Websites are created for users. They are the ones that must be impressed. Otherwise, no amount of investment or time can make a website successful.
In fact, users have some specific reasons not to like a website. They may not always be able to communicate them with the website owner, but they can be very particular about these things.
What are they, and how can you correct them?
Here’s an article that explains 9 common things users want to change about your website. Read this until the end and implement the recommendations with the help of a professional in web design in Geelong.
Let’s dive in!
Contents
1. Mobile Responsiveness
Mobile devices dominate web traffic today, making mobile responsiveness a non-negotiable for websites. Users want a seamless experience whether they’re on a desktop, smartphone, or tablet. So, if your website isn’t optimised for mobile, you risk alienating a significant portion of your audience.
Here’s what you can do.
- Utilise responsive web design techniques to adapt your site’s layout to various screen sizes and devices.
- Test your website on different mobile devices using tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to identify and resolve mobile compatibility issues.
2. Page Loading Speed
Speed is one of the riskiest aspects of websites. Users can easily get frustrated when websites take too long to load, leaving the site right way. This increases bounce rates and decreases user satisfaction. So, this must be immediately fixed if your website has this problem.
Here’s how it’s done:
- Optimise images and other media files to reduce their size while maintaining quality.
- Employ browser caching and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to distribute content more efficiently.
- Minimise HTTP requests by combining CSS and JavaScript files and reducing unnecessary elements on your web pages.
3. Clear and Concise Content
Once a user enters your site, the first thing they search for is the content they expect. It might be a label, a specific keyword, a product, or a service. Not finding these at the right time and right place can be frustrating for the user.
So, fix it as soon as possible.
- Edit your content for clarity, eliminating unnecessary jargon and complex language.
- Use headings, subheadings, and points to break up long blocks of text.
- Regularly update and maintain your content to keep it relevant and accurate.
4. Easy Search Functionality
Having a functional search bar is equally important as an organised navigational menu. Users often come to your website with specific queries, and a robust search feature can help them find what they need quickly.
If this is problematic on your website, it can seriously affect your user engagement. So, follow this:
- Improve your search bar with auto-suggestions and typo-tolerance to help users find information quickly.
- Enable an advanced search feature that allows users to filter results by date, category, or other relevant parameters.
5. Minimal Pop-ups and Intrusive Ads
Check any website with too many pop-ups and intrusive ads, and you will immediately leave the site. One, because they can make navigation difficult, and two, they constantly interrupt user engagement with the content. This leads to higher bounce rates.
Avoid this by following these:
- Use pop-ups sparingly and ensure they are easy to dismiss.
- Opt for unobtrusive ad placements, such as in-content ads or sidebars, rather than full-screen pop-ups.
6. Contact Information
If users like your site and content, the immediate thing they will do is try to reach out to you. But if your website has no or outdated contact information, you will miss out on a potential customer.
So, follow this:
- Place your contact information prominently in the header or footer of your website.
- Provide multiple means of contact, including a phone number, email address, and a contact form.
- Use a chatbot or live chat feature to offer real-time assistance.
7. Accessible Design
Every user matters, including those with disabilities. People with various conditions visit your site, and if it’s not convenient for them, you will lose a valuable customer. So, do not make the mistake of leaving your site with an inaccessible design.
Make modifications as your designer suggests.
- Add alt text to all images and provide meaningful descriptions.
- Ensure keyboard navigation works seamlessly, and all interactive elements are accessible via the keyboard.
- Use semantic HTML and follow WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to make your site more accessible to users with disabilities.
8. Consistent Branding
Your website’s design and branding should be consistent across all pages. Users associate a certain look and feel with your brand, and inconsistency can be jarring. So, here are some pointers to correct branding mistakes on your website:
- Develop a style guide that defines your brand’s fonts, colours, and imagery. Ensure all pages adhere to these guidelines.
- Regularly review your website to ensure consistency and correct any discrepancies.
9. Regular Updates
An outdated website can give the impression of a neglected or abandoned business. Users want to see that your site is current and that the information they find is reliable. To ensure this, you need to follow these:
- Create a content calendar to schedule regular updates and revisions of your content.
- Set up alerts or monitoring tools to detect broken links, outdated content, and other issues.
- Regularly perform website backups and updates to ensure it remains secure and functional.
Seek Professional Help:
We have many website builders and readymade templates available today, but a professional can bring much more to your project. In short, they strategise, execute, modify, and improve effectively.
If you are on the fence and need some help, connect with Make My Website. Their expertise is excellent in Australia. They designed various websites, from e-commerce to NDIS web design. So, reach out to them freely and discuss what’s on your mind.
Good luck!
