A website’s usability and utility, more than its visual design, establishes its success—or failure. The best website designers lean toward a more user-centric design, knowing full well that it is ultimately the end user who decides everything and clicks the mouse. If you are constructing your website or if you are employing a provider, follow these principles for an effective, user-friendly design.

1. Avoid making users think a lot – Intuitive navigation is the Key.

Users do not have the luxury of time to go through every detail of your site. Thus, your web pages should be self-explanatory and obvious. The design should be intuitive, showing the viewers how your system works or how to get from point A to point B in a naturally simple fashion. In other words, create a design that lessens or eliminates question marks in the mind of your audience.

2. Do not waste your users’ patience – it’s never further then a click away.

The fewer actions needed for people to use your site or try out its services or tools, the more likely he will stay on your site to avail of what you are offering. People are usually turned off by filling endless web forms or going through several screenings before they can use your product or service.

3.  Focus your users’ attention – be bold!

By using eye-catching images, creative animation, lines, and bold headers, you can hit two birds with one stone: one, it attract the viewers to check out your pages; and two, it directs them to more subtle links and information in your website.

4.  Expose your site’s navigation features and functions prominently.

Some critics point out many modern website designs that involve visually appealing large menu buttons, easy 1-2-3-done steps, vivid colors, etc. as cheesy. However, due to their simplicity and user-friendly way, these elements are proven to be extremely effective in leading your viewers around your site. Ease of use is a primary element of successful user interface design.

5. Adjust your writing style.

In any form of mass media, content is king. However, in a website setting, you need to adjust your writing style to fit your users’ needs, preferences, and browsing habits. The key here is go straight to the point.

·         Avoid long text blocks or keywords that are bold or italicized.

·         Do not exaggerate promotional language.

·         Get rid of cute, colorful, or marketing-induced names. For example, it is better and more direct to use “sign up” than “explore our wonderful services now” if you want your viewers to sign up for a service.

·         Use a text layout that is scannable. This means, categorize the content; use headers, multiple headings, and bullets; break huge text blocks; and take advantage of visual elements.

·         Avoid technical terms that are unfamiliar to your viewers. Use objective, simple, and plain words.

6. Remember the KISS principle.

KISS means “keep it short and simple.” Strive for simplicity instead of complexity. Do away with distracting images, keep menu buttons visible, use easy-to-understand icons, and make your web pages print-ready.

7. Use white space effectively – Don’t mistake your WebPage for MTV ;-).

White space is blank space and, therefore, should be avoided, right? Wrong! Blank spaces actually lessen the cognitive load of a viewer, meaning, they make viewers think less. They help the user divide a complex page into manageable sections with easily digestible information. Furthermore, they isolate the information from the rest of the page.  

8. Communicate with “visible language.”

Interact with the user using what they see on screen. To do that, you need to:

·         maintain a consistent and clear conceptual structure.

·         economically use web page space. Simplicity, clarity, distinctiveness, and emphasis of what you are trying to portray should always be considered.

·         match your website presentation to the cognitive capabilities of your user.

9. Do not underestimate conventional or standard designs.

Far from being boring, proven traditional website layouts and designs are very effective. That is because users are more familiar with conventional designs than innovative but unfamiliar ones.

10. Test the site.

By testing your site, you get to acquire important, objective data about its usability. Ask for your users’ feedback; you may be convinced that you have an effective site, but your users may think otherwise.