User Friendly Web Design

Companies that are developing or already have an online presence often find that the internet provides an efficient way to cut costs while offering convenience to their customers. But often overlooked in the zeal to have a great website is the end user experience. To be successful on the internet companies must focus on making the customer happy by providing a truly user friendly website.

A recent study was compiled by Vividence* based on a number of reliable sources. The study revealed several issues often confronted by website users that manage to frustrate and drive away potential customers and clients. Here are a few examples:

• Pop-up surveys that appear without selection at inopportune moments.




• Slick images, animations and movies that load slowly, cause computers to crash and deliver little useful information.




• Home pages cluttered with too much information.




• Flashy features that look good but only work for those with high-speed connections.




• Registration forms that request unnecessary personal information.

Because the web allows for a quick switch to competitor websites, it’s important to weigh the risks and the benefits of using features and applications that may put a road block in the way for some users.

Putting the customer first by making a “user-centered” website can go far in impressing potential customers and leading clients to your lead generation form or into your office.

Here are some basic, very simple ways to meet this goal.

First, reduce clutter. Most home pages try to impart too much information thus inundating and overwhelming the user. If the user cannot figure out what specific value proposition or benefits the site has to offer, they will quickly leave and go on to the next website.

Provide an easily traceable path through the website. This can be done by highlighting the location and subdirectories in the path to the user’s current location. For example: Home > Services> Printing. Cross categorizing information also gives a great advantage as the website visitor will be able to find relevant information in several ways instead of drilling down through a specific path.

Another suggestion is to provide buttons. The Vividence study found that users expect to find buttons that will facilitate tasks on the websites more so than an actual link within the text. Novice web users in particular are more prone to use a button over a text link which was found to be confusing.

When a site is new, newly updated or will undoubtedly attract web novices it is helpful to provide brief instructions on the home page on how best to find information on the website including a search feature. The search feature should be tested to assure relevant results from the standpoint of the end user.

One way to find out how your website is performing in the eyes of your customers is to ask. By using a simple, permission launched survey to find out how the site is being used, if the information is found, and provide feedback in the form of comments that can assist in developing the website to serve the customer.

As with any business, listening to the customer is key to developing a website that works for you and for your customer.

________

*2002 Vividence Corporation, Dr. Bonny Brown & Dr. Anthony Bastardi

----------------------

This article written by Teajai Kimsey, Interenet Marketing Strategist, Ideas That Work
It may be reproduced and reprinted provided the author's information including web link is kept intact.