Web design is a commonly used term that identifies the process by which a web page or a complete Internet site is constructed. Some web sites are simple one-page affairs while others may include hundreds of pages all linked together in some way. The way in which a web site is designed will have a definite effect on its productivity, for whatever purpose it exists.

Most web sites on the Internet are there for one of two reasons. Number one is for the purpose of sales. Someone puts a web site online in order to sell a product or a service.

The second reason is to provide information. The Internet is the number one place people go to these days when seeking information. It has truly become the information super highway it was dubbed twenty years ago while still in its infancy. Information has become so easily accessible through the Internet that it is nearly impossible to search any keyword or keyword phrase these days and not get multiple site options returned.

Web design is what sets the tone of a web site and a good design will cause people to want to look further into the site. A bad design will, on the other hand, often make people click off and just go to a different site. For this reason, having an attractive, compelling and user friendly web site is of critical importance. Good designing makes this possible.

Companies that maintain a large and comprehensive web site presence will typically have an in-house web design team to keep the site up and make periodic refinements in different areas. Other companies will hire outside site designers to create and launch their site. This, of course, comes with a price tag. For smaller companies with limited budgets, many online sites offer free website design that can be accomplished easily and in a very short time. There are many options.