Now more than ever, people are browsing, shopping, learning, and working online, jumping from website to website at lightning-fast speeds. Whether you’re a digital marketer, business owner, or an online shopper, you already have a good idea of what websites appeal to you and which ones you’d rather pass up. We all do.
Maybe your pet peeve is a chaotic color scheme, lack of filtering options, or a hard-to-use navigation bar; there is so much insight you can leverage just by browsing the web on your own. But how do you take action to avoid or improve on these bad examples of web design?
In this post, we’re sharing 5 web design tips you can use to keep your users engaged and enthralled with your website. From simplifying your navbar to honing your brand image, there are plenty of easy steps you can use to take your website to the next level.
1. Make your navigation easy to navigate
When an existing or potential customer, hiring prospect, or possible partner jumps onto your website, they should be able to find exactly what they’re looking for with minimal effort. Whether it’s an “About Us” story, store hours, or FAQs that fits their intent, you ultimately want to answer their query or convert as soon as possible.
One of the most impactful things you can do to improve the user experience (UX) on your website is to restructure and optimize your site navigation. Here are some easy action items you can implement to get started:
- Keep your navigation bar consistent throughout your website. This will make it easier for users to jump around and get back to where they started if they need to.
- Title categories and pages clearly. Users should know what they’ll see when they click on a new category. An “about us” page, for example, should take them to relevant details about the company as a whole, not a page filled with your shop inventory.
- Forge connections throughout by including internal links. This will make it easier for your customers to get the information they need, and it will keep them on your site for longer.
As shown by Undergrads Moving, their top navigation bar is easy to read and easily allows users to get where they need to go quickly. In addition to converting, the goal of your website should be to retain users. You want them to gain as much information as possible from your website, so make it easy for your users to do that! By increasing site traffic and time spent on your site, you may even see a boost in your search engine rankings.
2. Inspire action with CTA’s
As we mentioned, one of your primary goals as a business owner, designer, or marketer, is to get customers to convert. Whether you want to earn donations, sell your products, or generate inquiries, among the most effective tools to leverage are calls-to-action (CTA’s). A call-to-action on a website is typically a clickable button or section of a copy that encourages the website user to take the next step in your funnel.
If you’re running a bed and breakfast, for example, a good CTA for your site might be “Book a Room” or “View Availability.” These action words bring website users one step closer to closing the deal.
When it comes to creating stellar CTA’s, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Make buttons clear and legible
- Use action verbs
- Don’t go overboard on text
- Make sure your landing page is strong, too
Let’s take a look at an example. In the image above, ShareAble for Hires, an employee background check service, demonstrates how a CTA should really stand out. As you can see, the CTA “Start Screening Now” is prominently displayed in the header image. It’s clear, it makes sense, and it fits into the brand image. When you click on the button, it takes you to a landing page with steps to create your account. This way, visitors who already know what they’re looking for can get started without wasting any time!
3. Use chatbots to improve customer service
While chatbots may have been an annoying feature in the past, technology has drastically improved over the years to become more helpful, more personal, and more efficient. Leveraging chatbots is a great way to engage with your customers and get them the help or answers that they’re looking for. Rather than having them search your site high and low for product information or a customer service hotline, you can anticipate their needs and offer support. Of course, you’ll still want to give your customers alternative ways to engage; email support, a phone number, and social media links are all good options for users to turn to if they’re not interested in chatting with a customer support robot.
Some of the best-rated chatbots of 2020 include:
4. Get creative with functionality
Web design continues to evolve every day. From chatbots to interactive maps and forums, there are so many elements you can test out to make your website more exciting and inviting. Take Crazy Egg for example. Their homepage wastes no time in getting browsers to experience their service.
The moment you land, you can enter your URL and use their product. As you design or work to improve your website, consider how you can implement new elements to feature your products or services in a unique way.
5. Craft compelling copy
Every great brand has a powerful and unique message behind it. Through imagery and compelling copy, you can share your brand message with the world in a way that not only differentiates your organization but also resonates with your audience. Cards Against Humanity, an adult card game, demonstrates their one-of-a-kind brand voice on their FAQ page:
Not only does their copy suit their image, but it’s also entertaining yet informative. Reflect on your own image as you craft copy for your website to find a tone that fits in with your audience and informs.
Final notes
Building a website that works for your business comes down to your resources, goals, and your target audience. By focusing on these five tips and following the latest trends in the web design world, you’ll be able to create a site that represents your brand and boosts your bottom line.