Launching a website only to realize that it provides a subpar user experience (UX) is a common nightmare for many teams. To avoid reworking your design from scratch, it is essential to adopt tried-and-true web design best practices from the beginning.
This guide outlines 13 web design tips to enhance UX, minimize bounce rates, and increase your brand’s credibility, all while creating a seamless user journey.
1. Prioritize User-Centric Design
“Good web design starts with a strong focus on the user, not the designer,” says UX expert Chris Martinez.
When you create a user-centric site, everything from navigation to content layout is crafted with the user’s needs in mind.
To design a customer-friendly site, ask yourself:
- What problem are my users trying to solve?
- What’s their knowledge level about the product or service I offer?
- How can I make it easier for them to navigate and interact with my site?
For instance, Dropbox excels with its minimalistic, straightforward design that simplifies file storage and sharing for users, providing them with a clear, efficient path to their goals.
2. Stick to Design Conventions
There’s a reason why certain web design elements remain constant—they work. Straying too far from established conventions can confuse your users and increase your bounce rate.
Follow these common design rules:
- Position the logo at the top left, and make it clickable to return to the homepage.
- Keep navigation menus at the top or left side for easy access.
- Use intuitive icons, like a magnifying glass for search and a cart for e-commerce, so users know what actions to take.
Sticking to these conventions helps users feel comfortable on your site and improves their overall experience.
A prime example is Amazon, which maintains a consistent layout for product searches and navigation. Users can easily access their desired categories, resulting in a frictionless experience.
3. Optimize Navigability
Navigation is crucial—if users can’t find what they need within seconds, they’re likely to leave. Streamlined navigation keeps users engaged and helps them find relevant information quickly.
Best practices for better navigation:
- Use simple, clear labels for menu items (e.g., “About,” “Products,” “Contact”).
- Include a search bar on every page to enable quick access to specific content.
- Add breadcrumb trails to help users easily navigate back to previous pages.
If you run a service-based site, such as a marketing agency, ensure your contact information and services are prominently displayed so potential clients can find them without a hassle.
A great example of this is Airbnb, where users can effortlessly search for accommodations and experiences thanks to its clear, organized layout. Intuitive navigation ensures users find what they need quickly.
4. Information Hierarchy Matters
The layout of your web pages should naturally guide users’ attention to the most critical information first. Arrange elements in a way that draws users’ eyes to headlines, calls-to-action (CTAs), and key visuals.
For instance, Spotify’s homepage showcases a bold headline about its premium plan, with a prominent CTA to subscribe. This structure makes it easy for users to understand the value being offered and take action.
5. Ensure Readability
If your content is hard to read, users won’t stick around for long. Clear and concise text combined with a clean layout makes your website easy to digest.
To enhance readability:
- Choose legible fonts (like Arial or Roboto) with at least a 12-point size.
- Break large blocks of text into smaller paragraphs.
- Use bullet points and headings to make content easy to scan.
Medium, a content-focused platform, showcases optimal readability by utilizing clear fonts, well-organized text blocks, and a clean design. This allows readers to focus on content without distraction, making it a go-to for written content consumption.
6. Maintain Consistent Branding
Consistency in branding builds trust. From color schemes to fonts, your website should reflect your brand’s identity across every page.
For example, if your company has a professional tone (like a financial consultancy), stick to neutral colors and formal fonts. On the other hand, if you’re running a lifestyle blog, feel free to experiment with playful colors and typography.
A brand like Coca-Cola achieves this by maintaining its iconic color palette, fonts, and design style, creating a sense of reliability and familiarity across all its digital channels.
7. Use High-Quality Visuals
Images, graphics, and videos can grab attention and provide a break from the text. However, poor-quality visuals or overly large files can slow your site down and frustrate users.
Best practices include:
- Use high-resolution, relevant images that align with your brand.
- Ensure images are optimized for quick loading times.
- Include alt text to improve accessibility and SEO.
Take IKEA, for example. Their site is filled with beautiful, real-life product images that help customers imagine their purchases in their own spaces, enriching the overall experience.
8. Strong CTAs
Your CTA (Call-to-Action) buttons are vital to conversions. Whether you want users to sign up for a newsletter or make a purchase, your CTAs must be prominent and persuasive.
Best practices for CTAs:
- Use contrasting colors to make CTAs stand out.
- Ensure there’s ample white space around the CTA for emphasis.
- Keep the message clear and action-oriented (e.g., “Buy Now” or “Subscribe Today”).
For example, Slack uses bold, distinct CTAs like “Get Started” that encourage users to engage with the platform, keeping them moving seamlessly through the user journey.
9. Ensure Mobile Responsiveness
With over half of all web traffic coming from mobile devices, a mobile-friendly website is non-negotiable. If your site doesn’t adapt to different screen sizes, users will bounce quickly.
Key mobile optimization tips:
- Use a responsive design framework that adjusts to any screen size.
- Optimize images for mobile to reduce load times.
- Ensure text is large enough to be read on small screens without zooming.
Spotify does a fantastic job with this, ensuring its music platform provides a smooth experience across various devices. The interface adjusts seamlessly for optimal viewing, no matter how users access the site.
10. Accessibility for All Users
Designing a website that’s accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is not only ethical but also improves your reach.
Make sure your site meets accessibility standards by:
- Using sufficient contrast between text and background colors.
- Adding alt text for images.
- Ensuring your site can be navigated using a keyboard.
The BBC website leads the way in accessibility, providing easily customizable text sizes, captions, and inclusive navigation options, ensuring all users can access and enjoy their content.
11. SEO-Friendly Design
Great UX goes hand-in-hand with SEO. A well-optimized site will rank better on search engines and attract more users.
Here’s how to make your design SEO-friendly: Web design
- Use appropriate header tags (H1, H2, etc.) for a logical content structure.
- Include alt text for all images.
- Optimize meta descriptions and page titles for targeted keywords.
12. Regular Testing & Updates
Launching your website is just the beginning. Continuous testing ensures that your site evolves with user behavior and new technology.
Regular A/B testing of different design elements (such as CTAs or layout changes) can reveal what works best for conversions. Always be ready to tweak your design based on user feedback and analytics data.
Netflix is constantly tweaking its user interface, conducting A/B tests to optimize navigation and content discovery, ensuring users get the best experience possible.
13. Optimize for Page Speed
Page speed directly affects user experience. Websites that load faster keep users engaged and reduce bounce rates. To enhance page load time, compress images, use caching, and minimize code.
For example, Walmart saw a significant increase in conversions after improving their site speed. The faster the site, the more satisfied users were, and the longer they stayed.
The Bottom Line
The goal of great web design is simple—create an enjoyable experience that helps users achieve their goals easily. By implementing these 12 best practices, you can elevate your website’s UX, improve engagement, and increase conversions. Keep testing, updating, and refining your site to stay ahead of the game in 2024 and beyond.
Start implementing these best practices today and watch your engagement soar! Need expert help? Contact us to design a user-friendly website that your visitors will love.