White space is often referred to as negative space, and it means the portion of a page which is left blank.
In web design, it means the space between graphics, columns, text, margins and other elements. Even though it is called white space, the actual blank space doesn’t have to be white.
Technically, a space filled with any color but free of elements can be considered white space. There are a lot of benefits to having white space on your website.
That’s why every designer and web design agency thoroughly checks each and every requirement before designing a site. They pay attention to details such as required white spaces on your site, graphics, content, and more to craft a beautiful yet impressive website.
Because every factor is crucial. And if it didn’t, why would web designer and digital marketing service provider reiterate its importance, time and again?
While you may want to fill up every space of your web pages. It is highly advised that you don’t do so, because then you’ll be missing out on the many benefits of white space.
Since there seem to be equal people both for and against white space. This piece has been put together to enlist the 7 different benefits of having white space on website.
Let’s get started!
Benefits of Having White Space On Website
1. Perfect Balance
When you have a balance of white and filled space, it creates a perfect balance on your website.
You may be tempted to have a lot of pictures on your website. But you are advised to not go further with that idea as too many pictures can make the page look muddled.
The same goes for content. If you have too much content on your page, it can get very difficult to read. A website that has too much going takes away from readability and ends up becoming too distracting.
Hence, it is imperative on your part to ensure that you have a good balance of space, text, and images, on your site.
2. Improves Readability
Especially for people who are viewing your website from a larger screen, white space can significantly improve the text’s readability.
It is because it gets very difficult to read the text which spans the entire screen. It is common knowledge that vertically designed content can be read faster.
White space between paragraphs and around blocks of text ensures that the visitors have a very good reading experience, and it encourages them to read more.
The focus should be on having a layout in a format that is easy on the eyes and the use of white space is integral in achieving that.
3. Focuses Attention to The Right Elements
The use of white space is very important as it makes it very obvious what elements on a particular page are the most important.
This drives the eyes of the users to the right content and it helps in getting the job done.
Probably the best and most popular example of this is Google’s home screen where white space has been appropriately used to focus attention on the search bar.
4. More Interactions
People are more pressed for time now, than they ever have been in the past, which has resulted in rapidly declining attention spans in the majority of internet users. People are always in a hurry when they are browsing through sites.
Thus, in order to get the attention of these people, the use of white space is advised as it increases interaction by minimizing distractions.
White space increases comprehension by 20% and it also increases readability to a considerable degree.
The attention span of an internet user is 6 seconds, which is even then the attention span of a goldfish (7-8 seconds).
Optimal use of white space helps in sending the message through to the user quickly and increases the chances of interaction by giving more prominence to CTAs.
5. Highlights Call to Actions (CTAS)
Call to Actions are very important for any website. Thus it is imperative for website owners to give them as much visibility and prominence as is possible.
One way of giving them prominence is by surrounding them with White space so that they get a lot of visibility and people are encouraged to react favorably to such Call to Actions.
It all about directing the focus of the visitors on things that are more important.
6. It Looks Professional
White space makes the website look a lot more professional. If they are perceived as professional by the visitors, then they have an exalted image of the website and the brand in their mind.
It is because professionally designed websites are planned well in advance before going live. Every aspect of the site is planned to make sure that it suits the brand.
Professional websites use white space in an optimum way and you are advised to do the same with your website with the use of white space.
7. Increased Conversions
White space helps in improving the conversion rate for website owners. It happens so because white space reduces the chances of readers being distracted. And gives more attention to CTAs on the website.
White space helps website owners in decluttering their layout which results in a pleasant experience for online visitors.
You may be getting a lot of traffic from your SEO campaigns and enterprise online marketing solutions. But if your website hasn’t been designed to hold and retain the attention of the visitors. Then your online marketing activities are going to be an exercise in futility.
Hence, it is imperative for all website owners to use white space to provide a simple and smooth experience to users and gain from it, through increased conversions.
Summing It Up
White space really isn’t empty space; it is a very powerful design tool. Its application is both art and science and if done well, the aforementioned benefits can be availed.
Instead of stuffing pages with a lot of information, just believe in the power and benefits of white space. If you try to do this on your own and not hire experts.
You will learn a lot through trial and error, but it remains imperative that you do so for the furtherance of your business goals.
