There are hundreds if not thousands of tiny things that can affect a user’s experience on a particular website. Designing a user-friendly website can be far more complicated than most people realise. In fact, there have been countless studies conducted on user experience (UX) which highlight key factors such as:
- user expectations
- the logical (or otherwise) pathway through a website
- the impact of pop-ups and other ‘clutter’ on a page
- ease of finding relevant information
- colour schemes and the effect they have on a user’s emotional experience
- language, tone and other content-related concerns
- web standards and best practice.
Why is UX so important for web design? Consider the fact that there are over 1.5 billion websites live today, all vying for users’ attention – which includes your competitor’s websites. You should also bear in mind that on average, your website only has 15 seconds or less to hold the attention of a typical visitor.
Subtle yet important web design mistakes to avoid
If you’re committed to improving the user experience on your website, you’ll need to work with an experienced design and development team such as Ambos Digital. But once their work is done and your site is live, it’s easy for small mistakes and additions to creep in over time. These can interrupt, disrupt and diminish the user experience, so are best avoided. These mistakes include:
- Too much text, resulting in long-scrolling pages. As you add information to a page, perhaps as a new product line or special offer is launched, you need to be careful that the important details don’t get buried. Users who have to scroll down too far to find what they need often don’t stick around. Bear this in mind as your page content is added to over the months and years. Review and edit regularly to keep it concise, organised and easy to read.
- PDFs. Nothing interrupts the browsing experience more than a PDF opening in a new tab – it’s just like having a great conversation with someone when a third party breaks in and starts talking about something else. Often, a user won’t return to the website after viewing a PDF. Bear this in mind when including PDFs, as it may be best to put the content on the page itself.
- Outdated information. Your shiny new website was completed some time ago, but you should be reviewing it regularly to make sure all information is up-to-date. Users may not be able to find what they’re looking for, or be frustrated when the information isn’t accurate. It also makes it look like no one cares about the website and therefore, the business.
- Awful search engines. It may be that the search function on your website was an afterthought, as you focused on getting the design perfect. If so, take a closer look. Search engines that are overly literal, for example, can be a real headache to use. For a great UX, users need to be able to navigate easily, however they choose to use your site.
For expert help designing a user-friendly, dynamic website, or perhaps giving your existing site an overhaul, get in touch with the Ambos Digital team.