10 Tips for Creating a User-Friendly Website for Your Small Business
Did you know that every $1 invested in user experience (UX) results in a return of $100?
Revamping your website's design to be more appealing to users might seem like a big job. But when done right, the benefits will certainly be worth the effort and investment.
Customers decide within seconds how they feel about your website, and its user-friendliness has a major part to play.
As the old saying goes, 'you never get a second chance to make a first impression,' and that couldn't be truer in the online world.
But if all of this seems a little overwhelming, keep in mind that one-third of small businesses don't even have a website. You've already taken a big first step by taking your business online.
The next course of action is to make your site more user-friendly so you can turn site visitors into paying customers.
In this guide, we'll explore 10 invaluable tips to make your company's website more user-friendly so that every click is another step closer to success.
Ready to get started? Let's go!
1. USE CLEAR AND CONCISE NAVIGATION
A navigation menu is a set of links or buttons that help users move around a website.
These menus are usually at the top or side of a webpage and usually appear as lists of links, icons, or drop-down menus.
Their purpose? To boost website usability by making it easy for users to find what they need.
If your navigation menu is too complicated, users will likely click out of your website and check out a competitor's site instead.
For easy navigation, we recommend organizing your menu items in a neat list and labeling them clearly for everyone to understand.
2. Choose An Attractive Web Design
Making a fantastic first impression begins with a web design that's not just attractive, but also user-friendly.
It's all about making sure your website looks great, works smoothly, and reflects your brand's unique style and identity.
Think of user-friendly web design as that initial spark that can transform a curious visitor into an excited and engaged customer.
3. Make It Work On Mobile
Many people use their phones to browse websites. In fact, more than half of people seeking a local business prefer to do so on a mobile device.
If your website doesn't work well on mobile devices like smartphones or tablets, potential customers may get frustrated and look elsewhere for the products and services they need.
But how exactly do you make your website more mobile-friendly?
- Responsive design: Use a web design that automatically adjusts to different screen sizes so your site looks good on everything from big computer screens to pocket-sized smartphone screens.
- Smaller images: Compress your images to load faster on mobile devices.
- Easy-to-read text: Use clear fonts and make sure your text is large enough to be easy to read on mobile screens.
- Fewer pop-ups: Avoid using too many pop-up windows, which can interrupt mobile browsing and be difficult to dismiss.
4. Improve Loading Speed
Your website's loading speed is simply the time it takes for a web page to appear. Waiting for a slow-loading web page to appear is like waiting outside for someone to open up shop and let you in. Trust us, website visitors don't like waiting around for pages to load, and the longer it takes, the more likely they’ll be to give up and take their business elsewhere.
You can boost your website speed by making images smaller, using a fast hosting service, and allowing browser caching.
5. Integrate Social Media
Adding social media sharing buttons to your web pages allows users to effortlessly share your content with friends and followers on their social platforms.
This not only extends your website's reach but also turns your target audience into brand advocates, promoting your business on their social media.
6. Provide Clear Contact Information
Don't make your website visitors hunt for your contact details!
Make sure they can quickly find the information they need by placing your contact details somewhere they're easy to spot, like the header or footer of your website.
It's also a good idea to offer various contact options so users can get in touch with you in the way that suits them best.
7. Create Engaging Content
Creating engaging content is another killer strategy to make your website more user-friendly.
It's all about offering content that goes beyond promoting your business – it should provide valuable information and resources to your readers.
You grab their attention and establish trust by delivering real value to your audience. Think of your content as a helping hand, providing answers, insights, and solutions.
Remember, the average internet user skims through content, so make sure the layout of your content makes it easy for readers to digest.
8. Include A Call-To-Action (CTA)
CTAs guide your website visitors on the path to your desired action. Whether it's encouraging them to sign up for your newsletter, request a quote, or make a purchase, good CTAs provide clear and specific directions to users about the next step they should take.
9. Use Legible Text
If you want your site visitors to stick around, it's crucial that the text on your website isn't challenging to read.
Opt for fonts that are clear and easy on the eyes. Keep the text size just right – not too small and not too big.
And most importantly, make sure there's a noticeable contrast between the color of the text and the background color.
10. Carry Out Regular Website Maintenance
Last but not least, don't forget the importance of regular website check-ups.
Testing for things like broken links, pages that take their sweet time to load, or content that's seen better days is crucial.
And when you find these little hiccups, be quick to mend them. This way, your website stays fresh and friendly.
All in all, your website's user-friendliness is the bridge between curious visitors and satisfied customers.
In a digital world where first impressions matter more than ever, the 10 essential tips shared in this guide will help transform your website into a welcoming, valuable, and successful platform.
Make your website more user-friendly with 406 Marketing
At 406 Marketing, we aim to make life easier for small business owners by creating user-friendly websites.
We take care of everything, from building a website that's easy for customers to find and navigate to making sure your site always runs smoothly. We even manage Google ads to boost your online presence.
Schedule a call with us today, and let's make your website a user-friendly haven where your visitors feel right at home. Your business will thank you for it!