9 Key Tips When Building Websites for a Better User Experience

These days, websites allow us to do a lot of tasks other than just reading a bunch of texts.

 

Many users these days expect your site to entertain them, offer something valuable, and provide them with an intuitive and quality experience.

 

From its design to your content and calls to action, every element in your site can impact how visitors will stay on your page.

 

Luckily, it is not difficult to come up with a site that offers an optimal user experience. Here are nine essential tips:

1. Balance the use of white space

Whitespace is vital for a good website design. It allows your content to be legible, and it also lets your site visitors to focus on the critical elements on your page.

 

According to data by Crazy Egg, placing white space on your texts and titles increases the attention of the user to up to 20 percent.

 

Whitespace in your site can also make your content look fresh, open, and modern. Also, if you are consistent in using whitespace for your branding, you can communicate that feeling with the user.

 

When it comes to web development and design, the right approach with using whitespace is finding balance.

 

Your most important message should be at the top of the page. And then surround your content with white space for emphasis.

2. Keep your design simple

One of the common things that often happen in the User Experience design process is that things can sometimes be complicated.

 

If a particular pattern is too much, that design may not work and can backfire.

 

Think about it. When a user goes to a page that is jam-packed with texts and other distracting elements, there is a possibility that they will bounce.

 

It is the last thing that you want to happen. NZ Web Host, WPhost, also emphasizes that complicated design can hurt your website's search engine ranking.

 

Your end goal is to let the user focus on what they want to achieve on their site. If you do not distract them from that goal, then it will be easier to achieve yours.

 

Here are more tips you might want to follow:

 

  • Every page on your site should have an explicit purpose. Let's say your check-out page should only have what you need to process and deliver your customers' orders. Meanwhile, your contact page should only contain a form and other contact details.
  • It would be best to structure every component of a web page based on purpose. This explains why a website's navigation is usually at the top of the page.
  • Any added but non-essential information should be at the bottom of your page.


3. Optimize the loading speed

The moment that users go to your site, they immediately expect that it will load fast. Apart from that, they also want a system that loads well with their input. Otherwise, it can cause your site visitors to bounce off.

 

If you want to optimize your site speed, you could resize the size of your images.

 

Failing to provide them with these things will lead to ungratifying user experience. If your site is clunky or does not give that kind of feedback the people expect, they will not likely come back to your site again.

 

There’s nothing for you to worry about, either, if you are not tech-savvy. You are likely to find software outsourcing companies who can work on your website’s backend to improve its loading speed.


4. Make the pages scannable

People rarely read websites anymore. What they do is scan it.

More than ever, visuals and infographics have become a way for most brands, businesses, and organizations to convey critical information or data. Thus, making your pages scannable immediately appeals to your audience.

 

Most users will scan your content. And if there is something that particularly appeals to them, they will read and dig in your content deeper to know more.


5. Be consistent

Another thing that you need to strive for on your site is consistency. It is ideal to keep all your buttons the same. This makes it easier for users to identify the navigational points and what particular issues they can click on.

 

Your site design's whole point is to come up with something that solves most users' problems.

 

If you keep switching your site colors and format, it may look appealing for a while. But this can confuse the user, making it difficult for them to navigate your site.

 

Also, what is the whole point of creating a site if users can't get past your homepage?


6. Avoid using stock photos

A lot of internet users today are already tech-savvy. So, try to avoid stock photography as much as possible.

 

Sure, stock photos allow you to spice up your content in a way that resonates with your visitors. But some stock images are too apparent that people will deem you unreliable.

 

Also, creating high-quality, original visuals are essential to users. It also leads to higher ratings and reviews in the long run.

 

According to a study, replacing stock photos with genuine photos of your brand or business boosts your conversions to at least 45%.

 

So, whether these are photos of your product or employees, using authentic images helps you create a satisfying web experience that your customers would want.


7. Include complete contact details

Visible contact information that is easy to locate is an essential aspect of an enjoyable UX.

 

Keep in mind that there are over 1 billion users worldwide. Thus, the number of services, products, and web pages are innumerable.

 

Unfortunately, the most common challenge that many consumers face is looking for a contact number or email when they need them.


8. Don't forget the CTA

Your call to action or CTA is what you want to tell users to do on your site. Having this kind of element can produce a high conversion rate.

 

Still, there are a lot of sites out there that do not have clear CTAs. This leaves prospective customers clueless on what specific action they need to take.

 

It would be ideal to have a bold and highlighted CTA. That way, it stands out from the rest of your web content.

 

Your CTA button must have a contrasting color. So, take your time to learn color psychology to know the different colors that tend to evoke other emotions.

 

Then, come up with the message that you want to convey and then pick the button's color accordingly.

 

Next, you need to decide on what text you want to use with your CTA button. It would be ideal to use a text that tells the user what will happen the moment they click on the "continue," "link," or "next" button.


9. Use responsive design

Any e-commerce site that is built or rebuilt today should have a responsive design. Users are looking at your information while you are on the go, commuting, or at work.

 

If there is no computer nearby, many people will pull out their tablets or computers to search for online information.

 

They also expect that that information is available to them no matter what device they are using. As more and more devices can connect to the internet, having a responsive web design helps cater to their web experience.

 

Having a great UX on these devices might be more important than using a desktop.

 

Focusing on UX is a powerful way to attract customers to your business and retain them in the long run. Customers expect a seamless experience the very moment they click through your online store or land on your website.