User or Web Designer-Friendly Websites?

So you are a hot-shot web designer, but how do you feel when you visit another's website? Is that a friendly website? Do you have difficulty finding your way through the maze of web pages? Do you feel like a helpless user stranded in the middle of nowhere? Wish you could somehow speed the display of information and be done with it?

The big question: Do visitors on your website feel the same things? Think about it...is your website what testifies as "user-friendly" or is it just something that appeals to you?

Most web designers harbor narcissist tendencies, falling prey to what fascinates them, and only them. Designs are highly creative, color-schemes are fantastic and everything is just great except it does not benefit the people for whom the website is created – the users.

What happens is this: you are lead by your preferences, creating designs that you like or feel suits your website. Also, because it's your website and you know just what's happening within it, you think it's easy for users too. Ask a friend, especially a non-tech friend to use your website, and you'll get the real picture!

Do keep in mind - your website is for web users. They are the ones who are going to spend the most time on your website. A website lacking retainable quality is headed for doom. To make your website user-friendly, here's what you must do:

• Structure your website. Make search engine crawlers are able to scan your website as easily as possible. The sooner they index your web pages, the better for your website to attract visitors.
• Make your website easily navigable. Help users find information as fast as they can. Quality content will help you retain them long enough for favorable actions.
• Make it interactive. Pages of information is boring, (unless it's an educational site). Give users some relief by including pictures or a video or audio message. Create a small Flash animation to convey an idea instead of writing a paragraph on it.
• Optimize images, audio/video files or Flash files. Make them load quickly. Nobody likes to wait too long for files to load.
• Use white space. Keep your website uncluttered, simple yet smart and attractive.
• Keep your background light so text shows clearly. Design your content using readable font, headings, bullet lists, etc.
• Stick to stereotypes (for the most part). For example: web users will be expecting bright colors for your graphic design website; give it to them. A business-like gray, white and black combination is less attractive and elicits weaker responses from users. Web users will also be expecting lots of pictures. Make sure you include the same.

DO NOT think your web users as fools! They may not be tech-savvy but they know what they want and will be expecting that from your website. Fulfilling their expectations will only benefit you. So make sure your web design gives its users what they desire. Great look, quality content, fast results = effective website.

 

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