Are you a solopreneur or small business owner looking to improve the user experience on your website? Especially for DIY websites, this is crucial to stand out. In this article we will explore the five essential elements that contribute to a well-designed website – and spoiler alert: design is more than colours and fonts 😉
From clear and concise navigation to mobile-friendliness and easy-to-read content, these elements are key to creating an attractive and interactive website that is easy for your visitors to use.
We will also discuss the importance of fast loading times and attention to design in creating a user-friendly website. By following these tips, you can create a stunning website that meets the needs of your visitors and helps you achieve your business goals.
Clear and concise navigation
First off, one of the biggest differentiators, that is often overlooked, is having a clear and concise navigation. This is key for a user-friendly website. It's all about making it easy for your visitors to find what they're looking for.
To do this, the first thing you'll want to do is creating a clear hierarchy of links that is organised in a logical way. This typically involves creating a main menu with top-level categories, and then subcategories for each of those categories.
For example, if you have a clothing store website, your main menu might include categories like "Women's Clothing," "Men's Clothing," "Kids' Clothing," etc. Then, within each of those categories, you might have subcategories like "Dresses," "Tops," "Bottoms," etc.
Keep your navigation titles short and to the point, so people can quickly see what's being offered.
Consistency is key here too, so make sure to use the same elements (like labels and font style) throughout your website. This way, visitors will know they're still in the same area of your site.
Your navigation should not only be organised and consistent, but it should also work well on mobile devices. This means using flexible layouts that can adjust to different screen sizes, ensuring that your website provides a seamless experience for visitors no matter what device they're using.
Mobile-friendliness
More and more people are using smartphones and tablets to access the internet, so it's important that your website meets their needs. To make your website mobile-friendly, you'll want to focus on several key areas.
First, you'll want to make sure your website loads quickly and smoothly on mobile devices. Mobile devices often have slower internet connections compared to home WiFi, so it's important to make sure your website loads quickly on these devices. People are often in a hurry when surfing on mobile devices, so optimising your website for mobile connections is essential.
In addition to fast loading times, you'll also want to make sure your website is easy to navigate with a finger on a touch screen. Keep buttons and text large enough for clicking and tapping, and make sure each page is easy to scroll through.
Another important aspect of mobile-friendliness is so-called "responsive design". This means that your website will "respond" to the device it is being viewed on, adjusting itself as needed to provide a seamless user experience.
For example, if someone is viewing your website on a smartphone, the layout might be different than if they were viewing it on a laptop. By using responsive design, you can ensure that your website looks and functions well no matter what device it is being viewed on.
Depending on the platform you use to create your website, there might be different options to ensure you have a well-functioning responsive website design. Check the platform's documentation to see what options you have available.
Easy-to-read content
Another important elements of a user-friendly website is easy-to-read content. After all, what's the point of having a website if people can't understand what you're saying? To make your content easy to read, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
First, use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that might be confusing to your readers. Instead, use simple, straightforward language that anyone can understand. If you cannot avoid jargon, make sure to explain it in simple terms, so that your target audience can easily understand it.
In addition to clear language, you'll also want to pay attention to the layout and formatting of your content. Use short paragraphs, subheadings, and bullet points to break up large blocks of text. This makes it easier for people to scan your content and find the information they're looking for.
It's also a good idea to use a font that is easy to read. Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica are generally considered to be more readable on screens, while serif fonts like Times New Roman are better suited for print. Experiment with different fonts to see what works best for your website.
Finally, make sure to proofread your content to ensure it's free of spelling and grammar errors. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to read content that is riddled with mistakes.
Accessibility
In addition to being visually appealing and easy to use, it's important that your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This means making sure your website can be accessed and used by people who rely on assistive technologies, such as screen readers or keyboards, to navigate the internet.
There are several things you can do to make your website more accessible. One simple but effective step is to use proper headings and structures in your content. This means using HTML tags for headings like h1, h2, and h3 to break up your content and make it easier for people to read and understand.
If you have never worked with HTML and use a website builder, such as Carrd, Wix, Webflow, etc., here's a quick introduction:
HTML tags are used to mark up the content of a webpage, indicating to the browser how it should be displayed. The h1, h2, h3,... tags are used to create headings, with h1 being the most important. By using these tags, you can create a clear hierarchy in your content.
There are other useful HTML tags like header, nav, and footer. These can also help improve the accessibility of your website. They help to clearly define the different parts of your content, making it easier for people using assistive technologies like screen readers to navigate your website.
While it's not necessary for every website owner to be proficient in HTML, it's important to understand the role these tags play in making your website more accessible. If you're using a website builder like Carrd or Wix, there are usually options available to set up proper headings and structures in your content.
Another important aspect in website accessibility is using descriptive and concise alt text for images. This helps screen readers understand the content of your images and makes it easier for users with visual impairments to understand what's being shown.
Attention to design
Design is an important aspect of any website, as it can impact how visitors perceive your brand and whether they want to engage with your content. While design is more than just choosing the right colours and fonts, these elements are certainly important.
To create a visually appealing website, consider using a colour scheme that is consistent throughout the site and complements your brand. Choose fonts that are easy to read and not too small or too large. Avoid using too many different fonts, as this can be overwhelming for visitors.
Effective design also involves creating a layout that is visually appealing and easy to navigate. This means using whitespace to separate different sections of your website, using images and graphics to break up blocks of text, and using a consistent font and colour scheme throughout your site.
Overall, paying attention to design can greatly improve the user experience on your website. By choosing the right colours, fonts, and layout, you can create a visually appealing website that makes people feel at ease.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating a user-friendly website involves more than just good looks. It's about creating a website that is easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, easy to read, accessible, and well-designed.
By following these tips, you will be able to create a website that meets the needs of your visitors and helps you achieve your business goals.
