Essential Web Design Usability Tips
Today's consumers use the Internet for nearly everything, from shopping and paying their bills to getting news updates and finding businesses. Having a website in a technology-driven market is crucial to gaining visibility, reaching new clients and maintaining a competitive edge. Your website not only provides the information that potential customers seek regarding your company's values, services, products and location, but it also makes your brand unforgettable and turns prospects into clients. Below, find essential Web design usability tips that make a successful website.
Keep It Simple:
When your website's goal is to guide viewers from the home page to the product pages, contact forms and shopping carts, you need a design that is clear and easy to navigate. Easy navigation gets users where they want to be with just a few simple clicks. Flashy logos, busy colors or hard-to-read fonts can turn viewers off. Instead, use colors, designs and patterns that are pleasing to the eye and will not distract viewers' attention.
Know Your Audience:
Every person responds to a website differently, but if you know your target audience, you can cater your website design to a specific group of people that may be interested in your business. Websites geared toward children are completely different than websites geared toward corporate businessmen. Take your audience into account when designing your website, making decisions that will appeal, make sense and are familiar to them.
Communicate Your Message:
Many visitors to your website might form an opinion on your company after just a few clicks, either deciding that your services may be right for them, or being completely turned off and moving on to the next website. Be sure to communicate your message clearly and boldly, catching viewers' attention within the few seconds that they may stop by your site. A simple, successful design will communicate who you are and what you do at first glance.
Consider the Content:
Your website's content further communicates your business' message and services, providing the detailed information viewers need to contact your business or purchase a product. When designing a website, consider where and how content is placed on the page. Bold headers, lists and bullet points, and short paragraphs help to break up the content, making it easier to read and follow. Be sure the tone of your design matches the tone of the content, as well, and incorporate call to actions wherever necessary.
Be Consistent:
Web users often have a basic understanding of how websites work when it comes to navigation, shopping carts, forms and other pages. With a familiar, consistent design, viewers are more likely to understand where to find contact information, site maps, company overviews and more. The important thing to remember is that you can be consistent without being boring.
About the Author:
Josh O'Berski writes for Straight North, an interactive marketing firm that specializes in Internet marketing services and Web design in Chicago. Straight North provides results-driven web development and PPC and SEO services.
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