to ensure your text meets WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards.
Example
Use a dark grey (#333333) text on a white (#FFFFFF) background for a comfortable reading experience.
5. Be consistent
Why it matters
Consistency in typography helps users navigate your site intuitively. Random changes in font styles, sizes, or colours can confuse and frustrate users.
How to do it
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Set style guidelines: Define your typography styles in a style guide or CSS stylesheet and stick to them.
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Uniform headings: Use the same font family and styling for all headings of the same level.
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Consistent links and buttons: Ensure that clickable elements like links and buttons have a consistent style to make them easily identifiable.
Example
If your H2 headings are bold and navy blue, make sure all H2 headings follow this styling throughout your site.
Final thoughts
Typography isn't just the icing on the cake; it's a key ingredient in the recipe for a successful website. Get it wrong, and you risk losing visitors and potential customers. Get it right, and you enhance readability, improve user engagement, and boost your site's overall effectiveness.
At Paragon Panda, we understand that every detail matters when it comes to web design. From typography to user experience, we've got you covered. Ready to transform your website into a user-friendly powerhouse? Let's chat.