Every website needs to be a user-friendly website. Remember, it’s the visitors to your website that matter. Without them, your website will have no reason for existing. So, here are some tips to help.
Focus on Navigation
Navigation is the key to a usable website. If people are going to be able to use your website effectively, they’re going to have to be able to see where they need to click. So, start by having a banner across the top of the page that splits the options available on the website into relevant sections.
You should also have a good site map situated at the bottom of the page so that people can browse in more detail. This way, people will know exactly what your website has to offer and you should be able to make sure that people keep on coming back for more. If they find it hard to use, they’ll probably head elsewhere
Use a Search Option
The ability to search is going to be something that a lot of people expect when they arrive on your website. The search option gives them a quick way to find exactly what it is they’re looking for. Not everyone will be patient enough to wade through endless pages until they get to what they’re looking for.
It’s simple and easy to add a search function to your website too, so you have no excuse not to do it. It’s a simple design technique, and even the most amateur designer will be able to do it no time. It doesn’t require an overhaul of your system or website to have it installed. And it will improve the usability of the website no end.
Make Sure It Has an About Page and a Contact Page
Of course, every website is different. Therefore, every website has differing priorities when it comes to what should be included on the website. But there are a few pages that, if you ask me, every good website needs if it wants to function well. These two pages are an About page and a Contact page.
People who land on your website for the first time will probably want a quick and easy way of finding out who you are and what you are offering to them. This is what an about page allows them to do. And if you have a phone number, email address and location address, this needs to be on your contact page.
Use a Responsive Design
Pretty much everybody browses the internet on their smartphone or tablet at least some of the time. These are the methods that people use when they’re away from their desktop computers. If they want to browse your website while they’re on the bus or walking through the park, they should be able to.
But they’ll only be able to if your website is designed in a responsive way. This means the website changes depending on the method browsing. So, it’ll be as easy for users to browse on their smartphones as it is on their desktop Mac. This is vital if you want to reach the widest number of people possible.
If you put all of these essential tips into action, your website will be more usable in no time at all.