12 Simple Tips for UX/UI Designers to Improve Website Usability

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Work on the usability of navigation
• Test floating elements
• Use arrows
• Evaluate the usability of the menu
• Save the state of the previous page
• Give an example of filling out forms
• Use standard icons
• Pay attention to buttons
• Make sure all interactions are interpreted unambiguously
• Don't ignore the power of service pages
• Use dropdowns for large amounts of text
• Make your contacts visible

Introduction

The creators and users of the site strive for one goal - completing the target action. When a user intends to make a purchase or obtain necessary information, the process should be quick and simple. Completing a targeted action generates profits for business owners. A website's success directly depends on its design and user-friendliness. Optimizing the interface and content plays a key role in achieving this goal, ensuring a smooth and intuitive experience for visitors.

This guide will provide you with useful information to help you understand these important aspects. We'll provide clear and practical advice and cover key points to consider. You'll be able to easily apply the knowledge you've gained in your own work. Stay with us to get the most relevant and useful information.

• how to improve navigation;
• how to correctly position floating elements;
• why use arrows;
• what can be corrected in the menu;
• about an important property of forms and how to help when filling out forms;
• what icons to use;
• how to make buttons correctly;
• what prevents the user from making the right choice;
• what features are hidden by service pages;
• how to make pages with a large amount of text more convenient;
• why contacts need special attention.

The design of a website or application can be characterized through the concepts of UX and UI. UI design includes the development of the visual design of the interface with which the user interacts. Modern websites, as a rule, cope with this task successfully, providing an attractive and intuitive interface. However, it's important to remember that high-quality UI design must be complemented by a sound UX strategy to ensure a user-friendly and comfortable experience. Striking a balance between aesthetics and functionality is key to achieving success in web design. UX, or User Experience, is a key aspect of modern web design. It impacts the usability and ease of use of the interface. Even if a website has an attractive design and clearly describes the benefits of a product or service, a poor user experience can cause users to abandon it in favor of competitors. Therefore, optimizing the user experience should be a priority for website owners seeking to retain visitors and increase conversions. Improving UX involves analyzing user behavior, simplifying navigation, and adapting content to audience needs, which ultimately contributes to increased user satisfaction. The desire for uniqueness often leads to websites with unusual designs, but this can negatively impact the user experience. Before focusing on the visual concept, it is important to first develop a user-friendly and intuitive interface. Good UX should be a priority, as it determines how easy it is for users to interact with your website and find the information they need. Finding the right balance between originality and functionality will help you create a website that is not only attractive but also user-friendly.

Website usability is determined not only by large aspects but also by seemingly insignificant details. Often, elements such as menu items, icons, tooltips, and contact forms are overlooked during research, testing, and scenario development. These components play a key role in achieving the website owner's primary goal—inducing users to purchase or order a service. Proper organization and design of these elements can significantly increase website conversion and improve user experience.

A little statistics on the current state and trends in various fields can greatly aid in analyzing the situation. According to recent data, there is steady growth in certain economic sectors, indicating positive changes. For example, employment levels are increasing, and the average income of the population is rising. It is also worth noting that consumer preferences are changing, opening up new opportunities for business. These facts highlight the importance of constantly monitoring statistical indicators for making informed decisions and strategic planning. Accessing up-to-date data allows you to more accurately assess risks and opportunities, which is especially important in a rapidly changing market environment.

• Clothing company Anthropologie edited its catalog according to UX principles and increased sales by 24%.
• Consulting firm GFK made the "Buy" button more user-friendly and received an additional 500 million in annual revenue.
• Bank of America changed the registration form and increased the number of registered users by 45%.

The experience of leading global companies demonstrates that even small changes to the user experience (UX) of an existing website can significantly improve the effectiveness of user interaction with the resource. Improving UX contributes to increased conversion and customer satisfaction, which ultimately affects the success of the business.

In this article, we present 11 simple recommendations that will help significantly improve the user experience (UX) of your website. Implementing changes according to our checklist requires little effort, and the results will be visible almost immediately. Improving UX contributes to increased user satisfaction and conversion, making your website more effective.

Improve navigation usability

Users should clearly understand their location on the site, how they arrived on the current page, how to navigate to the desired content, and how to return to the home page. Despite the fact that these are basic aspects, many web developers often overlook them. Therefore, it is important to check how intuitive the navigation is and whether it is easy to use. Implementing some navigation elements may be simple, but will significantly improve the user experience and increase the overall effectiveness of the site.

To improve navigation on your site, we recommend highlighting the title of the current page in the menu. This can be done by changing the color, adding a border, or adding a background. This approach will help users easily navigate and understand at what stage they are in the site structure.

Add breadcrumbs - an interface element that demonstrates the user's path to the current page. Each breadcrumb element should be clickable, allowing the user to easily return to any level of the hierarchy. To save space, mobile versions or apps typically display only the title of the previous page, which allows the user to navigate to the next higher level of the directory. This navigation element improves user experience and contributes to better site indexing in search engines.

Test floating elements.

Floating elements are an effective tool for improving website navigation. Menus, social media buttons, and chat windows are always visible to the user, simplifying interaction with the content. This allows users to quickly and easily access the necessary functions without being distracted from the main content of the page.

If your website uses pop-ups or other elements, check that they don't obscure important interface elements as users scroll through different pages. Pay particular attention to the mobile version of your website, as pop-ups can take up a significant portion of the limited workspace, negatively impacting user experience and navigation. Optimizing the placement of such elements will improve user interaction with your website and increase its overall effectiveness.

In web design, it's unacceptable to allow a user experience that causes discomfort due to the interface. Incorrect placement of floating elements can lead to a degraded user experience and, as a result, to loss of customers. If you can't avoid using floating elements, consider making them fixed on the screen. It's also important to regularly analyze the effectiveness of pop-up forms and chats. They may not be producing the expected results and should be excluded from your interface. Optimizing user experience and increasing conversion are key aspects of a successful web application.

Many users are irritated by the appearance of a window offering to chat with an operator or chatbot while they are leisurely browsing a website. It is recommended not to initiate a dialogue without prior action from the user. This will help avoid a negative experience and improve visitor satisfaction.

Use arrows

Long pages of content can be inconvenient for users, especially if they want to quickly return to the menu. Scrolling up a page can be tedious and time-consuming. This can lead to loss of interest and, ultimately, to leaving the site. To improve user experience, it is important to implement navigation elements that allow quick movement around the page.

At the bottom of long pages and landing pages, we recommend placing a "Back to Top" arrow button. This will allow the user to quickly return to the top of the page without having to scroll back down. A single click on the button is enough to simplify navigation and improve the user experience. Placing such a button not only increases convenience, but also helps retain visitors on the site.

Back arrows and "Next" are a convenient navigation tool for websites with sequential pages or multiple levels of nesting. These elements take up minimal space and are easily integrated into the interface, making them an effective solution for improving the user experience. Arrows allow users to quickly move between pages, promoting a more comfortable and intuitive interaction with the site's content. Improved navigation not only increases user satisfaction, but can also have a positive impact on SEO, as it makes it easier for search engines to index pages.

Evaluate the usability of the menu

The menu is a key element of any website. As content grows and new items are added, the menu structure may remain unchanged, which leads to its confusion. Long and overloaded menus make it difficult for users to find the information they need, which may cause them to leave the site. Evaluate the menu from the perspective of someone visiting your resource for the first time. How convenient and intuitive is it? A proper menu structure improves navigation and promotes user retention.

Study Jef Raskin's recommendations for creating user-friendly and effective design systems. His experience and approaches will help you develop interfaces that are as intuitive as possible for users. Familiarization with his advice will allow you to improve interaction and increase user satisfaction with your products.

If your menu contains many significant items, it is recommended to improve navigation by dividing it into two parallel lines. The first line can contain key information about the company and terms of service, and the second - a catalog of services or products offered. This approach not only makes information easier to understand, but also improves user experience, which has a positive impact on your website's SEO. A proper menu structure helps visitors find the information they need faster, which in turn increases the likelihood that they will return and engage with your business.

Consider using multi-level Lists to simplify navigation on a site with a complex structure. Categorize menu items to help users find the information they need easily. Less important items can be placed in the footer of the site, which will help keep the main menu clean and organized.

Save the state of the previous page

Ensure that the user does not have to repeat actions on the site that they have already performed. This will improve the user experience and increase the ease of navigation. Reducing the number of repeated actions promotes more effective interaction with the resource and increases the level of visitor satisfaction.

If the user has entered data or applied filters, and then moved to the next page and decides to return, the previously entered values ​​​​should be saved. This ensures ease of use and allows the user not to lose the information they entered, improving the overall experience of interacting with the site.

Repeatedly filling out forms and selecting filters creates significant friction for users. This can lead to site visitors leaving the page without completing their purchase, unwilling to enter their information again. Simplifying the checkout process and minimizing repeated actions helps increase conversions and customer satisfaction.

Give us an example of filling out forms

The ease of filling out forms is an important aspect that positively affects the image of your company. Optimized forms increase customer satisfaction and contribute to increased conversions. Make sure your forms are simple and intuitive for users. This not only improves the user experience but also promotes customer loyalty, which in turn has a positive impact on your brand reputation.

Use descriptive descriptions in input fields so that users clearly understand the format in which they should enter their data. In mobile applications, it is recommended to set a specific character input format so that when you tap on a field, the corresponding layout automatically opens. This not only improves the user experience, but also helps reduce errors when entering information.

Use standard icons

Complex and ornate Forms on contest websites are inappropriate. Regular users prefer simplicity and an intuitive interface. They are already accustomed to standard scripts and symbols, so replacing familiar symbols, such as a shopping cart icon with a box or a bow, can cause confusion. This confusion when using the site can lead users to prefer competitors. Creating a clear and user-friendly interface is key to increasing conversion and visitor retention on your site.

User login and registration are indicated by a person icon and are located in the upper right corner of the site. The shopping cart is presented as a familiar cart icon, and the favorites section is indicated by a heart or star icon. These navigation elements make the shopping process convenient and intuitive for users.

It is important to consider that generally accepted Symbols lose their relevance over time. A striking example is the floppy disk icon, traditionally used to represent the save function, which is gradually being replaced by new symbols. This led to an interesting anecdote: one Twitter user jokingly noted that the "Save" icon in Word resembles a vending machine. Interestingly, Microsoft, taking a conservative approach, hasn't updated this icon yet.

Obsolete icons include icons of telephones with a handset, as well as images of a pot-bellied monitor and photographic film with perforations along the edges. These symbols are becoming less relevant in a modern context, where digital technology and new communication formats take center stage. Over time, such icons lose their meaning and understanding, as users increasingly prefer modern alternatives that reflect current realities.

Pay Attention to Buttons

Make sure the buttons on your site have clearly distinguishable states. This includes visual changes on hover, press, and disable. Clear visual indicators help the user understand that a button is interactive and ready for action. Proper button state design improves user experience and increases conversion. Use contrasting colors and textures to highlight different states to ensure simple and easy interaction.

• normal state;
• change on mouse hover;
• pressed state;
• inactive button;
• button in focus (used for keyboard navigation).

Color, background, and stroke are the primary ways to visually identify buttons. It is important that the difference between an active and inactive button is obvious. For example, if an active button is colored blue and an inactive button is only slightly lighter, the user may not notice the difference. Modern layout technologies provide many opportunities to improve the visual perception of buttons. You can use not only different colors, but also vary transparency, add glow or shadows, which significantly improves the user interface and increases the ease of interaction with controls.

One common method of interacting with a button in forms is to disable it until all fields are filled. As soon as the user enters data in the last field, the button changes to a brighter color, indicating it is clickable. The remaining button states depend only on the cursor position and click response. This approach not only improves user experience, but also promotes more accurate form filling, reducing the likelihood of errors.

Learn how to create different button states in Figma, In our detailed guide, we'll cover how to customize elements such as the normal state, hover state, active state, and disabled state of a button. Learn button design best practices and improve the user experience of your project.

Ensure all interactions are unambiguous

Ambiguous wording and unintuitive icons in the UI can cause confusion, which negatively impacts the effectiveness of interactions with the site. Proper UX design is important for ensuring clarity and ease of use, which contributes to a better user experience and higher conversions.

Graphics play a crucial role, but so do UX copy, which should be clear and unambiguous. For example, if the user needs to delete information or cancel an action, the confirmation message should be different from the copy associated with closing a dialog box. The optimal approach is to formulate the question in a dialog box and provide the user with a choice between “Yes” and “No”. This will help avoid misunderstandings and make interaction with the interface more intuitive and comfortable.

When using toggle buttons, it is recommended to visually indicate their state by changing color or opacity. This will allow users to easily determine whether the switcher is activated or not. Proper visualization of button states improves user experience and makes the interface more intuitive.

Explore our resource on UX writing. We offer valuable tips and advice to help you create effective and engaging user experiences. Understanding UX writing principles will improve interaction with your product and increase user satisfaction. Learn how to properly structure information, choose style and tone, and optimize text for search engines. Proper use of UX writing is a crucial part of successful design and development.

Don't Ignore the Power of Service Pages

Service pages are an important element of a website because they inform users about unexpected situations, such as errors, non-existent pages, or missing search results. Instead of simply notifying users of a problem, you can use these pages to build trust in your site, promote products or services, and help users make decisions. For example, you can offer alternative links, useful resources, or recommendations that will help maintain user interest in your site and improve the overall perception of your brand.

• Error 404 (page not found): inform the user that such a page does not exist and suggest following the link to the home page or to another interesting section;
• Error 503 (service unavailable): express regret that the service is being worked on and write when it will be finished;
• Error 403 (access denied): advise visiting other sections of the site or registering;
• And if the desired product is not found, invite the user to view similar or popular ones, adding a link to them.

Error messages often evoke negative emotions in users. To soften this effect, you can use humor, which will help create a more positive impression. The correct approach to formulating errors not only improves user experience but also contributes to increased product loyalty. Using a light and ironic tone in error messages can defuse the atmosphere and make interaction with the service more friendly.

Use dropdowns for large amounts of text

According to research in the field of perception psychology, the human brain has difficulty processing large amounts of text on the screen. If it is not possible to reduce the amount of information, it is advisable to use dropdowns. This method allows for a more structured organization of information, making it easier for users to understand and navigate. Questions and answers are often implemented using dropdowns, which is becoming a familiar feature for users. This mechanism allows for a convenient organization of information, making it easier to find answers to frequently asked questions. Using dropdowns helps reduce the visual load on a page, providing access to the necessary information in just a few clicks. This approach improves the user experience and promotes more effective interaction with the content. Dropdowns are an effective solution for simplifying page design and making it more compact. However, it should be kept in mind that users may often not expand such elements, which can lead to the inaccessibility of important content. When using dropdowns, it is important to analyze exactly what content you want to hide to ensure its accessibility and improve the user experience. Proper use of dropdowns can increase page interactivity and ease navigation.

If you plan to use dropdowns for When organizing certain sections of text, place the most important or compelling information first. This will create interest in the user and encourage them to expand the element and read the rest of the content. This approach helps retain attention and improves information comprehension, which is an important aspect for improving user experience and page optimization for search engines.

The inverse pyramid principle, widely used in news journalism, is an effective text structuring technique. In this approach, key information is placed at the beginning, allowing the reader to immediately absorb the main events and facts. Less significant details follow, and secondary information is placed at the end of the text. This writing style promotes rapid information absorption and retains the audience's attention, which is especially important in the modern media landscape. Using the inverse pyramid principle not only helps convey the essence of the message but also optimizes the text for search engines, improving its visibility and accessibility for readers.

When working with dropdowns, it is important to pay special attention to the choice of words at the beginning. Every word should be carefully considered to ensure clarity and user-friendliness. Proper wording will help improve interaction and make website navigation more efficient.

Make Your Contact Us Visible

Providing contact information is an important aspect not only of user convenience but also of building trust in your brand. Therefore, contact information should be easily accessible and visible on the website. Make sure that contact information is presented prominently and updated as needed. This will help improve customer interactions and increase the overall level of trust in your resource.

When a potential client sees a phone number on your website, it gives them confidence that they can easily contact the company for the information they need. Therefore, including a phone number on every page of the site is a must. In addition, it is useful to include other contact information, such as email, office address, and a contact form. This will increase the level of trust in your business and simplify interaction with customers.

• Email - increases trust in you, and there are still email users.
• Messengers - Telegram and WhatsApp will be enough.
• Social networks - do not forget that they must be active.
• A form for entering a phone number for those who prefer to be called.

Users prefer to communicate with the company through instant messaging apps rather than social media. However, links to social media pages serve an important image-building function. Regularly updating content demonstrates the company's activity and creates an impression of its viability. This also helps build customer trust and increases brand loyalty. Effective use of social media can significantly improve a company's image and draw attention to its products and services.

If a user can't find your contact information, they may abandon your services and turn to competitors. Make sure your contact information is easily accessible on your website to prevent customer loss. Correct placement of contact information will increase trust in your business and improve interaction with potential clients.