A product that is both attractive to look at and really useful is an amazing combination, and guaranteed to sell well. I guess you’ve heard of the iPod? 
It’s all about the choices you make
Getting this combination right takes some skill. Imagine a pair of shoes. Going into a shop, the pair that catches your eye would be the one with killer heels. But trying them on and comparing them with a pair of traditional sneakers, you see the difference between attractiveness and usefulness. The heels may look great, but try running a marathon in them and the problems start to surface. Equally, how many people go to Oscar Awards ceremonies in an old pair of sneakers?
This time it’s personal
When this happens, you make a personal decision, you may give up style for function or vice-versa. But in business, your decision has a big impact on the professional image you project and its effect on your customers. If you have to choose between design and usability, what shall it be? Or is it possible to have both?
If you own a business website, the decision you have to make may confuse you. Just remember, it is essential that your site is easy for its visitors to use yet has a look that is sufficiently eye-catching to attract them.
The Design Concept vs the Concept of Design
To give you a better grasp of the matter, you have to understand the concept of design or designing the concept. When design is mentioned, what automatically comes to mind are colors, pictures and patterns. But the design concept is much more than that. It goes deeper and is something that strikes an inner chord in our sensibilities. Design does not come only at the initial stage of development. It is present in all the stages of making a website.
Web development and web design are commonly and wrongly seen as two different concepts in my opinion. Yet an undeniable and basic fact is that development of a website cannot proceed without a clear purpose for the design. An underlying concept and mood if you like. This concept guarantees that the site has maximum usability and is user-friendly upon completion.
What you need to remember with your website
Avoid the mistake of letting your users experience difficulty in getting from one point in your site to another. Remember that usability and design must go hand in hand, for without one the other cannot survive. Examples of immensely successful sites such as Amazon.com and ebay.com are not designed to impress the users with flashy images but are clear, simple and easy to use and understand.
Creativity must not overpower practicality and usability. Neither should the business side rule over creative design to the point where your site looks drab and dull.
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