Millions depend on the Internet through day-to-day operations, so you’ll understand how important web design and site usability is. The popularity and ease of Internet-based-living is undeniably here to stay and if you haven’t recognized that yet, it’s time to face the facts. If you rely on the Internet for your growing your business, it’s vital you are up to speed with your online competition. The more efficiently that you use the existing technology, and the stronger your website is, the more accomplishments you will see. Businesses that master these realms acquire a huge lead over their competitors.
Consider this:
If you’ve ever landed on a website and either don’t comprehend what they’re offering, or can’t seem to navigate the pages, it’s highly likely you move on to another site or try another web page. More likely than not, this is a result of the website not having a solid User Interface Design. This cuts to the idea that the customer is always correct and makes sure that that statement is reflected in all the specifics to your site.
When all’s said and done, if you’re a business that depends on website traffic for leads, you need to make sure that you’re User Interface Design well thought out. A lot of businesses do not understand how important a user interface really is and we’re here to make sure that you do. To start the process, make sure that you understand what User Interface Design really is.
What is User Interface Design?
User Interface (UI) Design is the connection between users and your website. It comprises the basic design elements that need to exist in order for someone to navigate your website and make informed choices. It is the ever-evolving association between a person and the system that they are using. This encompasses the way that your website interacts with visitors, the overall design/layout and how information is presented to the user. UI brings together concepts from interaction design, visual design, and information architecture.
There are many ways to look at user interface, but the fundamentals always include the communication from a product to the user and vice versa.
User Interface Design is all about user manipulation, site structure and communication. This is one of the main reasons it’s so vital that you pay close attention to it. UI is the basic foundation of how your site is built out and functions when visited by your audience. Problems may follow if a UI design does not go efficiently.
Common elements pertaining to UI Design include the navigational components, informational components, input controls and containers. Details are very important. Breadcrumbs, buttons, icons, toggles, tags, lists all play a large part. It’s the way that you design your website from the back-end so that your audience can have a pleasing and seamless front-end user experience navigating your site.
Why is UI Design of Utmost Importance?
User Interface Design is one of the vital reasons your website will start to see an inflow in traffic. It lures people in and keeps them on the site. It’s what makes people endorse you and become devoted customers. Regardless of what somebody may say, it should not be overlooked.
How big of an impact even the smallest adjustments in UI Design can have is often what takes people by surprise. For example, did you know that the shape of a button image could determine whether or not someone knows how to complete a task? People have certain predispositions based on visual details that play into how they interact with a site and designers need to take these into consideration. Design speaks to people and should always be taken seriously if you want to be effective online.
In addition to basic design changes like shapes of buttons and color arrangements, odds are people won’t stay on your site if it’s difficult or confusing to interact with.
When users visit your site, their experience should be one of your top goals. When people have a good experience, conversion rates are higher and tend to tell more people about it. Ultimately, this means more chances to boost your sales and increased opportunities to grow your customer base. When visitors have a negative experience on your website, chances of your product or company being rejected rises exponentially. This is particularly true if you rely on Internet marketing to get in touch with most of your target audience.
Simply put, User Interface Design is important because without it, you would most likely need to resort to cold calls and flyers. People make snap decisions and when they visit your website, they would rather spend 20 seconds opening a new site than meddling around on a problematic one. If your customers finds your site too complex, confusing or difficult to navigate, an otherwise phenomenal product or service can easily bomb.
People want to be able to comprehend things easily, which is why most physical products can be figured out without digging through a large manuals. Making your site’s User Interface Design comprehensible without a manual is the difference between complete success and a potentially disheartening letdown.
Basically put, User Interface Design is imperative because it can mean the difference between a make or break situation with your audience. It produces fewer problems, increases user involvement, perfects functionality and generates a strong link between your customers and your business site.
Principles of User Interface Design
We now know that User Interface Design is important to your website, but how do we ensure we optimize our site? In general, it’s great to have a professional by your side. They bring a design team for examination and can demonstrate what you are doing right and what you’re wrong. However, there are a few basics that should never be disregarded.
Simple Navigation Menus
We can’t stress enough the navigation menu. Don’t make things unbearable to navigate to. Every part of your landing page should be clearly labeled on the navigation menu and positioned strategically for your users. Do not change things up and make your menu hard to locate. It will only push people away.
Simple vs. Fancy Design
While fancy layouts and multiple interface patterns may be enticing, it can actually makes it more problematic for users. When you stick to simple design your target audience can see what products or services you offer more clearly and without confusion. When you have complicated designs, it may look great, but it’s likely to muddy your underlying purpose. Sticking to ease of use is a great way to increase your User Interface Design.
Usability Testing
Usability testing is a process that involves watching a group of users interacting with your website or application in order to see what is working and what is not working. Implementing this process will allow you to make small tweaks that often go unnoticed in having any impact at all. This process made one business understand the shape of their clickable buttons made a difference or not when a user clicked on it.
Be Steady
Across your site, verify that you are utilizing common elements. This will allow people to recognize patterns and learn how your website works quicker than random elements. Consistent patterns, languages and functionality will help you more than you can imagine.
Effective Communication
When something goes right, or off the rails, the user should be able to tell. Verify that your site creates defaults and communicates effectively with your target audience. You can incorporate default choices, pre-filled forms and more. Think of what you would want if you visited your site and proceed from there. Furthermore, make sure that things are worded clearly and in a way that everyone can comprehend. In other words, keep it short and sweet and stick to your point.
Don’t Ignore Typography, It’s Important
Just as the typography on your site is vital to your branding, it also affects usability. It requires more attention than we used to think and can illicit specific responses from people. Make sure that your designers do research, test out various typographies and optimize everything for convenience. It’s sure to make a big difference at the end of the day.
In Summary
When looking at the big picture, it is easy to appreciate why User Interface Design is so important. It’s the reason a company either see success or disappointment. It is the way that your website speaks to your target audience and the way that your audience comes to understand your business. It is the one characteristic of your functionality that you should never hold back on on. If you’re just starting out or thinking your website could use an enhancement in User Interface Design, reach out to us for assistance.
