Making your site aesthetically appealing and on top of search won’t cut it if visitors can’t find the information they need – quickly and effortlessly. This is why the most successful websites are generally characterized by ease of use.
Usability factors include:
Intuitive site navigation
Your navigation is the roadmap to your content. A clear, organized and intuitive navigation can help provide an optimal user experience.
Style and layout
Beyond graphics, color palette and layouts, an effective website should be organized and laid out in a way that users can quickly find what they need. Especially if your site is largely informational, you’ll want a a website design company that knows how to style content for optimal usability. Examples include header styles, a copy hierarchy and choosing appropriate fonts and line spacing.
Responsive web design
With more than 50% of all website traffic now coming from mobile devices and Google including mobile-friendliness in its algorithm for search rankings on mobile search, you may need a site that seamlessly adjusts to all screen sizes. Make sure your designer is current on responsive web design standards.
Quick load times
Online customers want information now. That’s why site performance is vitally important. Your website designer should be able to help you balance a desire for high-resolution images with the need for quick load times.
Clear calls to action
Your website should tell your visitors what to do next without being pushy or condescending. Look at competitive websites’ calls to action to determine what works and what doesn’t – and then make sure your own website copy and design is at least as good as theirs. Ask your website designer what resources they have for improving copy and making it actionable.
