In this fast-paced digital world, it just takes 0.05 seconds for one to make a verdict on the usability of a website.
A total of 3 reports published in behaviour & information technology journal that was backed by Google stress the underlying importance of how visual design & first impressions automates the user behavior when it comes to engagements with websites. The key is to find harmony when dealing with colors, fonts, structure, spacing, amount of texts & symmetries. Complex websites that are difficult to navigate overdrive the above-mentioned components.
Website experience should be all about a seamless correspondence between your brand & the target audience. You risk losing credibility if your website is out of date, not compatible with the latest devices or doesn’t match the services it promises to. More negative points if the web design is disorganized and fails to interact with the users.
Here are the 7 web mistakes that you need to avoid in 2019:
#1. Poor Text and font selection
Small fonts were the norm when standard websites didn’t have to worry about other devices in the market. Smartphones have gotten much better with varied screen sizes and those standard websites that have failed to comply with these new norms are taking the brunt of it.
Ideally, the font size should be 14 or above and has to be consistent throughout the webpage with the font colors. It’s always readability over style that should be prioritized. Stylish text and visual appeal colors won’t go far if it demands unnecessary attention from the visitors. Fonts such as Sans Serif, Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia should be an ideal choice for web designers because they are compatible across devices and are more reader-friendly.
#2. Slow Page Load Time
A page that doesn’t load in 2 seconds drops by 7% in conversion rates. Site speed is not just dictated by internet service providers, but equally by the design constituents of a website. Unoptimized images and irrelevant flash content are 2 of the major reasons why your website takes time to load. Bigger the file size, the slower the page gets. Consider image format and scale them down, once they get uploaded. Flash is a thing of the past. HTML5 gives you options to replace existing flash content. Other factors include not using the caching technique effectively and unclean codes.
Thanks to Google’s algorithm, now page loading speed determines whether your brand successfully crawls up the search engine or not.
#3. Not Mobile Friendly
Close to 50% of the search queries are generated from mobile usage. Single bad mobile experience and the brand loses its credibility in no time. Seamless user experience has to accompany speed and navigation. Businesses that haven’t adopted horizontal scrolling, zoom in-out options for mobile sites have been guilty of poor performance.
#4. Poor Use of Whitespace
Flashy visual design with too many elements distracts a visitor & is often overlooked in the development phase. Effective use of whitespace enhances the attention span of a visitor and makes them more responsive to a website. They are not just blank spaces that serve no purpose, instead, they bring life to a webpage. They demand simple designs that are undoubtedly more complex in the making.
Whether it’s macro or micro whitespace, a designer should carefully consider proportional factors for content, design style, target audience, and branding message to make effective use of whitespace.
#5. Too Many Ads
Overloaded pop-ups and ads have been detrimental to websites in the past and still are. They have done a good job at ruining user experience on smartphones which accounts for high internet usage. Ad Blocking plugins have come to the rescue for many. Emphasizing customer engagement & valuable content will help drive traffic rather than overdoing of ad which is the leading cause of high bounce rates. Ads work great on high traffic websites. If you are starting new, keep the ads reasonable and consider showing pop-ups, only when a visitor has spent a fair amount of time on your website.
#6. No Call to Action
What undermines the call to action is overselling, poor use of language and making it hard to find. Serving quality content goes hand in hand with CTA’s. Call to action will direct your visitors to the next step, which is conversion. Place them where the visitor has better chances to subscribe or make a purchase to your products, services or newsletters. They should be simple, clear and concise to what’s your potential customer is hoping to receive.
You must have come across call to actions such as:
- Add to basket
- Subscribe Now
- Sign Up Today, etc.
CTA should be simple yet effective and could be used multiple times.
#7. Not Relying On Analytics
More than 70% of small enterprises don’t know how to use analytics or never do coupled with poor digital campaigns. Procuring feedback has become vital, without which progress can’t be analyzed and success can’t be measured.
Google Analytics, a free tool will not only help you to obtain valuable information on user behaviors but will also help you track conversions too. It identifies key problem areas and gives insights on whether your website is effective or not.
Conclusion
There have been great many web designs and equally poor ones. In 2019, almost every internet user understands the fine details of good website experience.
Complex layout, pop up adverts, lack of navigation, poorly managed fonts & colors are discernible in seconds.
The user seeks websites that the services it promises to. Every other website doesn’t have to be superior in web design. Websites with high prototypicality ( category of design with respect to the services) and low visual complexity score better when it comes to user engagement.
Majority of upcoming business shy away from making a comprehensive budget and opt out of website design services. With so many options to build a website, its advisable to consult an experienced web design company that would help not only streamline one’s business operations but help rack up the search engine with various tools at their disposal.
About the Author!
Keval Padia is the founder & CEO of Nimblechapps, a progressive Mobile app and web development company. He loves to craft a mobile experience that automates business operations. The prospects of future mobile technology entice him to express his views on subjects that he is affiliated with.