User-friendly websites meet visitors’ expectations. Today’s internet users expect websites to load quickly on mobile or desktop. They also expect intuitive navigation, consistent branding, and sales funnels that make sense to them. Businesses need to be clear on these expectations to ensure their custom web design creates a smooth experience for users.
5 Tips for User-Friendly Custom Web Design
1. Intuitive Navigation
It’s easy to get excited about your business website and want to do something unique, innovative, and unexpected. For some businesses, like movie studios, there is more room for unusual design elements. However, when it comes to your navigation, most businesses want this to meet user expectations.
If users want to contact you, they have already learned where a link should be. It’s most commonly at the bottom or top of the page. If they look at both places and can’t figure out how to do so, they’re likely to go elsewhere.
2. Branding
Your website design needs to consider your branding in every element. If a user familiar with your brand visits sees something off-brand, they’re going to think they’re at the wrong place. If branding throughout the website is inconsistent, new visitors won’t feel they know what your business or website is about.
Consistent branding builds trust with your audience. It gives them visual cues for what your business is about. This makes your website more user-friendly, comfortable, and familiar for visitors. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating how important branding can be for a consistent and user-friendly experience.
3. Scannable
People don’t read websites the same way they read a book. It’s more like reading a newspaper or magazine. We open the page and scan the photos and headlines to see what content we want to check out first. Your website needs to be similarly easy to read with a quick scan.
This means colors and fonts that are easy on the eyes. It also means headlines with relevant keywords, bolded text, and short paragraphs. People should be able to read your website
4. Speed Matters
The internet is a busy place full of distractions. If users have to wait for a page to load, they are more likely to move on to another site. As a rule of thumb, your website should have an average load time of four seconds or less. It’s much better if the page loads within two seconds.
If your website is loading too slowly, consider simplifying the design. Are there many elements all on one page? The cleaner the design, the faster the load time.
5. Clear Calls to Action
When a user is on the main page of your website, what should their next step be? When they read through your about page, should they then be browsing your services page? Or, should they go to your contact page to schedule a meeting with you?
Your call to action is where you tell users the next step in their journey. When these are clear, the user will click to that next step, successfully traveling through your sales funnel. When these are confusing, they may simply leave the page. This is why there is a contact link in the top navigation and at the bottom of the page. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to take action whenever they’re ready.
Your website is the place where people can find everything they want to know about your business. It’s essential that the page represents your brand and makes a memorable first impression. Contact Stat Lead Marketing today to get started on a custom website that showcases your services.