Though aesthetics are an important part of a good website, they are not what success hinges on. The key to a high-functioning and user-friendly website is usability. 

Customers head to a website because they’re in search of something. Everything on said website should work in tandem to help the customer achieve that goal. Each feature must have a purpose – one that is clear-cut and concise. If a feature is presented that doesn’t function correctly, it might as well not be there at all. 

If a website has more pain points than enjoyable aspects, there’s something wrong. We’re here to explain what it takes to create a website that people will come back to again and again. 

Don’t Make Them Think

People don’t come to websites to decipher codes or find out what clicking certain buttons does. They want a straightforward and clean interface; there should be no guesswork involved when it comes to traversing your website. 

Features on your site should be obvious and self-explanatory. There should be no question marks or big decision making when it comes to navigation. In order to eradicate your users’ questions, your site should be as intuitive as possible. 

Patience is Limited

No one wants to spend oodles of time filling out forms that send feedback to creators. They’d rather click around and play with different site features, finding out for themselves what your page can do. 

Asking for an email address after a customer sees the benefits of your website is always the right way to go. Asking for contact information before they’ve had a chance to do anything only puts people off, and they’ll probably exit your page. 

Visual Elements = A Friend of Focus

There’s a fine line between your site being too flashy or too boring. Many know that emboldened words do a better job of catching users’ attention, but you must do more. Video content attracts the human eye, but an excess amount is distracting and off-putting. 

Don’t utilize too much of a good thing. Put attractive components in areas of your website that deserve the most attention; customers will automatically be attracted to them. 

Guidelines are Everything

The right ratio of simple steps mixed with eye-catching visuals is hugely beneficial to a website. Users tend to react better when a site has a straight to the point method on how to get the best result from their product. 

Allowing the user to see what features are available will help create a more enjoyable experience on your page. 

Effective Writing

People don’t read websites, they skim. And most users’ eyes stray far, far away from large chunks of text. Because of this, you must consider what types of writing does best on what interface. Broken-up lines get comprehended at a higher level than long-winded paragraphs. Bigger text is always a plus. Easy-to-read fonts are a given. 

Language is also important. Depending on the tone of your site, adjust accordingly. Don’t use casual or frilly language if you’re running a professional site for your business. If you’re writing a blog post, there’s no need to be overly stuffy. It’s all about reading your demographic while catering to your message. 

Don’t Over-Fill

Blank space on a website is not always a bad thing, but many creators shy away from it because they think it makes their page look unfinished. It doesn’t. It makes the page look clean. 

An overstuffed page will overwhelm users and force them out faster than anything else. A clean, orderly page with plenty of area unfilled by text is pleasing to the eye. 

Test, Test, Test

Most people don’t test their website enough. It’s something that needs to be done constantly, and completed early. Let’s put it this way: Testing one customer is better than testing none. 

It’s an iterative process, which means that when you find a problem, you fix it, then test again. There’s always a possibility for something new to pop up. 

It’s impossible to test your site yourself. You need new eyes on it constantly, views from a different perspective. You’ve worked on it for too long, and are too deeply buried to see it from another point of view. Always get an outsider’s opinion. 

By following these guidelines, it’s easy and extremely possible to make a website that people will not only find useful and productive, but one they’ll enjoy visiting. In a world that’s becoming more and more tech-focused with each passing day, it’s imperative to get a leg up and keep pace with what’s constantly evolving in the digital sphere.