Why typography is so important for your website!
Why Does Typography Matter for My Website?
When most people think of their website’s design, they focus on things like the layout, colors, or images. But there’s one aspect of design that’s often overlooked and underestimated: typography. At Bear Byte Studios, we’ve seen firsthand how the right typography can elevate a business’s website—and how the wrong choices can drive potential customers away.
If you’re a business owner in Utah, whether you’re running a law firm in Salt Lake City or a cozy coffee shop in Ogden, this article is for you. Let's break down why typography matters for your website, and how it can affect everything from user experience to branding and even search engine optimization (SEO).
What is Typography?
Let’s start with the basics. Typography is more than just picking a fancy font. It’s the art and technique of arranging type to make the text legible, readable, and visually appealing. This includes font style, size, spacing, line height, and how different fonts work together.
Think of typography as the voice of your website. Just as you’d speak differently to a customer based on the situation, your typography speaks to your visitors, setting the tone for your business and influencing how they interact with your site.
Typography and User Experience (UX)
We all know the frustration of landing on a website with tiny, cramped text that’s hard to read. As a business owner, you can’t afford to let that happen. If users can’t read your content easily, they’ll bounce off your site in seconds, likely never to return.
I remember working with a local small business in Salt Lake City, and their site had beautiful imagery but lacked readable text. The font size was too small, and the text color blended into the background. After making a few typography tweaks—choosing a more readable font and increasing the size—engagement on their site skyrocketed. Their bounce rate dropped, and users were spending more time exploring their products.
A readable and well-spaced font enhances your website’s user experience by making it easier for visitors to navigate and digest information. This is especially crucial for mobile users—people browsing on their phones will appreciate a clean, readable font over anything too fancy.
Brand Identity and Typography
Just as the right logo design is essential for your brand, typography is a huge part of your brand identity. Think about some of the biggest brands you know—Apple, Coca-Cola, or Nike. What do they all have in common? Consistent, recognizable typography.
At Bear Byte Studios, we believe that every business—whether you’re a boutique shop in Park City or a law firm in Salt Lake—should use typography that aligns with their brand. If you’re running a professional service, like a medical practice or law firm, a clean, serif font can establish trust and credibility. If you’re in a more creative industry, you might opt for something more playful or modern.
We worked with a law firm in Utah that initially used a script font on their website. While it looked elegant, it didn’t align with their brand’s mission of being clear, professional, and approachable. We switched to a more traditional serif font, and the feedback was immediate—clients found their site easier to navigate and more trustworthy.
Typography and SEO: Yes, It Matters!
You might not think typography and SEO have much in common, but they’re actually linked. Here’s how:
Google Web Designer values websites that provide a positive user experience. If your text is difficult to read or your fonts are inconsistent, users will leave your site quickly, which increases your bounce rate. A higher bounce rate tells Google that your site isn’t providing value, and your rankings will suffer.
Readable, scalable fonts are particularly important for responsive web design—ensuring your site looks just as good on a smartphone as it does on a desktop. Mobile-friendly sites not only improve the user experience but also perform better in search rankings. This means using the right font size and style can indirectly help your SEO efforts.
Choosing the Right Typography for Your Audience
Your website’s typography should speak directly to your audience. If your target customers are in Utah, consider the local culture and preferences. For example, we’ve found that businesses in Salt Lake City often gravitate toward clean, minimalist designs with readable fonts. This not only caters to the professional crowd but also aligns with the aesthetic trends of the area.
Here’s a tip: don’t use more than two or three different fonts on your site. Too many fonts can make your website look cluttered and unprofessional. Stick with a primary font for your body text and a secondary one for headings. This keeps the site consistent and easy to read.
Another example: we recently redesigned a website for a restaurant in Utah that was using a quirky, hard-to-read script font for its menu page. While the font matched their fun, relaxed atmosphere, it didn’t make it easy for users to browse the menu. We swapped it for a clear, modern font and suddenly the site was easier to navigate—and the restaurant saw an uptick in online reservations.
Common Typography Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Typography can make or break your website’s first impression. Here are some common mistakes we see and how you can avoid them:
- Using Too Many Fonts
Mixing too many fonts can make your website look messy and unprofessional. Stick to a maximum of two or three fonts to maintain consistency. - Poor Font Sizing
Tiny fonts might look sleek, but they’re hard to read, especially on mobile devices. A font size of 16px for body text is usually a safe bet for readability. - Inconsistent Spacing
Proper spacing between lines and paragraphs improves readability. Tight line spacing can make text feel cramped, while overly loose spacing can confuse the reader. - Ignoring Readability
Decorative fonts might look cool, but they’re often difficult to read. Save them for logos or headings, and keep your body text simple.
How Bear Byte Studios Can Help
At Bear Byte Studios, we take typography seriously because we know how much it impacts your business’s success online. Whether you’re a small business owner in Utah looking for an affordable website design or an established brand in need of a website redesign, our team of expert web designers and graphic designers is here to help.
We’ve worked with law firms, medical practices, and ecommerce websites, all needing custom typography solutions to suit their branding. Our graphic design services and web design services are tailored to your business’s unique needs, ensuring your site is not only beautiful but functional.
Don’t Overlook Typography
Typography may seem like a small detail, but it can have a huge impact on your website’s performance. The right typography improves user experience, strengthens your brand identity, and even boosts your SEO. At Bear Byte Studios, we understand that every font choice counts, and we’re here to help you make the best decisions for your business.
Ready to take your website to the next level? Contact us today for a consultation, and let’s make your typography—and your website—shine.
