1. Understand the User’s Research Journey & Query Intent
Simply put, query intent refers to the understanding of what problem the user is seeking to solve. And in turn, great UX and optimization should be able to offer solutions that meet that intent. While customers will frequently search for a ‘PDF editor’, this term means different things to different users. Some users are only focused on converting images to PDFs while others are more interested in electronic signature solutions. To help match query intent, I created a series of mini-products focused on specific needs (e.g. ‘convert PNG to PDF’ or ‘sign a PDF’). Beyond designing the product around these specific workflows, I also published ‘how-to’ content helping even the most novice users navigate the service and find what they needed, when they needed it.2. Provide Clear Instructions & Feedback
It’s no secret that humans seek affirmation and direction. People are more likely to experience a boost in confidence when they have clear directions and guidance on what they’re “supposed” to do. Feeling like you have a guide when you’ve moved to a new city is always comforting; the same goes for the virtual user experience. Clear instructions can offer this level of confidence to users (and help them avoid situations where they feel incompetent). Provide users with clear instructions and how-to’s through the use of copy, micro-copy, and illustrations. Inversely, there’s nothing worse than taking an action and the action results in…crickets. Never leave your user wondering what went wrong or what to do next. Be sure to include clear feedback when a user “takes a wrong turn” or enters an invalid information.3. Respect the User’s Time
Few things are as relatable (or more annoying) than waiting for the spinning “rainbow wheel of death” to leave your Macbook’s screen. Or, obsessively refreshing your browser when a page is slow to load. How long do you give your technology to load before you give up hope and jump ship? 2 seconds? 3 seconds? Site speed matters. In fact, it matters so much that if a website takes longer than three seconds to load, nearly half of all visitors leave. Remedy high bounce rates and low conversions by respecting your user’s time; make sure your site’s images and CSS are properly optimized and keep your scripts below the fold. As great developers and designers know, the importance of UX and functionality eclipse marketing. Yes, great marketing attracts users but if they can’t figure out how to use your software quickly and easily, they will give up and move on to one of your competitors. So, before you jump feet first into your marketing campaign, take a long, hard look at your user experience and how it satisfies the customers’ needs or helps them achieve their goals. Remember, it’s not about you, it’s about them. Featured image via UnsplashRead Next
3 Essential Design Trends, May 2024
Integrated navigation elements, interactive typography, and digital overprints are three website design trends making…
How to Write World-Beating Web Content
Writing for the web is different from all other formats. We typically do not read to any real depth on the web; we…
By Louise North
20 Best New Websites, April 2024
Welcome to our sites of the month for April. With some websites, the details make all the difference, while in others,…
Exciting New Tools for Designers, April 2024
Welcome to our April tools collection. There are no practical jokes here, just practical gadgets, services, and apps to…
How Web Designers Can Stay Relevant in the Age of AI
The digital landscape is evolving rapidly. With the advent of AI, every sector is witnessing a revolution, including…
By Louise North
14 Top UX Tools for Designers in 2024
User Experience (UX) is one of the most important fields of design, so it should come as no surprise that there are a…
By Simon Sterne
What Negative Effects Does a Bad Website Design Have On My Business?
Consumer expectations for a responsive, immersive, and visually appealing website experience have never been higher. In…
10+ Best Resources & Tools for Web Designers (2024 update)
Is searching for the best web design tools to suit your needs akin to having a recurring bad dream? Does each…
By WDD Staff
3 Essential Design Trends, April 2024
Ready to jump into some amazing new design ideas for Spring? Our roundup has everything from UX to color trends…
How to Plan Your First Successful Website
Planning a new website can be exciting and — if you’re anything like me — a little daunting. Whether you’re an…
By Simon Sterne
15 Best New Fonts, March 2024
Welcome to March’s edition of our roundup of the best new fonts for designers. This month’s compilation includes…
By Ben Moss
LimeWire Developer APIs Herald a New Era of AI Integration
Generative AI is a fascinating technology. Far from the design killer some people feared, it is an empowering and…
By WDD Staff