When implementing a responsive website, considering how to optimize the users experience is of the utmost importance. The user experience contributes to the value and quality of a website making it a crucial component of the web development phase.
We’ve put together a list of some characteristics to remember when thinking of user experience. The user is who we cater to, so keeping that knowledge at the forefront of your mind will guarantee success in your designs!
Easy To Navigate
Good websites are easy to use because they are structured and well thought out. When structuring a website one of the first steps of the process is mapping out exactly how the user will navigate through the website. You always want the user to feel it is easy to get from point A to point B without confusion and with minimal steps. If a user doesn’t know where they’re going or how to get there they are less likely to stick around! Tip #1 – make sure your website is easy to maneuver.
Attractive User Interface
Part of user experience is how the user feels when visiting a website. The user interface is the look and feel of a website. A user interface that carefully uses images, colors, typography, and spacing makes for a pleasant experience for those visiting a website. The visual elements of the user interface should maintain consistency throughout and the website should be fully responsive, meaning it looks good on all screen sizes and devices. Tip #2 – Remember the look and feel of your website and keep it consistent!
Quick Page Load Times
No one likes wasting time waiting for a page to load or an application to finish something. Quick load times and efficient processing save users time and provide a pleasant experience. Optimizing page load times will save you from losing a visitor and will make for a positive user experience. Tip #3 – No one likes a slow loading page.
Clean Layout
The layout and structure of well-designed websites are clean and the objective of the site is obvious. The user should know what to do without having to consult an FAQ or manual. The structure and components of the website make accomplishing the users task much easier. Tip #4 – Clean and structured and you can’t go wrong!
Simplicity
The best user interfaces are often the simplest ones. Too many options for a user can make using the website overwhelming. When an interface is simple, users can quickly figure out how it works. By implementing good user experience practices in your website, users will be satisfied and likely to return to your website in the future. Tip #5 – Keep it simple. Simplicity is appealing to the eye.