5 ways to improve usability on your website.

24 September 2020
Read time: 5 mins

Written by:
Carly Smith.

Usability in website design is becoming more and more important these days. Users are becoming less patient - expecting things quicker and with less effort. There's also the ever growing range of devices which people use to access your website. People are on the go, so a mobile-friendly, responsive web design is also crucial. If your website doesn't provide users with the content they're looking for as quickly and easily as possible, the temptation to leave and go elsewhere is greater than ever.

Ultimately, happier users are more likely to convert. So - what should your website be doing to ensure users are happy? The below should be considered for all devices.

1. Clear website navigation.

More often than not, your website header will be one of the first and most viewed areas of the site - as in most cases, it (should!) contain your website navigation. Things to think about when deciding your navigation:

Above all though, your navigation should be structured in such a way that it guides users through the site, setting them on a journey...

2. User journey.

A user journey is the path a user takes through pages and content, in order to reach something. That 'something' could be a whole range of things. They may have something specific in mind they're looking for, but ideally, your website should be purposefully leading them on a journey which results in them achieving one of your website goals. Along that journey, they should be finding out everything they need to know, gradually building their confidence to convert along the way. This is where your website content and call to actions are crucial.


3. Content.

When it comes to websites (believe it or not), users really aren't that fussed on reading your content. Sure, most want an understanding of who you are and what you do - but they don't want to spend ages reading through endless areas of text. That's why it's important that your content is balanced and doesn't overwhelm the user. Things to aim for with your website content:

For more guidance, have a read of "Website content: the guide to getting it right"

4. Call to actions.

A call to action is when you ask the user to do something, normally to aid with achieving your website goals. This can be a range of things, such as clicking a button, downloading something, or more often than not - filling out a form. Your call to actions should be:

5. Short forms.

There's nothing worse than being greeted by a long form that requires a lot of effort to fill in. The chance of a user filling in your form decreases with every question you add. Yes, some of that information may be needed for your business behind the scenes - but is it needed at that point of the process? Is there an opportunity for you to gather that information later on, after the person has converted? Here are some things you should think about before adding them to your next form:

Summary.

Paying attention to the above points will certainly help keep your website users happier. And a happier user is much more likely to convert. Do you really want to run the risk of losing out to your competition, because your website isn't up to scratch?

If you're in need of a new web design, then we can help. We'll ensure that both your business and your users are happy from start to finish. We also offer graphic design and branding too - helping businesses across the board.


Written by:
Carly Smith.

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