User-friendly websites are the first place a potential visitor will go in the digital age.. If your website isn't easy to navigate or is littered with unreadable text and irrelevant images, it will put visitors off exploring further. Users want to be able to find what they're looking for in as few clicks as possible.
The easier you can make that process, the more likely they are to return again and again. Having a user-friendly website is also essential if you want to appear in search engines like Google and Bing. A user-friendly site also helps you build trust among potential customers. User-friendly websites are therefore an important consideration when designing your website. Let’s look at some proven tips that will make your website user-friendly:
Here are effective tips to make your website user friendly -
Keep The Design Simple
See Google's User Interface. How Simple and Effective
You
can easily create a complicated design on your website, but you need to ask
yourself whether this will make your site user-friendly. If you want your
website to be user-friendly, you will want to keep the design as simple as possible.
A complicated design will distract visitors from what you want them to focus
on. Visitors to your website are likely to just be skimming through your site,
looking for specific information. When your website is too complicated, it’s
easy for visitors to miss the information they were looking for, even if it was
right in front of their nose. Simplicity is key when it comes to designing your
website. You’ll want to keep things as streamlined as possible, so your
visitors don’t become overwhelmed by your design. A cluttered design will make
it hard for your visitors to find what they’re looking for. Keep the design as
simple as possible and your visitors will have an easier time navigating
through your website.
Use Big, Clear Images
Image Credit: Apple.com
The images you use on your website are there to engage visitors. Visually stunning images are often a great way to make a visitor stop scrolling through your website and instead stop and stay awhile.
If you want to encourage your
visitors to stay on your site for longer, then it’s best to use images that are
big and clear. Small images will get lost in the design of your website,
especially if the rest of the design is complicated. If your images are big and
clear, visitors will be able to focus on them for as long as they need to.
Large, clear images are also essential if you want your website to be
user-friendly for people who use screen readers. These are programs that read
the text on your website aloud to those who can’t see it.
Use Labels and Contrast
When creating a user-friendly website, it’s important to use a good deal of contrast. This is because your visitors will likely browse your website in a variety of different settings. Some might be in a well-lit room with plenty of natural light, while others might be in a dimly lit room.
This is why you need
to use contrasting colors and plenty of labels. Visitors will appreciate being
able to quickly scan your website and identify what they need. If your website
is too confusing, they will likely click away and never come back. Visitors to
your website will appreciate having things clearly labeled so they can avoid
clicking on something they don’t want. For example, if you have a tab on your
website that advertises a special sale, you should clearly state that it’s a
sale. Otherwise, a visitor might click on it and be confused as to why they
have gone to an entirely different website.
Don’t Abuse Flash
Many years ago, Flash was used to create interesting, engaging websites. However, research has shown that these websites aren’t user-friendly and can actually turn visitors away. Flash websites are difficult to navigate and often use confusing buttons. More importantly, Flash doesn’t work with every device. Many modern-day devices, such as smartphones, don’t support Flash, making your website nearly impossible for visitors to access.
If you want your website to be user-friendly, avoid using Flash. Instead, use simple buttons and images, and make sure your website can be accessed by everyone, regardless of the device they’re using. If you want to make sure your website is user-friendly, use images and buttons that are large enough for your visitors to easily click on. You don’t want them to have to squint and strain just to click on the “Buy Now” button.
Add Easy-To-Find Navigation
Your website navigation is what allows visitors to jump around your site. If a user wants to go from your homepage to your blog, they will use the navigation to do so. If your navigation is hard to find or is in an awkward place, your visitors will have a hard time getting around your website.
If your navigation is too hidden or isn’t obvious enough, your visitors will have a hard time finding the information they’re looking for. Most people are impatient when browsing the internet. They want to get to the information they’re looking for as quickly as possible. When you make it difficult for your visitors to navigate through your website, they will click away. Instead, make your navigation easy to find. Place it at the top of your website and make sure it’s large and obvious. This way, no matter where your visitor starts browsing, they will be able to find their way around your website.
Summing up
Your website is likely to be one of the first impressions that your potential customers get of your business, so it’s important to make it count. If you want to make your website user-friendly, you will want to keep the design as simple as possible. You will also want to use large, clear images and labels. You don’t want visitors to have to squint and strain just to click on a button. You also don’t want to abuse Flash or make it difficult for your visitors to navigate around the site. By following these tips, you can make your website user-friendly and better equip yourself to welcome new customers.
