Enterprise website design: Best practices and tips for 2024

Enterprise website design isn't just about creating a visually appealing site. At its core, it's about developing a digital platform that can handle high-volume traffic from a diverse user base, with fast-loading pages designed for efficiency and scalability. While small businesses may only need basic features, large corporations often rely on professional web development services for a complex mix of tools, from user analytics to sophisticated navigation systems.

In the realm of enterprise website design, understanding the latest trends and expectations is vital to stay at the forefront of user engagement and satisfaction. So, what does an effective, modern enterprise website look like in 2024? Let's break it down.

• Enterprise website design focuses on handling high-volume traffic and diverse user bases - tailored for large corporations emphasizing efficiency, scalability, and speed.

• Enterprise design serves global audiences and is optimized for diverse user needs. Unlike SMEs, enterprise websites deal with more data and traffic and have integration needs.

• Key values include fostering customer trust, increasing operational efficiency, leveraging scalability, and seamless tool integration.

• 2024 design components are mobile-first design, user navigation efficiency, predictive search, rapid-loading pages, POD integrations, localization vs globalization, and website accessibility.

• Design enterprise websites following the best practices, such as adequate planning, maintaining consistency, user-centric design, continuous testing, and embracing new technologies.

• Integration with Gelato's POD system offers a seamless experience, localized production, rapid delivery, and an inventory-free model.

Enterprise website design refers to the creation of digital platforms that are both robust and scalable enough to handle the unique requirements of large organizations. These websites often serve a global audience, requiring an optimized user experience that caters to a diverse group of users in terms of location, language, and browsing needs.

Unlike the websites of small businesses, which may be constrained by limited resources and local reach, the website of an enterprise company serves a larger operational scale. These websites are custom-built and function across departments, countries, or regions, ensuring uniformity while accommodating local nuances. The volume of content, traffic, and the number of internal users that these websites can expect to service is substantially more significant.

How is enterprise web design different from web designs for SMEs?

Enterprise website design takes a different perspective from that of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Here's what sets it apart.

Complex customization

Enterprise websites often involve complex web development and demand a higher level of customization and functionality. These sites typically serve a broader range of audiences and hence, deal with weightier data and traffic loads. They may also have stricter data-sharing rules concerning security and privacy. Therefore, it is recommended to consult an enterprise web design company for better understanding.

Magnitude of operation

Compared to smaller businesses, enterprises generally have much more substantial web activity due to the larger scale of their operations. They manage more user data and run more complex interactions, necessitating sophisticated performance optimization strategies and robust cybersecurity measures. 

User diversity

An enterprise often comprises a diverse range of users. Therefore, the design must smoothly cater to users from different departments, geographical locations, and cultures while still maintaining a consistent brand narrative. It's all about finding the right balance between global consistency and local relevance. This aspect of individuality, coupled with inclusivity, sets enterprise web design apart. 

Integration needs

On an enterprise scale, the website doesn't exist in isolation; it must smoothly integrate into the larger business ecosystem. Integrations with various in-house and third-party applications like CRM, ERP systems, payment gateways, analytics tools, marketing software, ecommerce platforms, and print on demand (POD) platforms, among others, are essential. 

While similarities exist between enterprise and SME website design, the scale, complexity, and customization requirements set the two apart. Ultimately, the design should reinforce your brand identity, foster a seamless user experience, and support the operational needs of your business.

Web design for enterprises is not a mere matter of aesthetics. It's a strategic tool, a virtual handshake for your potential customers, and a space of seamless interaction for your established clientele. The robust, versatile, and user-focused characteristics of enterprise website design set its foundation as an ultimate springboard for organizational growth and advancement.

Enterprise web design truly holds immense value for large-scale corporations, serving as the cornerstone for their online presence. It communicates your brand's messaging, showcases the products or services you provide, and serves as an all-important touchpoint between you and your customers. But the impact of robust enterprise web design stretches beyond these basic points of value - let's delve into the specifics.

1. Fostering customer trust and loyalty

Trust doesn't come easy in the digital world, more so when customers are aware of the risks associated with online transactions. It starts with a sleek, professional design - one that subconsciously communicates to your customers that they're in the hands of experts. Recognizing that they are interacting with a trustworthy entity, they'll not only navigate deeper into your website but also convert from visitors to loyal customers.

2. Increasing operational efficiency

Investing in a well-designed and structured enterprise website can also pay dividends in operational efficiency. For instance, an intuitive user interface can help successfully guide users to the information they seek without additional help. This not only reduces the load on your customer service team but also enhances user satisfaction. 

3. Leveraging scalability

As an enterprise, you'll inevitably grow and evolve over time. Be it introducing new products, expanding to new geographies, or accommodating changing consumer behaviors, your website needs to be adaptable. A well-structured enterprise web design is built with scalability in mind, offering a solid foundation that can accommodate future growth and changes with ease.

4. Integrating with other business tools

Your website is not an island but is part of an interconnected ecosystem of tools you use to run your business. Your CRM, email marketing system, customer support platform, and social media channels need to integrate smoothly with your website. A well-designed enterprise website considers these integrations from the get-go, ensuring your operations keep running like a well-oiled machine.

Enterprise web development and design is a broad and complex field, incorporating many distinctive facets. To provide clear insight, we've broken down seven key components that are crucial to crafting a successful enterprise website tailored for 2024 and beyond: 

1. Mobile-first design 

With a growing number of users accessing the internet via mobile devices, it's critical that your enterprise site places mobile-first design at the forefront of its strategy. This means designing websites with mobile devices in mind from the outset, ensuring optimal functionality, responsive web pages, and a seamless user experience across various screen sizes and platforms.

2. User navigation efficiency 

The ease with which users can navigate your site is vital for an optimal user experience. An enterprise-level website must offer clear, intuitive navigation, enabling users to quickly and effortlessly locate the information or tools they need. This includes carefully categorized menus, an efficient search bar, and quick access to customer support or assistance when needed. 

3. Predictive search 

As search engines become more sophisticated, user expectations for search functionality follow suit. Predictive search, or autocomplete, is a feature that suggests search terms or results as the user begins to type, often using AI algorithms. This reduces user effort and enhances the browsing experience, making it a must-have for any modern enterprise website. 

4. High-performance, rapid-loading pages 

Slow-loading pages are the top indicators of poor site performance, affecting user experience and SEO rankings. Consequently, high-performance and rapid-loading pages are a must, particularly for enterprise websites, which are likely to experience high traffic volumes. This often requires efficient coding, optimized images, and reliable web hosting services.

5. Inclusion of print-on-demand (POD) integrations 

Integrations with print on demand platforms like Gelato add significant value to an enterprise website. They allow for localized production and eliminate inventory overheads, all while streamlining the process of creating branded merchandise or print materials. Integrations should be seamlessly incorporated into the website, offering a smooth and intuitive user experience. 

6. Localization vs globalization 

An enterprise operating on a global scale requires a website that caters to both local and international user bases. This means balancing localization - tailoring content and features to specific locations or cultures - with globalization - maintaining consistent branding and messaging across all regions. Here, platforms like Gelato offer eco-friendly solutions that cater perfectly to multinational enterprises. 

7. Website accessibility 

Compliance with web accessibility standards is no longer an option - it's a necessity. Your website should be accessible to all users, regardless of disability status or technological proficiency. This includes text-to-speech options, the ability to navigate the site using a keyboard alone, and alt tags for images for the visually impaired.

Enterprise web design is no ordinary undertaking. To create an appealing and functional website that caters both to a specific business's unique needs and a wide, diverse user base, certain best practices need to be upheld. Knowing these practices will not only help you develop a powerful online platform, but also ensure its long-term success. 

1. Adequate planning 

Planning is an integral part of any endeavor, and that holds true for enterprise web design, too. Clearly defined goals, a good understanding of the target market, and an analysis of the competition's websites can help guide the design process. Nothing should be left to chance. 

2. Consistency is key 

From color schemes to fonts, maintaining consistency across the website is crucial. It not only boosts your brand identity but also makes for a user-friendly experience. Users should be able to navigate your site easily without losing sight of your brand's personality. 

3. User-centric design 

Tailoring your enterprise website to the unique requirements of your users is vital. Whether it's simplifying the navigation or personalizing the content based on the user's behavior, every effort should be made to create a pleasant and effective user experience. 

4. Continuous testing and optimization 

Designing a website is not a done-and-forget project. Instead, it's an ongoing process requiring continuous testing, assessment, and improvements. Rely on analytics to gather insights on user behavior and make necessary adjustments for optimal performance. A well-optimized website not only enhances user experience but also supports your overall digital marketing strategy.

5. Embracing new technologies 

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and new technologies are being introduced every day. Embrace these transformations and continually explore ways to integrate them into your website design. For instance, print on demand integrations, like Gelato's platform, are paving the way for cost efficiency in enterprise-level operations.

Incorporating your enterprise website with a print on demand solution like Gelato can significantly streamline operations, reducing overheads and optimizing customer service. Here, we'll delve into how Gelato's platform can be seamlessly integrated into your enterprise website, and the unique benefits it brings. 

Gelato's seamless integration 

At the heart of Gelato's offering is an intuitive API that easily embeds into your enterprise website. This smooth integration allows users to directly access print facilities, offering a seamless experience from browsing through order placement and delivery. Print jobs are handled by the platform, leaving your team free to focus on what they do best—delivering exceptional service and products. 

Localized production and rapid delivery 

With a global network of 130+ production facilities, Gelato offers the unparalleled advantage of localized production of items like t-shirts, mugs, wall art, photo books, phone cases, etc. This not only reduces shipping distances, thereby accelerating delivery timeframes, but it also decreases carbon emissions—making your enterprise more eco-friendly.

Embracing an inventory-free model 

One of the major benefits of integrating with Gelato is the move to an inventory-free model. Print on demand means you only print precisely what your customers order—no more, no less. This completely eliminates the burden of inventory overheads and waste, saving your enterprise both time and resources. 

Balancing local and global design considerations 

Gelato's POD platform caters perfectly to multinational enterprises. While it allows you to benefit from localized printing and quicker delivery times, your designs are retained across the globe, ensuring brand consistency. So, whether in Berlin or Bangkok, your customers enjoy the same quality, design, and brand experience they'd expect.

Ready to take your enterprise business to the next level? Sign up for Gelato now.