So here you are with your newly designed beautiful website. It utilizes cutting edge imagery and truly innovative code techniques. With crisp modern features, validated and compliant code, expert load times as well as integrated search engine optimization, this site will soon be bringing you “the big bucks” you have been working so hard for. Or will it?!?

Stand before the almighty user!

There are many ways to lay out a website, however the goal is to present the user portals where your products or important content are always easily accessible to the user. You must create an environment that is both an informative and rewarding experience for the user bundled up into an easy to navigate package. The combination of function and design focused for a specific purpose can guide the user to their intended destination will ease and seamless progression.

Design & Layout:

The layout and design of a website are very important to the process of creating a positive user experience. In many cases the layout can be overlooked in the attempt at creating a lucid theme. Sometimes designers get carried away with intricate styles or flashy features overlooking the most important details of the project.

Keep in mind the goal is to introduce the user to the product or information. A good design will accomplish this as well as enforce the trust the user is seeking. Characteristics like the textures and colors can really enhance a design if they are applied tastefully. This also applies to font and image selection.

Make sure that key areas reach out to the user. Utilize contrast between titles, labels, form items, and content areas. List ordering techniques help a great deal in creating special menus and navigation items. Keep content organized and in east to find locations. Make logical decisions on placement of content and interactive button.

Function:

The function is very important to a good user experience. Broken links, missing images, JavaScript errors; these are things that can prevent the user from grasping a positive outlook on the experience. Not only does it suggest lack of maintenance, it also sends a message to the user that the content and the users experience are not important to the host. This could greatly diminish any online following.

Distractions:

Too many ads, high contrasting content sections, busy calls to action, as well as out dated styles and graphics can leave a sour taste in the user’s mouth. You must try to stay away from crowding content throughout the site. Many people seem to overlook the importance of quality images in their website. This includes photographs, graphics, and icons. Users who frequent the web are constantly exposed to overused stock images and recycled design concepts.

There are certainly some items that you may want to recycle for the simple fact that it better communicates with the user based on familiarity. For example a site search is something you may not want to re-invent the wheel too much with when designing. This feature can be overlooked very easily if too much customization has left it camouflaged from the average user.

Too many “moving objects” on the home page is something I see all of the time. This is an option that is applied without taste or purpose constantly. Welcome to the “Vegas Strip”, good luck finding what you are looking for! No one likes commercials or interruptions and this applies to browsing websites as well.

All is not lost!

Unleashed Technologies is a company that understands and utilizes great user experience throughout the entire production process. We are ever evolving our process to refine our methods and options for our clients. If you have a website in need of an overhaul, we might be the perfect fit! Give our team a call today, and see if Unleashed Technologies can better your website’s user experience. 1-(410)-864-8980.