Having a website to stand out from the internet is sometimes complicated. Effective UX design is no longer just a luxury but a fundamental requirement for any online platform seeking to engage and retain users.
This article is about UX design tips that you can use to make your website compete with other websites regarding user experience.
What is UX Design?
UX design, or user experience design, is a way of crafting a digital product that offers a good user experience. It is the art of making complex systems feel simple and approachable, allowing enhanced overall user experience.
It encompasses the entire product integration process, including branding, design, usability, and functionality.
Importance of Having an Effective UX Design
Your website is like a welcoming storefront. Its windows – your homepage, product pages, and contact forms. Just like in a brick-and-mortar store, you want your visitors to stroll around, feel at ease, and find what they need without pulling out their hair.
That’s where top-notch UX design comes into play. It’s not just about looking good, it’s about creating a flawless, enjoyable experience that keeps users returning for more.
Let’s take a look at the 12 best UX design tips.
1. Linear Gradient to Show Contrast
Linear gradients are a tool for creating depth and dimension in your designs. By skillfully blending colors, you can guide the user’s eye to key areas of your page.
This technique is especially useful in backgrounds or for highlighting specific elements. The subtle transition from one color to another adds a touch of sophistication and can make your design stand out.
This is an example of a linear gradient background. Most of the time, websites only use plain backgrounds, especially highly authoritative websites (.org, .edu, .org), but trying out linear gradients can also help increase the metrics of your website.
2. Keep It Simple
A simple, clean design is usually more effective than a cluttered one. It’s about stripping away the unnecessary, focusing on what’s important, and making sure every element serves a purpose.
Simplicity leads to designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also easy to use and understand. Remember, the goal is to make life easier for your users, not to overwhelm them with complexity.
Here’s an example from LeftLane Media. When you browse through their website, if you point your cursor on their “Services” tab, all of their services will be displayed. There are no other effects or lengthy explanations. This will allow the user to see all of their services right away.
3. User Research
Understanding your users is also part of a great UX design. Conducting interviews, building user profiles, and crafting stories can provide invaluable insights into your users’ needs, behaviors, and motivations.
This research forms the foundation upon which you can build a design that truly resonates with your audience. It’s about stepping into their shoes and seeing the world from their perspective.
4. Avoid Pure Black Backgrounds
A common misconception in design is that pure black backgrounds are sleek and professional. However, they can be harsh on the eyes and make your design feel flat.
Opt for pure white, dark shades, or deep blues to add depth to your design. You can also search for some good color combinations online for softer alternatives that are easier on the eyes and can give your design a more refined look. You can also use an image or a video on your website’s background, but be careful because it may lower your page speed.
5. Understand Your Audience
Every good design begins with an understanding of its audience. Who are you designing for? What are their needs, preferences, and challenges?
By tailoring your design to meet these specific requirements, you create a more meaningful and effective user experience. Instead of just making something look good, you should make it work well for all the people who will use it.
6. Optical vs Measured Alignment
There’s more to alignment than just following grids and measurements. Optical alignment is about how elements are perceived visually, not just how they line up according to numbers.
It’s an art form in itself, ensuring that elements look balanced and harmonious to the eye, even if they’re not perfectly aligned by the ruler.
Here’s an example of how optical alignment works. LeftLane Media used 1 line for their services (no additional words, sentences, or phrases), and the pictures are all the same when it comes to sizes.
On the other hand, seeing a website with a lot of unbalanced structure may affect the time you spend on the website.
7. Mobile-First Approach
With more users accessing the internet via mobile devices than ever before, a mobile-first approach is essential. Designing for smaller screens first helps you focus on the core features and content, ensuring a seamless experience on mobile devices.
Then, as you scale up for larger screens, you can add more features and content without compromising the user experience.
Let’s take a look at how LeftLane Media designed their website for mobile use. The first picture above is taken from a screenshot using a mobile device.
The second picture is a screenshot taken from a desktop. They designed their website to look smaller when using mobile devices which allows the user to see the important points and content of the website.
8. Visual Hierarchy
An effective visual hierarchy directs the user’s attention to the most important elements first. By playing with size, color, contrast, and placement, you can guide users through your content in a way that feels natural and effortless.
The key is to make it easy for users to find what they’re looking for without feeling lost or overwhelmed.
When using visual hierarchy, choosing the right palette can help.
9. Incorporate Effective Call-to-Actions (CTAs)
Call-to-Actions are the signposts of your digital product, guiding users toward the actions you want them to take. Whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or downloading an app, your CTAs should be clear, concise, and compelling.
A well-designed CTA can be the difference between a user taking action or leaving your site.
Here’s an example of a form submission CTA from LeftLane Media. It may look simple, but as you notice, they placed the following important details they need:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Phone
- Message Box
10. User Feedback
Never underestimate the power of user feedback. It’s a direct line to your audience’s thoughts and feelings about your product.
Regularly collecting and acting on user feedback shows that you value their input and are committed to improving their experience. This ongoing dialogue can lead to significant improvements in your UX design.
11. Pay Attention to Loading Times
The speed of your site or app is a critical component of UX. People tend to look for answers or queries on the internet, so they expect quick loading times when visiting their target websites. Optimizing your design for speed can significantly improve user satisfaction and engagement.
12. User-Friendly Navigation
Navigation is the roadmap of your site or app. It should be intuitive and straightforward, allowing users to find what they need without frustration. A well-thought-out navigation structure contributes to a positive user experience, encouraging users to explore your site further.
The header of LeftLane Media’s website displays all the necessary content of a website header. (Company name, a logo, search feature, and navigation links). The second screenshot is where you can find the main content area. They placed all their services and a short explanation of why they are important. CTAs on each service are also placed to save you more time.
Let LeftLane Media Handle UX Design for your Website
If you don’t have the time to test these tips on your own website, LeftLane Media offers full web design services including UX design for websites.
Click here and fill out their quote form today. You can also dial 714-676-9253 if you have any questions or visit them at 3040 Saturn St, #205, Brea, CA 92821.
FAQs Regarding UX Design Tips
How does UX design improve user interface and usability on mobile apps?
UX design is all about crafting a user interface that’s not only good-looking but super user-friendly, too. Think about how a UX designer juggles different elements like typography, color schemes, and icons to make everything from your navigation bar to that tiny search field feel intuitive on mobile devices.
Why is consistency important in UX design across different digital products?
Consistency helps users seamlessly hop from one section to another without getting lost. When designers maintain consistency in layout, font size, and color schemes across different styles of pages – whether it’s a blog post or a main page – it creates a familiar pattern that’s easy to follow.
What role does feedback play in the UX design process of a website?
It helps UX designers understand what works and what doesn’t from the user’s perspective. By gathering feedback, designers can tweak elements like the line height in body text, the placement of a hamburger menu, or the color of background elements.