Unlocking the Power of Website UX: our 10 Top Tips

In a world where we’re constantly searching for information online, people need to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily when they land on your website. In fact, users will usually form an opinion of a website in about half a second. That’s linked with how quickly it loads and what the branding and copy looks like.  After that initial impression, the first 10 seconds of a page visit are critical in persuading them to stay or leave, and their journey through your website dictates if they’re likely to become a customer. So how can you make their journey a positive one? User experience (UX)!

Website UX refers to the overall experience a person has when interacting with a website. It’s not just about how a website looks, but how well it functions when someone is using it. Good UX design will help your users navigate the website easily, access the information they want to and make an enquiry or purchase without getting frustrated.

In short: a seamless user experience influences lead generation or sales, your website’s performance on search engines (SEO) and customer satisfaction. The bottom line: great UX means better SEO rankings, higher engagement and more customers.

In this blog we’re sharing our website design and development team’s top 10 UX tips to help you get your website working hard for you, all day every day! Let’s dive in…

1. Make navigation easy. A website’s navigation should be clear, easy to read, and consistent across all pages. The layout should feel intuitive, so users don’t have to think about where to go next. Avoid too many levels of navigation—two is ideal to prevent confusion. Keep the main menu clean and concise and avoid using long or unclear wording.
2. Pick images carefully! Images aren’t just decorative; they also play a crucial role in conveying your brand message. Make sure your images align with your website’s colour scheme and brand identity. The right image can capture attention and reinforce your content. Also, ensure your images are appropriately sized for quick loading times.
3. Align your colour scheme with your branding. Your website’s colour scheme should match your branding and logo, but make sure you stick to a limited palette. Less is more when it comes to colours on a website. Check the buttons or links are the same colour across all pages. This consistency enhances both UX, as it guides people around, and the website’s visual appeal.
4. Consider SEO integration. While SEO is largely about content, design plays a role too. A good web designer understands the core tenants of SEO and incorporates these elements into the design. From clean code to content hierarchy, everything should contribute to your site’s ‘searchability’ and ranking.
5. Typography consistency. Our advice is to stick to two or three fonts max. Consistency in font use across headers, buttons, and body text creates a polished and cohesive design. Most importantly, make sure the fonts you choose are easy to read on all devices.
6. Don’t forget contrast and readability. Your website text should always stand out against its background. Avoid low-contrast combinations that are difficult to read and ensure that text size is comfortable for all users, bearing in mind accessibility needs like colour blindness. Break up long paragraphs with headings to make your content easier to digest.
7. Responsive design is key. Websites need to look great on all devices, from desktop screens to tablets and mobile phones. Responsive design ensures that your website adjusts automatically to different screen sizes without breaking the layout or design elements.
8. Use descriptive links. Try not to use vague links like “click here” or even worse “button” Instead, use descriptive text that tells users where the link will take them. For example, “Contact us” or “Read our blog” makes it clear what someone can expect.
9. Don’t forget usability. A website should be intuitive and easy to navigate. Use clear titles, descriptive buttons, and avoid overwhelming users with cluttered pages. The goal is to guide your web users smoothly through the site, helping them find what they need quickly.
10.  Stick to web design convention. Most web design conventions are in place for good reason, and that’s because they help users navigate more easily. For instance, logos are typically in the top left corner, and the main navigation is usually at the top. While creativity is great, breaking these conventions without a really good reason could harm usability. So, we recommend you stick to a logical content hierarchy and use familiar button placements to enhance both UX and SEO.

Think your website needs a UX makeover?

At Black Nova Designs, we understand the importance of a great website UX. Whether you need a full redesign or just a refresh, our team is here to help you create a website that’s easy to navigate, looks fantastic and performs well in search engines. You can browse our web services here or get in touch with us today to see how we can help you take your website’s user experience to the next level!