Ten Steps To User Friendly Web Design

Your website is the online “shop front” for your business and, just like a physical shop, you have to make it as easy as possible for your customers to browse and buy. This is true regardless of whether you’re selling products directly through your website, or prompting your visitors to enquire about your services. Here are ten ways to make sure your web design has the user’s interests at heart:

1. Opt for a straightforward web design with clear menu navigation.
2. Design your home page as a showcase for your goods and services with punchy headings for each area of your expertise.
3. Don’t use a font size of less than 10 pt – it’s too small to read.
4. Make sure any download links are prominent.
5. Write content that is concise, benefits-driven and relevant.
6. Avoid Flash intros on your home page. They create work for your visitor (who has to press a button to skip).
7. Use text based linking menus rather than drop-down menus.
8. Include a text based sitemap with large title description headings for each page.
9. Avoid large amounts of animated images and/or clickable ads in your web design, as they are off-putting for visitors.
10. Ask your visitors what they think – include opinion polls and surveys on your website.

Finally, take a look at the web design of your competitors’ sites. Look at their site layouts and how they present their information. When studying your competitors’ web design and your own, keep asking yourself the question “how easy is it for a new visitor to use this website?” If there’s an aspect of your site that makes it difficult for the visitor to use, change it immediately: it’s likely to have a direct impact on whether the visitor spends their money with you or with the competition.