A Well Designed Website Matters

In today’s business world nearly all companies and sole traders have a website presence. However, a large percentage of these websites are lacking in UX design. This does not portray a professional image for the companies or sole traders in question. Understandably some of these companies are just starting out and have limited budgets to allocate to marketing, so stepping stones are deployed.

However, with how visual users are starting to become it is highly important to utilise the best design for your budget. It has been noted that users place trust on superficial elements such as design. Presentation of the website to include, content and point of sales also plays a major part in how the website is navigated.

Still not convinced that design matters? Here are some reasons to why it does:

• First impressions account for everything

• User retention

• User-friendly design means more click through

First impressions

More than likely a user will be on your website as they were directed or they searched for certain information on Google that is on your website. This will lead everyone to believe that content is far more important than design.

Content is of course very important for a website to be placed on the SERPS but what happens once a user is on your website?

This is where the design aspect come into play, if you visit a website that is poorly designed. More than likely you will navigate away to another website that is easier to find what you are looking for. A website’s design needs to fully support it’s content style to put the user at ease.

Your website is an important marketing tool which promotes your companies brand. The look and feel of the website should depict a feeling of professionalism and confidence.

User Experience

Now that the first impression has been made it is time to build in the user experience elements. UX design is all about helping the user find what they are looking for and making sure the user has an enjoyable time visiting the website.

Layout can make a huge difference to whether your website is successful or not. If your website is cluttered with lots of images floating about the pages, or your website loads to slow, then your website can be classed as a bad user experience.

User Experience focuses on the following:

• Focus on the experience

• Make it simple

• Make it scannable

• Use clear call to actions

• Utilise the correct SEO techniques

• Real-time data

• Visually pleasing

When re-designing a UX website it can be useful to go back to the original website to pick and pull it apart. This will help you determine what you do and do not want from the new website development. Draw up a detailed pro’s and con’s list on all the elements that you may wish to add, this will help to scrutineer if they are eligible. Above all test test test (A.B).

Improving user retention through UX

Decreasing the number of choices the user has to make will increase the website’s amount of sales or inquiries. This simple tactic can be referred to as the Hick-Hyman Law.

Make all important elements of the large and of high quality also all navigation should be easy to click. This fits in with Fitt’s Law.

Do not try to swamp the user with too much information all in one go, this is because an average persons short-term memory can only hold 7 + – 2 items in one go. This can be referred to as Millers Law.

Summary

These 3 pointers have been brought to your attention to enlighten you to what work goes on behind the scenes of designing a UX website. Obviously, there are a great deal more UX factors that have not been mentioned. UX design elements are tailored to each website solution and are constantly being manipulated to adhere tothe evolving digital scenery.