Managing the user experience on websites can be a complex undertaking. There are many factors that go into designing and curating user experience and most of these are under the control of the website designer. A skilled design team is able to identify the elements of user experience most relevant to any given website and then deploy tried and true strategies to maximize the potential of each of those elements.
Form, Function, Feel
Broadly speaking, there are three primary factors that contribute to user experience. These are:
- Appearance – How does the website look? Does it utilize best website design practices to draw the eye? Are key features easy to spot? Is information organized in a logical hierarchy?
- Qualitative feel – Does the website provide joy of use? Is it a seamless experience that flows from one stage to the next? Is the site intuitive? Are there emotive qualities conducive to brand identification?
- Functionality – Are the features functional? Is the website easy to use? Do the functional elements of a site fit together and enhance one another?
Impact On SEO
Though user experience is certainly the primary dimension of interaction between a brand’s website and a potential customer, a solid user experience also appeals to search engines like Google, which prefer to offer search results that their users will value. The easier your site is to navigate and interact with, the more Google will favor your site in its rankings. A good user experience also tends to lead to longer time on site and higher engagement, which are small Google ranking factors as well. Engagement brings a user back to a site as a repeat customer; however, that first impression has to be positive.
Responsive Websites
Razorfrog’s responsive WordPress sites provide a positive user experience by making sure that no matter what device a user is visiting your site on, the website will always appear and function according to that device’s features. For example, if a user were to visit your website on their mobile device instead of a laptop, your website will adapt to the size and optimal function of a mobile-sized view, but the overall branding and feel of your site will remain. There is no need for a user to zoom in, squint to read small text, or be unsure of how to navigate the site.
Get the Assistance You Need
Razorfrog’s website builder team has worked with many professionals and small businesses operating in the San Francisco Bay Area. We understand what characterizes the user experience of small business websites and we can help make your users’ experience a positive one!
