A cool looking website doesn't necessarily = conversions.
You can have the most beautiful website in the world, but if someone lands on it and doesn't immediately know what you do/who it's for, OR if they struggle to find what they're looking for, chances are they're going to leave your website.
Instead when creating or making changes to your website, ask yourself, "how will this help my target audience?"
Many web designers (and DIY business owners) are so focused on creating a beautiful, unique website that they forget to consider the importance of the user experience.
So, with this in mind, we're going to talk about how to create a user-centric website design in 2024.
This way, you can stay focused on what you need to succeed, and avoid getting distracted by the latest shiny thing as you create your website.
User-Centric Website Design - 2024
Creating a website that prioritizes user experience is crucial for business success. With the help of advanced web builders like Wix, you can quickly establish your online presence, gather valuable data, and start generating revenue.
What is User-Centered Website Design?
It is an on going process that places an emphasis on creating a website based on the user's needs so it is easy for them to complete a task.
This guide will walk you through the key principles of user-centric website design and how platforms like Wix can be instrumental in your journey towards online prosperity.
1. Understand Your Audience's Needs
Before diving into building your website, take time to understand your target audience's preferences, behaviors, and pain points. Start by creating user personas to better guide your design decisions and determine how you should prioritize your content.
Take your time when creating your copy and keep it focused on your customer. Many business owners are so excited about their offer that they end up mainly talking about themselves.
Instead, focus on what's in it for your customer (benefits and what to expect from working with you).
How to focus on the benefits for your customer and show them you:
Understand the problems and concerns they face during their buying journey.
Are willing to educate and provide information that will help them make an informed decision.
Can be trusted to improve their lives after they've worked with you.
2. Make Navigating Your Site Easy
The navigation of your website should be easy to find, and easy to use. Its incredibly important that you create an intuitive navigation structure that makes it simple for visitors to find what they're looking for while also meeting the needs of your business.
Prioritize functionality and consistency over a flashy design.
Here are some tips for creating an intuitive navigation for your website:
Create a simple, consistent menu structure: Your menu should be prominent, clear and concise with its naming scheme (labels should reflect the content within subcategories and pages).
Place the menu where visitors will expect it to be (at the top of the website or on the left side of the page).
Avoid ambiguity and utilize descriptive labels (avoid any jargon or technical terms that may be confusing to someone who doesn't have the expertise that you have).
Integrate a search bar somewhere prominent (consider utilizing an auto-suggest or a popular prompt).
Include discreet breadcrumbs as a navigational aid (this is especially useful for websites with complex structures or a significant amount of content).
Optimize for mobile devices (determine if you can provide a better experience by minimizing the amount of content shown on mobile vs. desktop - more on this below).
Keep in mind that most visitors aren't going to want to hunt for what they're looking for. Make sure you strike a balance between a navigation that's stylish AND accessible.
To learn more about building an accessible website with Wix, click here.
3. Prioritize a Mobile-Friendly Design
Nowadays, there's a good chance visitors will be visiting your website while on the go. Ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is a great way to provide the best possible experience to a wider audience.
Wix and Mobile Devices
With the standard Wix Editor, you have access to a mobile editor. As you build your site, or make any future changes (and definitely before you launch), make sure you optimize your website in the mobile editor so it's mobile-friendly.
The Wix Studio provides a fully responsive website, whereas the standard Wix Editor creates an adaptive site. This is not a separate site and will still ensure that your site is optimized for mobile devices.
Tips to ensure you provide a great user experience on mobile:
Optimize images (images that are too large will slow down your page load time).
Keep your design simple (use readable fonts and avoid using many animations, which can also impact load time).
Avoid using fixed-width elements (use flexible grid layouts when possible).
Preview and test your website often (it's important to consistently check back with the mobile editor after making changes or adding new content to ensure it is optimized to provide the best possible experience to mobile users).
4. Visual Appeal Matters
The look of your website matters, but not at the expense of the user experience. You can create a great looking website without sacrificing functionality.
Striking images, well-chosen fonts, and a cohesive color scheme will contribute to a positive user experience and make your brand look more professional.
If you don't have quality images, or don't want to feature yourself prominently on your website, use stock photos and professional design elements.
Tips on photos and your overall design:
Take time to plan which content you want to include and prioritize it based on importance - organizing your content in a way that guides a user through your website so it's not overwhelming and tells a story will help provide a better experience.
Photos should clearly show what you do AND either your target audience in their current state (highlight their pain points) or your target audience in their future state (showcase what life could be like after working with you).
Limit the number of fonts to 2-3 (ideally 2) - this will help with page load speed and consistency of a brand with a specific font for titles and one for paragraphs and smaller text.
Choose a cohesive color scheme and stick to it (don't forget to make sure it's accessible) - here's a free contrast checker that will show you which color combinations pass the test and also provides an explanation.
Utilize icons and informational graphics where applicable to communicate your message through visuals - no one wants to read endless walls of text, so break it up with icons and graphics.
When it comes to the design for your brand, consistency is key. After you choose your fonts, color scheme and design elements, stick with them!
5. Page Speed Optimization
Slow-loading pages can frustrate visitors and lead them to abandon your site before they even see your content. A fast-loading website creates a positive initial impression and encourages users to explore further.
Users expect fast-loading websites. This means you'll want to make time to compress images, limit animations, and prioritize your content to make sure you have quick page load times.
Tips for speeding up your website:
Turn on Caching: Once a page is cached, it loads more quickly for all subsequent visitors.
Limit the Amount of 3rd Party Code: These can slow down and impact site performance, so be sure to weight the importance of adding 3rd party code.
Minimize the use of Animations: If you don't have a lot of content on your page, animations are okay to use, but keep in mind that the more animations you apply, the more time it will take to load the page.
Images & Media: Upload the highest quality version of an image, but make sure it's not over 25MB. JPGs are preferred over PNGs where applicable & SVG is best for design assets and logos.
Create a Seamless & Engaging Experience
This guide to user-centric website design in 2024 places an emphasis on the importance of creating a seamless and engaging experience for your audience because ultimately, that is who your focus should be!
If you're looking for a web builder to help you on this journey, Wix serves as a powerful ally. It offers tools and features you'll need to get online quickly, gather crucial data, and make data-driven decisions.
By focusing on user-centric design principles and leveraging the capabilities of Wix, you can not only enhance user satisfaction, but also position your online business for success.
Need Help Getting Online with a Marketing Plan for Success?
We appreciate that creating a website and a personalized marketing plan for your business can be incredibly overwhelming.
At Border7, we believe your website is a consistent work in progress as you work to get online, gather data, and fine tune it to provide the best possible experience to your target audience.
Let us help you create an online business that drives growth and supports the life you want to live. Start your journey today with a free consultation with our team!
