We live in a world where, like in or not, technology is an aspect of virtually every aspect of our lives. From finding directions to learning more about the things that we want to know, and from locating the products and services we need to finding businesses that offer those products and services, we rely on technology for so many things. There’s pretty much nothing you can’t find on the internet, and for business owners, that means that if you want to connect with today’s technologically-driven society, having a website isn’t an option; it’s an absolute must.
But just having a website isn’t enough. If business owners want to achieve the success that they desire and deserve, they need to have a well-designed site, which is why UX is an integral part of effective web development and web design in Manchester. What is UX and why is it so important? If you’re a business owner, read on to learn more about this fundamental piece of website development and why it’s so crucial for your success.
What is UX?
“UX” is a marketing term that stands for “user experience”. In regard to web design, it refers to how visitors to interact with a product or service. To illustrate, when you turn a door knob to enter a room, you interact with all aspects of that knob; the colour, the material it’s made of, and it’s overall physical appearance, and those elements may have an impact on how you feel about your interaction with that door knob.
In the world of website design, UX refers to everything that impacts a site visitor’s interaction with the digital products and services that a business offers. When consumers interact with a product or service, they typically assess their experienced on some key criteria. Examples of these criteria include:
Function. Who does the product or service work? What does it do?
Usability. Is the product or service easy to use? Does it do what I need it to do and meet my needs?
Value. What type of value does the product or service provide?
Overall impression. Is using the product or service enjoyable? How does it benefit me?
Why UX is A Crucial Part of Effective Website Design
So, if you’re a business owner, you’re probably wondering why user experience is such a vital part of your company’s website design. Let’s take a look at how UX impacts your business and why it has a direct impact on your overall success.
Reduces bounce rate
Bounce rate is a measurement that calculates the number of visitors to your site who visit a single page and then leave versus those who stick around and visit several pages. Bounce rate has a huge impact on your success, as the longer a visitor remains on your site, the more likely it is that they will make a purchase. UX design helps to reduce bounce rate because the easier your site is to use, the more appealing and informational it is, and the faster visitors can find the products and services they’re looking for, the more likely it is that they will stick around and browse for a while – and then eventually make a purchase.
Improves responsiveness of your site
Whether sitting at their desk or while scrolling through a phone or tablet while kicking back on the couch, users expect that they’ll be able to easily view and use every site they visit, no matter what device they’re visiting the site on. If your site doesn’t automatically adjust to fit the screen and they aren’t able to easily navigate it on the screen they’re visiting it on, it’s going to leave a bad taste in their mouth. UX design ensures your site is responsive across all devices, thereby ensuring user satisfaction.
Increases conversion rate
Conversion rate refers to the percentage of visitors to your site that complete a specific goal that you desire. Whether that goal is about completing a form, providing an email address, or making a purchase, when site visitors complete a particular goal, they’re converting from visitors into customers. Effective UX significantly increases the chances that a visitor will turn into a customer.
Conclusion
In today’s technologically-driven, highly competitive market, designing a website around user experience is an absolute must. With effective UX design, you’ll see a vast improvement in the overall success of your business. Today, user experience is far more than just thinking about the screen size UX requires dedicated web designers and developers to ensure the website can cater to all types of users and funnel them through the entire online customer journey.
