Every business should be focused on the kind of customers they want to attract and how best they can meet the needs of these customers once they have a larger base. Most businesses thrive with the current development of technological ways to reach customers and drive sales through the development of websites that allow customers to purchase their products by ordering them online (otherwise known as E-commerce).
Having a website is just a small part of the work that needs to be done. Every business owner should also be concerned about the layout and design of their website – remember that a business should be focused on the clients. As a result, the following questions need to be answered:
- What kind of customers do we want to attract?
- Can all our customers navigate through our website?
Business websites should be centered on the users.
Contents
- 1 What is User-Centered Web Design?
- 2 10 Principles of User-Centered Web Design for Business Websites
- 2.1 1- Speak the Language of Your Customers (Users)
- 2.2 2- Consider the Target Population – Habits and Actions.
- 2.3 3- Be Consistent
- 2.4 4- Don't Make Users Apply Too Much Mental Effort
- 2.5 5- Make Sure to Provide Enough Feedback to Users
- 2.6 6- Make the Navigation Through Your Website Easy and Fast.
- 2.7 7- Allow the User to Be in Charge.
- 2.8 8- Provide Information but Be Clear and Concise
- 2.9 9- Make Sure to Reduce Slip-Ups
- 2.10 10- Your Website Should Have a Mobile Version
- 3 Business-Focused Design: The Key to a Successful User-Centered Web Experience
- 4 The Principles of User-Centered Design for E-Commerce Websites
- 5 How to Create a Customer-Centric Website: Focused Web Design Best Practices
- 6 Good Form Design Principles for an Improved User-Centered Experience
- 7 Navigation Design Principles to Enhance User-Centered Development
- 8 Conclusion
What is User-Centered Web Design?
A user-centered web design (UCD), although an independent approach to web designing, is a component of the User Experience (UX) design. In UCD, web designers do more than designing websites; they believe users would like and find it easy to navigate through; they design websites with the aid of the users themselves. They do this by considering the objectives of users as well as their feedback on certain products.
The big idea is to ultimately ease the access to products for users and reveal products that users view as valuable. Human beings are dynamic, and their tastes and preferences are subject to change; this is something that web designers also consider, which they use to make adjustments to the product to cater to any changes in their preferences. One advantage of fine-tuning a product is that users tend to use a product over a long period.
The ultimate goal of UCD is to prevent a situation where users decide to change their mannerisms and anticipations to accommodate a product. This way, the product becomes a constant in the user's life because of the unique experience they get from it.
The Importance of User-Centered Web Design to E-Commerce
Online shopping has made it a lot easier to make purchases anytime and anywhere. It was a pain having to wait in line when one physically visited a store to get the products they needed. Since UCD serves as the platform for communication between your website and customers, making little adjustments here and there could make a difference to your business and drive more sales for you.
When business websites can show their users that their products can help them achieve their goals, they will indeed see the value of those products. If your business website happens to do this better than all other competitive businesses, your advantage increases over your competition.
It is in the principles of User-Centered Web Design (UCD) that conversion rates are optimized.
10 Principles of User-Centered Web Design for Business Websites
In User-Centered Web Design, the design or development of websites is aimed toward ensuring that users can navigate through the website easily and make checkouts as they please without much trouble. There is no point in having good products when there is no easy access to the point of making a conversion, because more conversion rates are what every good business is looking forward to.
The following are the principles of User-Centered Web Design that are sure to increase conversion rates:
1- Speak the Language of Your Customers (Users)
There is no need to show off that you have a great deal of knowledge. The point of e-commerce is basically to serve as a guide – your website should only show the way – to learning what needs to be learned and making a purchase when they have finally come to a decision.
Your explanations and any comments you have about particular products should be compact and unambiguous. When you need to make a statement that only involves five words, don't go about making them seven. Get straight to the point.
Also, don't make use of terms that only people in your industry could understand or even terms that only intelligent people could understand. A good business would want customers from various groups – both those who are knowledgeable and those who aren't. Except your target is only people of intellectual caliber, it would be in your best interest to keep all dialogues less technical.
2- Consider the Target Population – Habits and Actions.
E-commerce employs the use of an interactive computer system. Users communicate with business websites before they can make a purchase. When doing a User-Centered Web Design, the website should be made to carry out certain tasks. Designers and developers alike should therefore consider the user population, age, background (environment), ethnic, political, and religious views, and the kind of physical tasks they engage in.
3- Be Consistent
Whether knowledgeable or not, your users would prefer to have a system that they could understand without much effort. The elements in the interface of each page on the website must therefore be consistent. If, for instance, a user clicks another page on your website and the interface looks different, they will feel like it was a different site rather than a different page. This could cause them to ultimately leave the site completely – when you do not maintain a consistent interface, you could leave the impression that you are confused or you are trying to confuse your users. Being consistent also builds trust between a business and its customers.
4- Don't Make Users Apply Too Much Mental Effort
.On average, a user would want to concentrate on whatever's in front of them at a certain point in time rather than focusing on every kind of interaction that the website puts together. When the interaction between a user and the website gets complicated, an average user will find it frustrating because it is a distraction from what they want to do. Nobody wants to have to do deep thinking just to provide certain information or answer any question.
When people use a website, they learn how it operates. Still, if the learning procedure requires too much time and effort, the users are bound to make mistakes, consequently affecting the business, especially those relying too much on the task outcome. Also, when tasks are frequent, users will have no business memorizing information entered into a previous part of the system when the system demands it again. The instructions that concern how the website should be used should be outlined plainly, and there should be a way to access them whenever they're needed.
Keep the following in mind:
- Don’t make users fill in the same data into separate forms
- Users should not have any trouble seeing or accessing instructions
- Where possible, make sure that some information has already been filled in.
You want your customers to see purchasing from your website as the easiest thing to do in the world.
5- Make Sure to Provide Enough Feedback to Users
They may not tell you, but every user would like some proof that lets them know that their actions on a website were executed successfully. There are a variety of ways in which this can be done. Some websites are designed in such a way that a concluded transaction is depicted with a change in appearance. If, for instance, the execution of an action takes time, it is necessary to let the users know that said execution is in progress using an indicator. Users do not need to know about the internal operations in the computer system.
Interaction should not be left only to the page where visitors are supposed to become conversions. It even helps if the different levels in the websites provide feedback to users, including a lower level. When an action has been successfully carried out, a confirmation can be sent to the user. Various websites show a button that has been pressed, which points out that the user already pressed the button. If the operation is going to take a long time, then it would be better to leave feedback for when the operation is completed.
Don’t leave your users guessing if their actions were successful. Did they supply their email? Let them know you received it by sending a confirmation message. Did they sign up for a newsletter? Show them that their actions were confirmed.
Your website needs to be one that your users have no trouble navigating through. When you make your website easy to navigate through, you let your users know that you are there to provide support when they need it. There are many ways to do this, such as assigning a separate title to each page on your website, assigning page numbers to each page, and having scrolling bars. Other helpful things include a history of pages that have been visited previously, an overview, a map for navigation.
Make sure the design of your website provides a straightforward route between the various windows that the user will be engaged in. The routes that your website provides must be suitable for each stage of the task the user wants to carry out.
Sometimes when navigating through websites, users end up at places they did not intend. Your website should cater to this by making available a means to exit that location whenever they want to, without the need to go through it.
Furthermore, your website should take only a few seconds to load in any browser. People seem to be very busy on the internet these days, and if your website is taking too much time to load, a visitor might get bored and leave the site. Making your website load fast does not only apply to your homepage; it applies to every other page as well as the images or filters on them. Slow loading of pages is one of the major causes of a reduction in the rate of conversion.
7- Allow the User to Be in Charge.
Believe it or not, before any user visits any website, they already have an idea of what they want or need, and they are only looking for a place they can get it. Users should be able to get what they want without much restraint. Of course, every system should have some kind of restraint in place, but developers ought to ensure that even with established restraints, users still have the freedom to get what they want to be done.
When the need arises, when a user has questions, the system should have an answer ready for that question. A live chat should also be made available on your website to allow the users to make contact when they want to.
8- Provide Information but Be Clear and Concise
Not all visitors to a business website already have enough information to go through before they purchase a product. Some require more information than others. However, this is not an excuse to overload your website with too much information regarding the products you offer for sale.
Remember that the idea behind User-Centered Web Design is to let the users take control and not force them to accept what you want. Rather than force them to read the information of a particular product, you can help them feel like they are in control by giving them an option to read the information. You can do this by providing a link to that page. Clicking the link would then be their decision to make.
9- Make Sure to Reduce Slip-Ups
The best way to reduce mistakes is by pointing the users in the right direction as quickly as possible. For instance, a page that requires the entry of data should have a system designed that points out where a correction needs to be made if the data is incorrect. The system should therefore point directly and precisely to the problem – avoid ambiguous language.
Some common areas where problems arise are when users provide either too little or too many numbers when asked to enter their phone numbers or zip codes when they fail to select the method of shipment they prefer, etc. When correcting this, make sure to use language that is gentle and shows respect.
10- Your Website Should Have a Mobile Version
You should have a mobile version of your website so that users and visitors can access your site even with their mobile phones. Statistics have shown that there are more mobile visitors on the internet than those who use desktops, which means that close to or over 70 percent of people who shop online do that on their mobile phones, which allows them some flexibility.
If you want to boost your e-commerce for your business, make sure you have a web design for desktops, mobile phones, and tablets.
Business-Focused Design: The Key to a Successful User-Centered Web Experience
A well-designed business website isn't just about looking good—it’s about driving real, measurable results. Your website is often the first interaction potential customers have with your brand. To make a lasting impression, you need more than just attractive visuals. A business-focused design aligns your website with your goals, creating an experience that’s user-friendly and results-driven. At GO-Globe, we understand the importance of merging business strategy with design principles to create websites that not only captivate but also convert.
The Concept of Business-Focused Design
When we talk about business-focused design, we refer to a strategy that’s aligned with your company’s goals. This design approach takes into account the core needs of the business and creates an environment where users can engage with the brand while helping the business meet its objectives—whether it’s increasing sales, generating leads, or providing valuable information.
A user-centered approach in web design focuses on meeting user expectations. Every element of the website, from the layout to the navigation, should be designed with the user's needs and preferences in mind. A user-centered design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about functionality and ease of use that ultimately benefit your business.
At GO-Globe, we prioritize this holistic approach by blending user-centered design principles with business goals, ensuring that the final design meets both user expectations and business requirements.
Why Business-Focused Design Matters
A business-focused design is vital for success in today’s digital landscape. Websites that fail to consider user needs often experience high bounce rates and low conversion rates. These issues arise when the site is difficult to navigate, content isn’t engaging, or the user journey isn’t clear.
By focusing on both business needs and user satisfaction, you ensure your website drives results. A well-structured, user-centered web design creates a smooth path for visitors to navigate, ultimately leading them to take actions that benefit your business—whether that's signing up for a newsletter, purchasing a product, or contacting your sales team.
Key Elements of Business-Focused Web Design
1. Clear Business Objectives: Before diving into design, it’s crucial to define what you want your website to achieve. A business-focused design requires clear, measurable goals. Do you want to increase conversions? Build brand awareness? Or provide a platform for customer service? Once you define these objectives, they’ll inform the layout, design, and functionality of the site.
2. Intuitive User Journey: A user-centered design puts the visitor’s experience first. Think of it as a map—users should know exactly where they are at all times and what actions they need to take next. The simpler and more intuitive this journey, the better the experience for the user and the more likely they are to complete a desired action.
3. Accessibility and Mobile Optimization: In today’s digital world, accessibility is crucial. A website needs to be accessible across various devices and be easily navigable for users with different needs. A business-focused design takes mobile optimization seriously, ensuring that all elements of the website function smoothly on any device.
4. Clear Calls to Action (CTAs): Your website's primary goal is to encourage users to take action, whether it's signing up, purchasing, or inquiring about services. User-centered design principles ensure your CTAs are strategically placed and designed to stand out, guiding visitors toward the actions that align with your business goals.
The Principles of User-Centered Design for E-Commerce Websites
Good Form Design Principles for an Improved User-Centered Experience
When it comes to web design, forms are often the unsung heroes. They might seem simple, but they play a pivotal role in how users interact with your website. Whether it's for signing up, making a purchase, or contacting support, forms are integral to the user experience. But a poorly designed form can easily frustrate users and lead to abandoned tasks. The goal is to design forms that not only look good but also function smoothly, keeping the user at the center of the experience.
At GO-Globe, we understand that good form design principles are essential for creating user-centered design that resonates with visitors. In this section, we'll break down how to apply these principles to ensure your forms deliver a positive user experience and align with user-centered principles.
Keep It Simple and Clear
Simplicity is key when designing forms. Too many fields can overwhelm users, leading to confusion and even abandonment. When creating forms for your website, focus on asking only for the information you truly need. User-focused web development emphasizes reducing cognitive load, allowing users to fill out forms with minimal effort.
For example, a long checkout form can drive customers away. Instead, break it down into smaller, more digestible steps, and be sure each field is clearly labeled. Avoid using jargon or ambiguous terms that might confuse users. The goal is clarity—every user should know exactly what information they need to provide.
One of the most crucial good form design principles is organizing your form fields logically. Group related fields together, such as personal details or payment information. This helps users navigate your form with ease and ensures they don’t miss any required fields.
To improve the user-centered experience, you can use user-oriented design techniques, such as providing hints or examples next to complex fields like phone numbers or credit card details. If you can, offer auto-fill options or pre-select common choices. These small details not only save users time but also make your forms more intuitive.
Provide Real-Time Validation
Nobody likes being told they’ve made a mistake after submitting a form. To prevent frustration, it’s a good idea to include real-time validation. As users fill out fields, immediately indicate if they’ve entered information incorrectly, such as a wrong email format or missing required fields. This makes the experience smoother and increases the likelihood of completion.
Incorporating this functionality aligns with user-focused web development, where the goal is to guide users through the form without confusion. The elements of user experience come into play here—your form should not only work but also feel natural to use.
Be Transparent About Expectations
A well-designed form doesn’t just look good; it also communicates clearly with users. Let them know what will happen once they submit the form. If it’s a sign-up form, tell users whether they’ll receive an email confirmation, or if it’s a purchase form, make sure they know when the payment will be processed. This helps users feel confident that they understand the next steps and the overall process.
A user-centered approach to design ensures that every part of your form is transparent and guides users through the experience with ease.
Optimize for Mobile
With an increasing number of users browsing the web on their mobile devices, mobile optimization is non-negotiable. Ensure that your forms are responsive, meaning they adapt to various screen sizes. Make buttons large enough to tap, and ensure text is legible without the need to zoom. Poorly designed forms on mobile can frustrate users and negatively impact your business.
Mobile optimization is key for user-centered design as it ensures that users can easily interact with your website, no matter what device they’re using. Whether they’re shopping, registering, or contacting you, forms must be just as functional and accessible on mobile as they are on desktop.
Navigating a website should be intuitive. If users struggle to find what they need, they're likely to leave and never return. Navigation design is critical to the user experience, and its role in user-centered web development agency cannot be overstated. This section will explore key navigation design principles to help you create a site that’s both user-friendly and aligned with your business goals.
At GO-Globe, we prioritize user-centered product design, ensuring that every element of a website's navigation is designed with the user in mind. By following user-oriented design principles, businesses can enhance the usability of their websites and drive better results.
Simplify the Menu Structure
The first principle of effective navigation is simplicity. Keep the menu structure clear and concise. Too many choices can overwhelm users and lead to confusion. A clean, well-organized navigation menu ensures users can find what they’re looking for with ease.
A user-centered approach to designing your menu involves understanding the most important tasks or pages for your visitors. Place those options front and center, and reduce the number of clicks needed to reach important content. As users interact with your site, they should feel confident they can navigate to any section quickly and efficiently.
Use Descriptive Labels
Another principle that can significantly improve navigation is using descriptive, easy-to-understand labels. Avoid vague terms like “Services” or “Products.” Instead, use labels that clearly communicate what users can expect to find under each menu item. For example, “Web Design Services” is much clearer than just “Services.”
This approach ties directly into user-focused web development. By making navigation labels as clear and direct as possible, users won’t waste time trying to figure out what each category means. The clearer you are, the more likely users are to stay engaged and take the next steps.
Maintain Consistency Across the Site
Consistency is key to a smooth user-centered experience. Your navigation should remain consistent across all pages of your site. Whether it’s the position of the menu, the design of buttons, or the use of icons, users should know exactly where to look for the main navigation options, regardless of what page they’re on.
Consistency ensures that visitors can move seamlessly from one part of your site to another without confusion. It also ties into web development principles that emphasize continuity and familiarity, which ultimately make for a better user experience.
Optimize for Search
Sometimes, a user’s goal is simply to find something quickly. Adding a search bar to your website is an easy way to help users locate content without navigating through multiple pages. A search feature is especially valuable for larger websites with lots of content.
By including a search option in the navigation, you’re applying user-oriented design by offering a tool that allows users to find exactly what they’re looking for without frustration. It’s a feature that can significantly improve usability, especially for websites with a broad range of products or services.
As mobile traffic continues to rise, ensuring your navigation is optimized for smaller screens is more important than ever. A mobile-friendly menu is a must, and it should adapt to various devices, whether that means using a hamburger menu or a drop-down layout. Make sure that it’s easy to tap the menu options on smaller screens, without having to zoom or scroll excessively.
This principle ties back to user-centered product design, as mobile optimization ensures your website’s navigation is just as effective on phones and tablets as it is on desktops. By considering mobile users in your design, you provide an excellent user experience across all devices.
Conclusion
User-Centered Web Design is a component of UX design that carries the users in mind during the whole design process. It is aimed at providing the best form of user experience possible to visitors and/or users. In UCD, simplicity should be the main focus of the design. You want your users to be able to perform tasks with ease and navigate through the website without much effort.
It will also be in your best interest to keep the mental effort required to complete tasks to the barest minimum. A lot of people will visit your website, so it should appeal to both the learned and the unlearned alike.
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