This morning, we were inspired by a post over at Hubspot that detailed 10 Tips That Can Drastically Improve Your Website’s User Experience. Here’s five tips that stood out, as well as our own take on this awesome advice.
1. White space does wonders.
Don’t litter your site with too much text, a bunch of call to actions, and flashing ads. A little bit of white space actually goes a long way. If offers a fresh, modern feel, and enhances the browsing experience.
2. Use non conventional bullet points.
Think of it this way, which would you rather read? A 500 word paragraph, or a 250 word paragraph, followed by a bulleted list? Our brain simply responds better to short chunks of information. It helps us slowly process, and take in little bits of information, one step at a time. Instead of using generic bullet points, separate content with branded icons.
3. First impression is everything.
When a user visits your site for the first time, they’re waiting to be wowed. And for the most part, less is truly more. Include a few eyecatching images on your front page, but don’t overdo it. Usually 2-3 large images will do the trick. Don’t fill your homepage slider with a dozen photos. This is just completely ineffective, and makes you look unprofessional.
4. Consistency is key.
Don’t target 100 different keywords. Have one clear purpose. When users land on your front page, what’s the ideal response? If you had to list three words that describe your product or service, what would they be? Make sure these themes are clearly represented throughout the entire site.
5. Keep your headings conversational.
Make sure each heading is easy to read. Don’t include high level vocabulary, or paste a run on sentence at the top of your front page. When designing your site, pretend you’re engaging potential users in a conversation about your product or service. This will help you write simple and catchy headings that encourage results.