8 Characteristics of a User-Friendly Website
Your website could feature the most amazing content in the world, but if it’s not user-friendly and easy to understand and navigate, no one will see and move on. Usability and design are some of the most crucial aspects you need to get right when making a website, as they can very quickly determine whether your audience stays or leaves your site. If your site has too many hoops to jump through or isn’t structured and streamlined, you’ll struggle to hold meaningful traffic. If you want to improve your website conversions, here are eight characteristics of a user-friendly website that you should follow.
Fast loading times
The expectation for websites to load quickly is always there. If your website takes more than 3 seconds to load, people are far more likely to try a different website and hit the back button. Fast internet speeds are widespread for the average consumer, so it’s essential to ensure your website is optimised for fast loading times.
Make it mobile-friendly
According to Prosperity Media, mobile devices (excluding tablets) accounted for 51.98 percent of web page views worldwide. If you haven’t considered making your website mobile-friendly, then you are critically injuring your audience reach.
Use an easy to understand website structure
Navigating through your website should not be difficult. A user should land on any page of your site and find what they are looking for quickly and easily. A logically designed website will help the user experience be more enjoyable and less time-consuming. If you want to test your website, ask a friend or colleague that hasn’t used it before to find a specific page/area you need and see how quickly they can get there. You’ll see very quickly if changes need to be made. It may be worthwhile hiring web designers for a small business, so you can get the best UX design while continuing to focus on the other aspects of running a company.
Avoid using jargon
Jargon is confusing for those who don’t understand it. Hearing too much of it can also be a huge turn off for any user trying to engage with a website. Clear and concise copywriting will allow your content to flow and is the best way to get your message across. If you must include jargon in your content, describe it before giving the jargon name.
Ensure browser consistency
People can access the internet from many avenues and devices. Similarly to mobile devices, different browsers come in all shapes and sizes and may have varying setups. When developing your website, make sure it behaves consistently across all browsers and device screen types for a smooth experience all around. Your trusty website consultants can ensure this is done right.
Clear call to actions
Call to action prompts or written directives command the user to click on the action you suggest, like “Buy Now” or “Sign Up Today”. This is generally where you get your client info from, so it’s crucial that these buttons are clear and your content before them inspire the user to respond to your call to action. Local SEO specialists in the Northern Beaches can show you how to maximise your call to action with the use of SEO.
Easy to fill out forms
When people respond to your call to action buttons, you usually present them with a form to enter their information. Keeping this form tidy and concise is crucial for users to follow through and give you their information. A messy/unorganised form with inadequate labelling not only confuses the client but may lead them away from your site. Think about the structure of your forms if your numbers are low.
Get feedback from your users
Sometimes, the best information you can find on improving your website is from those who regularly use it. Take some time to ask your regular visitors what they’d like to see from your site. Of course, some requests will be unrealistic, but take each one with a grain of salt and decide if some valuable points can be used to further improve the user’s website experience.