User interface (UI) pertains to the points of interaction between humans and machines, and UI / user experience (UX) design is the field preoccupied with building interfaces for computerized devices or software so that they are as “user-friendly,” or simple and intuitive to interact with, as they can possibly be for human users. The design process for particular UI elements—like scroll bars, menu dropdowns, fonts, and colors—is crucial to website design. The interactivity and user-friendliness of your website is critical to your branding. Meticulously and thoughtfully designed UI can draw customers to your business, while poorly constructed UI can negatively affect customer perception and, ultimately, your bottom line.
Recent data on the related topics of UI and UX further acknowledge this. One study conducted by Forester even suggests that good UI can raise a website’s conversion by up to 200 percent, and better UX design can further improve conversions by 400 percent.
Regardless of your industry or company size, it’s worth it to invest in high-quality web design services like those of SearchWorks.PH to improve your business website’s UI / UX. Doing so will help you strengthen your online visibility, improve your company branding, and build better credibility among your customers. Below are some essential UI elements that every web designer should know about, plus the difference their design will make to your website.
Typography
The most foundational UI element for your website is its typography, or the variations it uses for lettering. When deciding on what kind of UI / UX you want to craft for your business customers, you must be able to choose the right typography with your web designer. The goal is to choose typography that best represents the brand and also allows for better readability. To make your business website more inclusive and accessible to customers of all ages and backgrounds, you should select typography that has general appeal and that can be read even by the most visually challenged.
When considering typography, think about the font choice, font size, font style (bold, italic, underline, etc.), font color, line length, and letter spacing for your web pages. Each element plays a key role in how your content is received. For example, a font like Impact, while professional, can appear too constricted and tight for some. This, in turn, may result in a negative perception for your brand if your business is meant to cater to a younger market.
Color Schemes
The second most important part of a website’s user interface is its use of color. The right colors can make your brand look appealing and true to its brand promise. Color can also be used to direct users to call-to-action buttons or any other area of your web page that you want to give attention to.
There are three types of UI design color schemes: monochromic (a single color in all its shades), analogous (two colors that are next to each other on the color wheel), and complementary (a combination of two colors opposite each other on the color wheel). There is no cut-and-dry color scheme for any industry, so your company should work with a competent web design agency to select color schemes that best represent your brand.
Navigation
You should also consider navigation as one of the most important parts of your UI design. Make sure that your website can be easily navigated around, with clear-cut tabs, pages, or sections on the homepage. The goal is to make it easy for the user to look through the website and not get lost. Not only does this improve brand credibility, but it also makes it easier for customers to find the right product or service and then take action.
Work with your web designer to build efficient and effective navigation features, including a search bar and appropriate buttons, fields, and menus. These will make a huge difference to your customers’ overall experience of your website.
Buttons and Tabs
More often than not, your customers will browse through your several pages on your business website—including your About Us page and your FAQs page—to inform their decisions about whether to buy your products or patronize your services. Good UI will help users move between these pages quite easily, and it will provide a clear way for them to interact with your product. For this, you’ll need well-designed buttons and tabs.
You may be able to take some liberties with your website’s typography and color schemes, but its buttons should not be overtly noticeable or garish. Their design should consider functionality more than aesthetics. All the same, you should also consider your company branding when choosing the size, color, and animation of your buttons with your designer. In addition, pay close attention to the granular details on each button and tab. Each one should properly reflect the action step you want the user to take by pressing them, such as “Buy Now” or “Schedule a Consultation.”
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t aspire to have the most visually stunning website, but a website that truly facilitates a seamless customer experience journey. If your customer thinks your website looks “cool,” but gets lost and doesn’t know how to contact you, then you and your web designer would have failed to achieve your goal. Your business may suffer as a result.
Knowing that your business website is usually the first point of contact between you and your potential customers, invest in a delivering a positive online experience. For web design services that will help you achieve crisp, functional, and enjoyable UI / UX for your customers, contact the web experts at SearchWorks now.
