Today, everyone appreciates beauty, simplicity and order in what they see. When people are on a website, they’re able to rate it as good or bad based on how it makes them feel.
In recent years, there have been advances to offer a website’s users better web usability (the comfort and usability of a website), with the aim of turning them into loyal customers. So, in 2020, you need to be aware that the first impression your future customers form of your business comes through your website (if you have one).
That’s why, in this article, we’ll present the 4 elements that affect your website’s usability.
1- Speed
In the digital world, speed is always synonymous with success. Most sites have a reasonable level of speed. Your site must also be fast, because people no longer want to waste a lot of time. The human attention span has become a bit shorter over the past decade, especially with younger generations. The industry standard is 3 seconds; longer than that and you risk losing about half of your visitors. With limited seconds to engage, every millisecond counts when it comes to loading speed, taking action and following links.
2- Navigation
Next, navigation is the second most important element. Can people find what they need, and how do they get there quickly and intuitively? Can you find what you’re looking for in fewer than 4 clicks?
For this, call-to-action buttons must be placed in the best spots, menus must be simple and effective, and all your navigation options must be designed around how visitors use and interact with your site. Far too many people build navigation based on what a few individuals think is most logical, rather than analyzing customers’ actual behavior and adapting to it for a better experience for them.
3- Adaptability (responsive web)
This element is crucial because of the amount of web browsing done on mobile devices. According to the latest Desktop vs Mobile statistics, 52% of all web traffic comes from mobile devices while 45.3% comes from a desktop computer. These statistics are more significant in Africa (59.8% Mobile and 37.7% Desktop) and even more so in the case of Cameroon (62% Mobile and 36.5% Desktop).
This means that if your website isn’t responsive, it simply won’t be as effective at attracting and converting mobile visitors, who are the most numerous. You must provide equal value across all platforms, which is extremely difficult without a responsive website.
4- Design (visual aspect)
After all the elements mentioned, the best is saved for last: design. The website must display instantly with something unique and striking. The site must perform its functions perfectly and provide features and value. Think about the quality of Facebook’s site in terms of style, branding and functionality. They’ve been a leader in the social media sector for over a decade. Facebook tries new things, uses white space to make elements stand out, and has a fantastic structure.
In conclusion, your conversion rate (your website’s impact) is directly tied to your website’s usability, which is also a factor in steady revenue. It’s not only about generating traffic to the site, it’s also about engaging, converting and retaining these potential customers. A wonderful experience is paramount, which is why every business must focus on these 4 elements in order to improve their website’s usability.
Do you want to create a website that has good usability and focuses on these 4 points? Don’t hesitate to contact us!