UX Design Rules to Live By

We’ve all been there. You land on a webpage, thinking your questions will be answered; your problems solved… and then, you realize you have no idea where to go. The layout is sloppy, the design makes no logical sense, and you’re back to square one.

The best way to avoid this when structuring your own website is to remind yourself that the user is priority number one. Sleek design is important, but not when it doesn’t work to make your user’s experience a more seamless one. Snappy copy is great, but not when it doesn’t lead your audience to a convincing call to action.

So, where do you start? Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

1. Don’t re-invent the wheel. 

Users shouldn’t feel like they need a treasure map to navigate your site. One of my least favorite things is when I can’t locate basic elements of a webpage. If your search bar is anywhere other than the upper righthand corner, I’m almost automatically confused. Innovative design is great, but sometimes it’s best to stick to basics.

2. Keep them wanting more. 

Your homepage is basically your company’s first impression in the minds of your users. They want to know what you offer, and why you’re better than the competition. If you offer all that information at first glance, they have no reason to scroll, click and engage more with your site.

3. Be logical. 

If you’re running an e-commerce site, think about how you like to shop. If someone is shopping for fashion items, pictures are probably going provide the biggest draw for you. You don’t want to read about a shirt, you want to see it on a model and picture it on yourself.

Of course, this isn’t all there is to UX, but it is a great starting point for advertising looking to creating a website that serves both their client and the potential customer they’re looking to target.