Book A Call

Blog

Articles

Latest News

Google Business Profile Suspensions Are Rising. What’s Really Going On?

Have you or your client recently received a sudden notice that your Google Business Profile (GBP) was suspended?

You’re not alone.

In 2025, there’s been a noticeable uptick in Google suspending listings across all industries, particularly in local service, eCommerce, and multi-location retail. And while some suspensions are justified, many seem automated, vague, and difficult to reverse.

Let’s dissect what’s actually going on, why these suspensions are occurring, and how to safeguard your business from losing visibility in an instant.

Why Are Suspensions On The Rise?

Google has continued to introduce stricter compliance practices for GBPs, such as new verification processes and automated spam detection tools.

A number of factors are driving the increase:

  • Aggressive fake listing prevention: Google is enforcing tighter enforcement against duplicate or misleading business listings.
  • Link policy enforcement: New link policies are flagging profiles with “spammy” or redirected links.
  • Content moderation changes: Business descriptions, services, and images are more stringently moderated for quality and compliance.
  • False-positive automated systems: Legitimate listings are mistakenly flagged by AI systems.

The interplay of AI-driven and manual reviews has produced a spike in false flags and surprise suspensions frequently for no explicit reasons.

The Immediate Impacts on SEO Strategy

Rank Tracking Just Got Trickier

Previously, tools could load 100 results in one query. Now, they need to retrieve 10 results at a time over more than 10 pages. This change increases complexity, more server requests, and the chance of incomplete data.

If you’re noticing sudden drops in keyword impressions or changes in average position, this update is likely the cause—not a decline in ranking.

Decreased Impressions in Search Console

Many SEO professionals are seeing fewer impressions, especially on desktop. This results from bot-driven queries or lower-ranked listings beyond page one no longer being tracked as often. This doesn’t mean your SEO efforts are failing; it means reporting is now clearer and more aligned with actual user views.

Less Visibility into Pages 2–10

Without the ability to scan deeper results quickly, finding “low-hanging fruit” keywords becomes harder. You’ll need to be more strategic in how you identify content opportunities or track growth for keywords ranked 11 to 50.

Why Did Google Do This?

There are a few reasons for this change:

  • To reduce scraping and automated traffic that create false impressions
  • To clean up Search Console and provide more accurate user-driven data
  • To encourage SEO strategies that focus more on refined, top-page performance
  • To support shifts toward AI-powered search that emphasize direct answers over long result lists

While this poses challenges for SEOs, it fits within broader trends in Google’s vision for a more streamlined, intent-based search experience.

What SEOs Should Do Now

Fonts do more than display words—they influence how we interpret tone, mood, and credibility.

1. Refocus on Quality Over Quantity

With less visibility into deep results, it’s crucial to optimize for meaningful, high-intent keywords. Focus on page 1 rankings and featured snippets instead of tracking hundreds of less relevant terms.

2. Check Your SEO Tool Settings

Ensure your SEO tools or rank trackers are set up to paginate correctly. Some tools may need reconfiguration or upgrades to handle smaller batches of results.

3. Update Reporting Conversations

If you’re sharing impression and average position metrics with clients or stakeholders, inform them about this change. Visibility might seem to drop, but the data scope has changed—not necessarily your performance.

4. Embrace AEO and Featured Snippets

As deeper tracking becomes more challenging, optimizing content for direct answers, rich results, and voice search is increasingly valuable. Structured data and Answer Engine Optimization are now essential.

FAQs – Google’s 100 Results Page Retirement

Q: Has my site lost visibility?

Not necessarily. Fewer impressions may simply mean cleaner, user-focused data. Your position or traffic might not be affected at all.

Q: Should I still track up to 100 keywords?

Yes, but be strategic. Focus on rankings within the top 30 to 50 and prioritize keywords that are likely to convert.

Q: Will other SERP tracking features be affected?

It’s possible. As Google continues to shape a cleaner, AI-powered search experience, we might see more limits on bulk data access.

Final Thoughts: SEO Is Evolving Again

While some may view this as a setback, it’s an opportunity to concentrate on what matters: quality content, genuine user intent, and visibility on page one.

Search engines are changing beyond traditional listings. As SEOs, we need to adapt alongside them.

Stay Ahead of Google’s Updates

Want to keep your SEO strategy sharp, current, and in sync with Google’s constant changes?

Explore SEO with XDesigns Advertising
Chat with our team today

We assist businesses in navigating the ever-changing landscape of digital visibility with effective strategies and content.

Read More +

5 Signs Your Website Is Costing You Business (And How to Fix It)

The Hidden cost of an outdated website.

Your website might look fine at first glance, but is it actually working as hard as it should? Many business owners don’t realise their site could be quietly turning
customers away. The problem isn’t always your products or services, but things like clunky navigation, outdated content, slow load times, or a design that hasn’t been refreshed in years.

Your website is more than just an online brochure. It is your shopfront, your first impression, your salesperson, and in many cases, your reputation rolled into one. If it underperforms, your business does too.

Here are five common signs your website could be costing you business, and how you can turn it around.

1. Your site looks “good enough” but feels old

Design trends change faster than the weather in Melbourne. A layout that felt modern in 2020 can now make your brand look dated. Think of it like fashion: shoulder pads used to look stylish once too, but you wouldn’t wear them into a client meeting today. Users form opinions in seconds, and if your site feels outdated, they assume your business is too.

Fix: Invest in a modern redesign. This doesn’t just give you a pretty facelift, it rebuilds trust and confidence. For example, updating your fonts, photography, and colours to align with your current brand can instantly make your business look fresh and
credible again.

2. It isn’t mobile-friendly

More than 70 per cent of web traffic now comes from mobile. If your website is clumsy on a phone, people won’t stick around. Imagine a parent trying to book a service while wrangling kids at the park — if they have to pinch, zoom, scroll for days or wait too long, they’ll give up and call your competitor.

Fix: Go mobile-first. A responsive design means your site looks sharp and works smoothly on any device. Navigation should be thumb-friendly, and key actions, like booking or calling, should only take a tap.

3. It loads at a snail’s pace

A slow site doesn’t just test patience; it hurts you in search results. Google ranks fast websites higher, and users often abandon a page if it takes more than three seconds to load. Think of it this way: if your coffee order isn’t ready, you’ll walk to the café next door.

Fix: Optimise your hosting, shrink image sizes, and clean up old code. When a business we worked with cut its homepage load time from 8 seconds to 2, enquiries jumped within weeks.

4. Your content doesn’t match your business anymore

Businesses grow and evolve, but websites often don’t keep up. Maybe you’ve added new services, changed your pricing, or grown your team. If your site still talks about what you did years ago, visitors get confused, and your brand looks neglected.

Fix: Use a redesign as an opportunity to realign your messaging. Update your story, refresh your team photos, and make sure your services page reflects what you actually offer today. For example, if you’ve expanded into eco-friendly products, make that a proud headline, not a footnote.

5. The leads have dried up

Traffic might look steady, but if the phone isn’t ringing or enquiries aren’t coming in, something is broken in your funnel. A website that doesn’t guide visitors clearly is like a shop with no counter—people wander in but don’t know how to buy.

Fix: A strategic redesign puts the customer journey first. Add clear calls to action, simplify forms, and highlight benefits, not just features. One client doubled their enquiries just by changing their contact button from a tiny link to a bright, friendly “Let’s chat” button.

Time for a fresh look

Your website should grow as your business grows. If it has been more than a few years since your last redesign, chances are it’s holding you back. The good news is a fresh design can transform not only how people see you, but how they choose to engage
with you.

So maybe it’s time to ask yourself: is your website pulling its weight, or is it
costing you business?

Ready to find out? Let’s chat about how to make your website work harder for you.

Book a call for your website.
Explore our design work for our happy clients.

Read More +

Google’s New Business Profile Rules: What You Need to Know About Links

If you’re managing your business presence on Google, there’s a critical update you can’t afford to miss.

In 2025, Google has quietly introduced new restrictions around link usage in Google Business Profiles (GBPs) and while it’s flown under the radar for many, the impact is already being felt across the SEO and local marketing community.

Whether you operate a neighborhood business, a multi-unit brand, or you’re an agency serving client listings, this update alters how we tackle link strategy and compliance on Google’s most authoritative local platform.

Let’s dissect what’s new, what’s at stake, and how to future-proof your Google Business Profile.

What’s Changed With Google’s Link Policies?

Businesses once had ample room for including website links in GBPs, such as:

  • Homepage or service page URLs
  • Booking or contact form links
  • Event registration pages
  • Menu links (for hospitality companies)
  • UTM-tagged tracking links (for marketing attribution)

As of 2025, Google has released more aggressive automated filters and manual moderation targeting:

  • Redirected URLs (including shortened or masked links)
  • Tracking-heavy links with long UTM strings
  • Third-party pages (particularly unrelated to your core business)
  • Affiliate-style links within listings

These are now being marked as manipulative, misleading, or spammy even when your intention was authentic.

Why Is Google Clamping Down on Link Rules?

This action supports Google’s overall mission: to enhance the quality, trust, and user experience of local search.

A few of the essential motivations for the change:

  • Fighting deceptive listings that employ redirects to spam sites
  • Enhancing link clarity so users have a clue where they’re being sent
  • Minimising ranking manipulation through keyword-stuffed landing pages
  • Simplifying mobile UX, where redirects and UTM-ponderous links hinder user access

Google is currently favoring clean, direct links that accurately reflect the business and offer immediate benefit to the searcher.

What’s Still Allowed?

Not everything is off limits when it comes to linking.

You can still have:

  • Your root website or location-specific sites
  • Booking pages with no redirects (e.g. Acuity, Calendly, your site)
  • Contact or “Get Directions” pages
  • Menus hosted directly on your domain
  • Third-party booking sites (but only if 100% relevant)

The secret is relevance and directness. If your link is a detour or a trap, Google can penalise it—or your whole profile.

What You Must Do Immediately

1. Check All Your Profile Links

  • Delete shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, etc.)
  • Replace redirects with direct, canonical URLs
  • Shorten or eliminate UTM tracking codes particularly on booking or homepage links
  • Verify all links remain functional and align with the business intent

2. Don’t Use Lead Gen or Affiliate Redirects

If you’ve been redirecting users to a third-party lead form or affiliate link, you can stop. These are now a significant risk factor regardless of whether used to measure performance.

3. Keep Links Localised (If You Have Multiple Locations)

Every location listing must have a distinct URL linking to a page for that individual location. No longer “head office” links on every store.

 4. Train Your Team or Clients

If you work on behalf of clients managing listings, get them trained on the new rules. Many don’t realise they’re unknowingly breaking policy by pasting UTM links or marketing redirects.

Real Example – What Can Go Wrong

One Melbourne physiotherapy clinic had been directing to a health blog with UTM tags in their GBP to monitor conversions. Then, out of nowhere, Google removed the link—and soon after, the entire profile was suspended for breaking rules.

The moral of the story? What worked in the past may cost you traffic and visibility this year.

FAQs – Google Business Profile Link Rules

Q: Can I still monitor my GBP clicks with UTM links?

A: Use them sparingly. Google is allowing short, clean UTM usage, but long or promotional strings are being flagged more often.

Q: Is it okay to link to a third-party booking tool like Zocdoc or Calendly?

A: Yes, if that tool is genuinely used by your business for appointments and the page is branded appropriately.

Q: Will Google notify me if a link is removed?

A: Usually, no. Removals or suspensions may come as a surprise. Routine profile checks are essential.

Last Thoughts – It’s About Trust, Not Traffic

Google’s new link policies are all part of an overall move towards transparency, user trust, and anti-spam.

To marketers, it’s an unmistakable message: your local SEO approach must change from performance tricks to platform alignment.

Keep links clean. Keep them helpful. Keep them user-centric.

Need a Local SEO Partner You Can Trust?

Here at XDesigns Advertising, we keep one step ahead of Google’s updates so that your business doesn’t get left behind.

  • GBP link audits
  • Location-based landing page strategy
  • Google-compliant optimisation

Learn about our local SEO services and contact XDesigns Advertising for SEO Packages.

Read More +

Google Retires the 100 Results Page: What It Means for SEOs

In September 2025, Google quietly made a significant change. It stopped supporting the &num=100 parameter. This feature allowed users and especially SEO tools to see up to 100 organic results on a single search results page.

This change might seem small, but for digital marketers, rank trackers, and SEOs, losing this parameter disrupts established workflows and methods for gathering data. So, what does this mean for you, your tools, and your search strategy?

What Was the &num=100 Parameter?

This parameter let you view 100 search results at once without needing to click through multiple pages. While everyday users typically didn’t use it, many SEO platforms depended on it to:

  • Pull deep keyword rankings
  • Track changes across pages 2 to 10
  • Find long-tail and low-competition keywords
  • Compile performance reports

By removing this feature, Google has limited the data SEOs can see in one request, impacting visibility tracking, especially for results beyond page one.

The Immediate Impacts on SEO Strategy

Rank Tracking Just Got Trickier

Previously, tools could load 100 results in one query. Now, they need to retrieve 10 results at a time over more than 10 pages. This change increases complexity, more server requests, and the chance of incomplete data.

If you’re noticing sudden drops in keyword impressions or changes in average position, this update is likely the cause—not a decline in ranking.

Decreased Impressions in Search Console

Many SEO professionals are seeing fewer impressions, especially on desktop. This results from bot-driven queries or lower-ranked listings beyond page one no longer being tracked as often. This doesn’t mean your SEO efforts are failing; it means reporting is now clearer and more aligned with actual user views.

Less Visibility into Pages 2–10

Without the ability to scan deeper results quickly, finding “low-hanging fruit” keywords becomes harder. You’ll need to be more strategic in how you identify content opportunities or track growth for keywords ranked 11 to 50.

Why Did Google Do This?

There are a few reasons for this change:

  • To reduce scraping and automated traffic that create false impressions
  • To clean up Search Console and provide more accurate user-driven data
  • To encourage SEO strategies that focus more on refined, top-page performance
  • To support shifts toward AI-powered search that emphasize direct answers over long result lists

While this poses challenges for SEOs, it fits within broader trends in Google’s vision for a more streamlined, intent-based search experience.

What SEOs Should Do Now

Fonts do more than display words—they influence how we interpret tone, mood, and credibility.

1. Refocus on Quality Over Quantity

With less visibility into deep results, it’s crucial to optimize for meaningful, high-intent keywords. Focus on page 1 rankings and featured snippets instead of tracking hundreds of less relevant terms.

2. Check Your SEO Tool Settings

Ensure your SEO tools or rank trackers are set up to paginate correctly. Some tools may need reconfiguration or upgrades to handle smaller batches of results.

3. Update Reporting Conversations

If you’re sharing impression and average position metrics with clients or stakeholders, inform them about this change. Visibility might seem to drop, but the data scope has changed—not necessarily your performance.

4. Embrace AEO and Featured Snippets

As deeper tracking becomes more challenging, optimizing content for direct answers, rich results, and voice search is increasingly valuable. Structured data and Answer Engine Optimization are now essential.

FAQs – Google’s 100 Results Page Retirement

Q: Has my site lost visibility?

Not necessarily. Fewer impressions may simply mean cleaner, user-focused data. Your position or traffic might not be affected at all.

Q: Should I still track up to 100 keywords?

Yes, but be strategic. Focus on rankings within the top 30 to 50 and prioritize keywords that are likely to convert.

Q: Will other SERP tracking features be affected?

It’s possible. As Google continues to shape a cleaner, AI-powered search experience, we might see more limits on bulk data access.

Final Thoughts: SEO Is Evolving Again

While some may view this as a setback, it’s an opportunity to concentrate on what matters: quality content, genuine user intent, and visibility on page one.

Search engines are changing beyond traditional listings. As SEOs, we need to adapt alongside them.

Stay Ahead of Google’s Updates

Want to keep your SEO strategy sharp, current, and in sync with Google’s constant changes?

Explore SEO with XDesigns Advertising
Chat with our team today

We assist businesses in navigating the ever-changing landscape of digital visibility with effective strategies and content.

Read More +

Website Design vs
Website Development: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

When businesses decide to build or refresh their website, one of the first questions that arises is, “Do I need a designer, a developer, or both?” This can be confusing. Although designers and developers collaborate closely, website design and website development are different.

Understanding the difference helps you:

  • Make better choices when hiring a team or agency
  • Set realistic budgets and timelines
  • Avoid technical or creative mismatches
  • Achieve a better overall result

Let’s break down what each role involves, how they overlap, and why both are necessary for creating a high-performing website in 2025.

What Is Website Design? (Creative + UX)

Website design covers the visual and strategic aspects of your site. It focuses on how your site looks, feels, and guides users to take action.

Key Areas of Web Design:

  • User Interface (UI): Layout, color schemes, fonts, and visual hierarchy
  • User Experience (UX): Flow, navigation, and how users interact with your site
  • Branding: Consistency with your business identity, including logos, tone, and imagery
  • Responsiveness: Making sure the site looks good on all devices
  • Wireframes & Mockups: Planning the site structure before development

Web designers concentrate on why and how people will engage with your website. Their goal is to create a site that is attractive, easy to use, and persuasive.

What Is Website Development? (Technical Build)

Website development is all about the technical execution. Developers take the designs and create a functioning website using code and frameworks.

Key Areas of Web Development:

  • Front-End Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript—everything the user sees and interacts with
  • Back-End Development: Server-side code, such as PHP and Python, databases, and CMS integrations
  • CMS Platforms: WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, and others
  • Website Speed & Security: Performance optimisation, SSL, and core web vitals
  • Functionality & Interactivity: Forms, calculators, eCommerce, logins, and more

Think of development as the engineering side that brings the design to life and ensures everything works smoothly, securely, and quickly.

How Design and Development Work Together

A successful website is not just attractive or technically sound; it must be both.

Collaboration is Key

Here’s how they connect:

Design Team (UX/UI) Development Team
Designs page layout Builds layout using front-end code
Chooses typography, colours Ensures fonts render cleanly on all devices
Plans mobile responsiveness Implements responsive behaviour with CSS
Designs form UX Builds form logic and validation
Sketches CTA buttons
and flow		 Makes CTAs functional and trackable

Common Misunderstandings

“Can a designer build the whole website?”

Some designers use tools like Wix or Webflow to create basic sites, but for custom features, you will need a developer.

“Can’t I just hire a developer to build a website from scratch?”

You can, but without good design, the user experience will likely suffer. Developers can build, but designers explain the reasons behind each choice.

“Isn’t WordPress just design and plug-ins?”

No. WordPress sites still need design planning and back-end setup to work well and remain secure.

Why This Difference Matters for Business Owners

When planning your website project, understanding who does what helps you:

  • Communicate your goals more clearly
  • Know where time and money go
  • Prevent gaps (like great visuals without SEO or a fast site that feels unwelcoming)
  • Pick the right agency or freelance team

FAQs – Design vs Development 

Q: Which comes first—design or development?

Design comes first. Once you approve the structure, layout, and style, the development team will bring it to life.

Q: Can I use templates and still have a designer involved?

Yes. Designers can customise templates to match your branding and user goals, even on platforms like Shopify or WordPress.

Q: How do I know if my developer understands design?

Ask to see their past work. A technically impressive site that looks outdated or clunky may indicate a lack of design experience.

Final Thoughts – You Need Both to Succeed 

Design and development are two sides of the same coin.  

Design attracts and engages. Development makes sure it works and converts. 

When they work together, you get a website that: 

  • Loads fast 
  • Looks amazing
  • Functions smoothly
  • Converts visitors into customers

Get a Full-Service Website Built Right the First Time

At XDesigns, we combine creative design and smart development under one roof.  

  • UX-first design focused on conversion
  • Clean, responsive code built to scale  
  • SEO-ready, mobile-friendly, and fast-loading

Book a free consultation today!
Learn more about our full web design services.

Read More +

Website Redesign Checklist – What to Review Before You Invest

Your website might look fine, but is it converting? Is it optimised for mobile? Is it providing visitors the experience they expect in 2025?

Many businesses delay redesigns because they’re unsure if they need one or what the process involves. However, your website can lose leads, sales, and trust if it doesn’t meet modern standards. 

This guide outlines a website redesign checklist to help you determine if it’s time for an update and how to approach it effectively.

Why Consider a Website Redesign in the First Place?

A redesign isn’t just about changing colors or fonts. It’s about matching your site with your business goals and what users expect.

Common triggers for a redesign:

  • Your bounce rate is increasing
  • The site looks outdated or feels clunky
  • It doesn’t perform well on mobile
  • You’re launching new services or rebranding
  • You’re not ranking well on Google anymore
  • Conversions have stalled despite good traffic

The Ultimate Website Redesign Checklist (2025 Edition)

Before starting a complete rebuild, check the following areas. This helps you redesign for the right reasons and prevents creating more issues than you fix.

1. User Experience (UX) and Navigation

  • Is the navigation intuitive on desktop and mobile?
  • Can users find what they need in 3 clicks or less?
  • Are key CTAs (contact, quote, booking) easy to access?

Tip: Use tools like Hotjar or Google Analytics to see where users drop off or struggle.

2. Website Speed and Performance

  • Does your site load in under 3 seconds?
  • Are images optimised and lazy-loaded?
  • Does it pass Google’s Core Web Vitals test?

Tools to use:

  • PageSpeed Insights
  • GTmetrix
  • WebPageTest

3. Mobile Responsiveness

  • Does the layout adapt gracefully on all devices?
  • Are tap targets large enough?
  • Are fonts readable without zooming?

Google now evaluates your mobile version first. If your site isn’t responsive, it’s already losing rankings and users.

4. SEO and Content Audit

  • Do you have outdated or duplicate content?
  • Are your meta tags, titles, and descriptions optimised?
  • Are broken links or old pages dragging you down?

Don’t lose hard-earned rankings during a redesign—audit, redirect, and optimise every page.

5. Branding and Visual Identity

  • Does the design reflect your current brand voice?
  • Is your colour palette consistent across the site?
  • Are your images high-quality and modern?

If your visuals don’t reflect your credibility, visitors may assume your business is outdated too.

6. Conversion Opportunities

  • Do key pages have strong CTAs?
  • Are your forms short, functional, and mobile-friendly?
  • Is there a clear lead journey (from homepage to enquiry)?

A redesign is the best time to re-align your site with your marketing funnel.

7. Analytics and Tracking

  • Do you have proper tracking (Google Analytics, GA4, Facebook Pixel)?
  • Are goal completions (e.g., form fills, calls) being tracked?
  • Are there conversion drop-off points?

If you’re flying blind with your current site, a redesign can bring clarity and strategy.

8. Security and Technical Health

  • Is your site SSL-secured (HTTPS)?
  • Are plug-ins/themes regularly updated?
  • Do you have backups and a reliable CMS?

Security is not optional in 2025—especially for eCommerce or contact-driven sites.

Don’t Forget – Redesign ≠ Rebuild

A complete redesign isn’t always required. You might just need a design refresh, a content update, or a performance tune-up. 

At XDesigns Advertising, we review each client’s website before recommending a solution. Sometimes we suggest a rebuild; other times, we propose a strategic update of important pages.

FAQs – Semantic SEO and Topic Strategy

Q: How often should a business redesign its website?

Every 2-3 years is a good benchmark, or when your analytics or customer behaviour suggests it’s underperforming.

Q: Will I lose my Google rankings with a redesign?

Only if it’s done poorly. With the right redirect strategy and SEO migration, you can preserve—and even improve—rankings.

Q: Is it cheaper to redesign or start fresh?

Depends on your platform and goals. In many cases, a fresh build saves time and improves long-term scalability.

Final Thoughts – Redesign with Purpose, Not Panic

A website redesign is not just a design project. It is a tool for business growth. It should improve your speed, user experience, conversion rate, and search engine optimization. Everything begins with a thorough review.  

Use this checklist to evaluate your current site honestly. If you are ready to move forward, collaborate with a team that understands both design and performance.

Start Your Website Redesign with Confidence

At XDesigns Advertising, we don’t just create a nicer site. We provide a smarter, faster experience that boosts conversions.

  • Full site audits before design begins
  • SEO and content migration handled professionally
  • Mobile-first, Google-ready builds

Request your website audit today!
Learn more about our web design services.

Read More +

The Psychology of Website Design – How Colours, Fonts, and Layouts Influence Decisions

Web design isn’t only about looking good. It’s also about creating the right experience. Great websites focus on function as much as appearance.

Knowing how users think can help you create a website that grabs attention, builds trust, and encourages conversions. 

In this blog, we will look at how colors, fonts, layouts, and small design details affect how people feel, think, and act on your website in 2025.

Why Psychology Matters in Web Design

People make subconscious decisions in milliseconds when landing on a site.
 Studies show:

  • Users form a first impression in 0.05 seconds
  • 94% of first impressions relate to design
  • Colours can increase brand recognition by up to 80%
  • Layout and readability influence time-on-site and conversion rates

If your website isn’t designed with human behaviour in mind, it may be visually polished but psychologically weak.

The Psychological Impact of Colour in Design

Colour = Emotion

Colour theory plays a huge role in how users perceive your brand. Different colours evoke different feelings and expectations:

Colour Psychological Effect Common Use Cases
Blue Trust, calm, professionalism Finance, tech, healthcare
Red Urgency, excitement, appetite Retail, food, entertainment
Green Growth, health, sustainability Wellness, eco, finance
Yellow Optimism, energy, attention-grabbing Startups, creative agencies
Black Sophistication, luxury, power Fashion, luxury brands

Tip: Choose a colour scheme that reflects your brand’s emotional promise—not just what “looks cool.”

The Influence of Fonts and Typography

Fonts do more than display words—they influence how we interpret tone, mood, and credibility.

Serif vs Sans-Serif

  • Serif fonts (e.g. Times New Roman) feel traditional, trustworthy, and formal
  • Sans-serif fonts (e.g. Open Sans, Helvetica) are modern, clean, and easy to read on screens

Use Case Tip:

  • Headlines: Strong sans-serifs for clarity
  • Body text: Neutral, legible fonts with high contrast
  • Call-to-action (CTA) buttons: Bold fonts with distinct colours

Avoid using more than 2–3 fonts on your site. Inconsistency leads to confusion and cognitive friction.

How Layouts Shape Behaviour

Where you place elements matters. Users follow predictable visual paths, such as:

F-Pattern and Z-Pattern Scanning

  • F-pattern: Dominant for text-heavy pages like blogs or service descriptions. Users scan horizontally across the top, then down the left side.
  • Z-pattern: Ideal for landing pages with bold headlines, images, and CTAs. Users scan across the top, diagonally down, and across the bottom.

Design accordingly:

  • Place key info (headlines, CTAs) along natural scan paths
  • Use white space to guide attention
  • Use visual hierarchy (size, weight, placement) to prioritise content

Trust Signals and Cognitive Biases

Psychology isn’t just about layout and colour—it’s about building perceived trust.

Leverage These Cognitive Principles

  • Hick’s Law: Fewer choices = faster decisions. Keep menus and options simple.
  • Social Proof: Testimonials and logos from real clients build trust fast.
  • Visual Anchoring: Use directional cues (arrows, gaze direction in photos) to guide user flow.
  • Fitts’s Law: The easier something is to click (like a CTA button), the more likely users will engage.

Psychology-Driven Homepage Examples

Imagine you’re redesigning a homepage for a local physiotherapy clinic:

  • Colour: Soft greens and blues = calm + health
  • Typography: Clean sans-serif for approachability
  • Layout: Z-pattern flow with intro → benefits → CTA
  • Trust cues: Real photos, patient testimonials, health certification badges
  • CTA: “Book your consultation today” in a bold contrasting button

The result? Visitors feel calm, informed, and more willing to take action.

FAQs – Psychology in Website Design

Q: Is colour really that important in design?

Yes—colour triggers emotional responses. It can influence brand perception and behaviour instantly.

Q: Should I use psychological principles even if I’m not a designer?

Absolutely. Understanding user behaviour helps inform content placement, call-to-action language, and page structure.

Q: Can I still be creative with psychological design?

Yes. Creativity + psychology = powerful UX. It’s not about limits, but about purposeful design.

Final Thoughts – Design That Thinks for You

Your website is often the first impression someone has of your business. If it looks great but feels off, it won’t convert. 

When you grasp the psychology behind visual choices, such as why users feel safe, excited, curious, or confident, you’re not just designing. You’re shaping outcomes.

Design with Strategy, Not Guesswork

At XDesigns, we don’t just build beautiful websites. We craft digital experiences designed around how people think, feel, and act.

  • Emotion-driven branding
  • Behavioural UX design
  • High-converting layouts backed by science

Book a call for your website.
Explore our design work for our happy clients.

Read More +

XDesigns Image for website hacked

Your Website Is Under Attack (Even If You Don’t Know It)

Imagine the Worst-Case Scenario

There’s nothing more upsetting than opening your laptop to find your website’s homepage filled with distorted text, odd links, products you don’t sell, or even messages you never wrote. Sometimes, customers get tricked into downloading malware. In worse cases, your whole site goes offline, costing you valuable sales.

Would you know what to do if this happened?

You might think your small business isn’t a target, but hackers don’t just go after the big companies. They often prefer smaller business websites because they’re easier to break into. Think of it like burglars on a street; they’re not looking for the house with the best alarm system but the one with an open window. 

That’s why it’s time to take your website security seriously.

Why Website Security Matters More Than Ever

Bots Don’t Sleep

Automated bots scan the internet all day and night, searching for outdated plugins, missing updates, or weak passwords. As soon as they spot a vulnerability, they slip in.

The Cost of a Breach Goes Beyond Money

A single attack can reveal customer data, ruin your SEO rankings, and harm your reputation. Once trust is lost, many customers do not come back.

Prevention Costs Less Than Recovery

Emergency fixes often cost thousands, in addition to lost sales and downtime. In contrast, regular website maintenance is affordable and easy to predict.
Example: A café in Sydney had its online menu hacked due to an outdated plugin. Their site was taken over by ads for counterfeit handbags. It took three weeks to fix the problem and regain their rankings, but during that time, customers thought they had closed down.

The Role of Regular Website Maintenance

Website maintenance involves more than just clicking “update.” It focuses on maintaining your site’s health, security, and overall performance.

Security Monitoring and Firewalls

Like digital security guards, they block intruders before they can get inside.

Automated Backups

Your safety net helps you restore your site in minutes if something goes wrong, rather than weeks.

Uptime Monitoring

Keeps your site online around the clock, so you don’t lose customers late at night.

Performance Scans

Regular checks keep your site fast, which keeps visitors engaged and makes Google happy.

Analytics and Reporting

Gives you clear insight into what’s working and what needs attention.
Example: An online gift shop in Melbourne avoided disaster when a faulty update crashed their checkout page. Thanks to daily backups, the site was restored in under an hour, saving an entire weekend’s worth of sales.

What Business Owners Need to Hear

Think of your website as your digital storefront. You wouldn’t leave your shop unlocked overnight, so why leave your website unprotected? 

Even if you believe your site is “too small to matter,” hackers don’t care. They can take control of it to spread spam, run scams, or host malware. Often, your customers will notice the issue before you do. 

The good news is that protecting your website doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. Regular website maintenance is a simple safeguard, just like locking your doors.

Protect Your Business Before It’s Too Late

Don’t wait until you’ve been hacked to take action. 

Talk to XDesigns today about our Website Maintenance Packages. Keep your site and your customers safe.

 

Read More +

How Web Design Impacts SEO by XDesigns

How Web Design Impacts SEO – And What Google Looks For in 2025

Many businesses still see web design and SEO as two separate things. Design makes it look good, and SEO makes it rank. But in 2025, that mindset is outdated. It is costing rankings.

Google doesn’t just crawl your code. It evaluates your user experience. This means your website’s design, layout, structure, and speed directly affect how well you rank. 

In this blog, we’ll break down how web design and SEO are now closely connected. We will also cover what you need to focus on to ensure your site looks good and performs well in search results.

Why Google Cares About Your Web Design

Google’s algorithm has changed a lot. Today, it focuses on user experience signals rather than just keywords or backlinks. That includes:

  • How fast your site loads
  • How easy it is to navigate on mobile
  • How accessible your design is
  • How quickly users bounce off your page (or stay engaged)

Every design decision you make—from font size to button placement—has an impact on these signals.

6 Website Design Factors That Impact SEO

1. Mobile-First Design

Google uses mobile-first indexing. This means it checks the mobile version of your site before looking at the desktop version. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, your SEO will take a hit.

Tips:

  • Use responsive design (not just a mobile version)
  • Prioritise tap-friendly buttons and simple menus
  • Avoid intrusive popups on small screens

2. Site Speed and Performance

A beautiful design that takes 5+ seconds to load is dead in SEO terms.

Design-related speed killers:

  • Large unoptimised images
  • Complex animations
  • Poor hosting or bloated code
  • External fonts that aren’t optimised

Google’s Core Web Vitals assess:

  • LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) – How fast your content loads
  • CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) – Layout stability
  • FID (First Input Delay) – How fast your page becomes interactive

3. Navigation and Site Architecture

A well-designed navigation helps:

  • Users find what they want quickly
  • Search engines crawl and index your site correctly
  • How-Tos
  • Products

Best practices:

  • Use a clear menu with descriptive labels
  • Keep important pages within 2–3 clicks
  • Use breadcrumb trails for better crawlability

4. Content Hierarchy and Readability

Design should make content easy to scan, read, and understand. Google tracks dwell time and bounce rate. If your design causes people to leave, your rankings will drop.

Best practices:

  • Ample white space
  • Consistent heading structure (H1, H2, H3…)
  • Clean typography and accessible contrast ratios

5. Visual Stability

Google penalises designs that shift elements around after loading (think banners pushing content down).

Fix this by:

  • Setting fixed dimensions for images and ads
  • Loading fonts locally
  • Using skeleton loaders or lazy loading for images

6. Accessibility and Semantic HTML

Google rewards inclusive design. If your site is screen-reader friendly and properly coded, it’s more likely to rank well.

Examples:

  • Use semantic HTML (<header>, <main>, <footer>)
  • Label buttons and forms properly
  • Include alt text on all images

What Google Wants from Website Design in 2025

Google’s end goal is simple: deliver the best experience for the user.

Here’s what that looks like:

  • Fast, responsive sites that work on all devices
  • Clean structure that helps users and bots navigate
  • Purpose-driven design that supports content—not distracts
  • Strong visual hierarchy for easy comprehension
  • Accessibility for all users

FAQs – Semantic SEO and Topic Strategy

Q: Does redesigning my website hurt SEO?

It can, if not done carefully. But a well-executed redesign that improves speed, structure, and mobile UX will improve rankings in the long run.

Q: Should I choose design over content?

It’s not either/or. Great design supports great content. The goal is to create an environment that enhances readability and engagement.

Q: Can animations hurt my SEO?

Yes, if they slow down the site or distract from your content. Use subtle, purposeful animations with performance in mind.

Final Thoughts – Design Is SEO Now

In 2025, SEO isn’t just about keywords and links. It’s about experience. Your design affects everything from bounce rates to page speed to how search engines understand your content. 

If you want to rank, your site needs to look good, feel intuitive, and load fast, especially on mobile.

Build an SEO-Ready Website with XDesigns

At XDesigns Advertising, we create websites that not only look great, but also perform well, are optimised for SEO, and deliver real results.

  • Mobile-first, user-focused design
  • Speed optimisation baked into every build
  • Built with Core Web Vitals and Google’s best practices in mind

Book your strategy session today!

Explore our web design services.

Read More +

BUILDING BRANDS SINCE 2000