Anyone who’s used the Internet has encountered at least one website that’s driven them almost mad with frustration. Completely illogical, with incorrectly categorized information, after a few minutes (which undoubtedly felt a lot longer) trying to accomplish whatever it is we’ve come to the site to do, we’ve clicked away. Now if that’s your website, then you’ve just lost a customer. So how do you ensure that visitors don’t become so frustrated that they go searching elsewhere for whatever it is they want?

When designing a website it’s imperative to consider how visitors will use it. They won’t want to be confused, and they won’t want to have to spend ages, which in Internet terms usually means more than a couple of minutes, having to look for specific information. While the layout and design may be completely logical to you, don’t assume that your customers will know every feature of your website as intimately as you do, because they won’t. When designing your website, if you want it to be an asset to your business, try to avoid the most common website design mistakes…

Difficult to Use

The Internet had led us all to expect everything immediately. That means that a visitor to your website will want to get whatever it is they want to get as quickly and easily as possible. Even if your site contains engaging articles offering information and advice, and a visitor has time to read one or two, make it simple for them to locate this content and read it (layout is important here and is covered below).
Make your website logical to use. If there’s a three stage process that a visitor has to complete in a certain order then make it easy for them to do so in that order. Don’t confuse them in any way. Not only does an illogically laid out site frustrate visitors, but it also gives the impression of un-professionalism which will send most customers running, especially if they are nervous about making transactions online. If you want visitors to buy goods from your site, you need to persuade them that doing so carries no risk. If a visitor has any doubts as to the professionalism of your site then they may decide not to complete a transaction and to look elsewhere for those goods.

Difficult to Find Anything

Some websites overwhelm visitors because they have so much information posted. If you have lots of information you need to make available to your customers, make sure that it is categorized correctly and in a logical manner, and that it is attractive to the eye and easily digestible. A general rule of thumb is one idea per page. Make sure that visitors to your site will be able to find what they’re looking for easily and conveniently. If your website contains pages and pages of information, you will have to organize it so that there’s no chance that you will, perhaps at some stage in the future, inadvertently bury something important, or that it will be too easily overlooked by customers.

Too “Busy”

Don’t use too many design elements; they will compete with one another for attention and your key message will be lost. People need to be led when it comes to digesting information. Guide them through what it is you want them to read and take in. For example, use your page heading to announce your key message and then working from left to right lead your customers through the pieces of information you want them to take in. The more important the message the closer to the heading it should be. Make sure it stands out from the less important information. Keep the colors and fonts (typefaces) to no more than two. Use good quality graphics to help get your message across.

Make sure that all information is clear to read. Don’t be tempted to use fancy design features to improve the appearance of your website, as these invariably have the opposite effect. For example, black type on a dark blue background will be too difficult for your visitors to read, as will very small type, and oddly placed graphics.

Inadequate Information

Although your website is meant to promote your business online, don’t omit any information that a customer may need in order to contact or find you in the real world, if necessary. Post full contact details, including a map and directions to your store or office, if applicable. And before going live online with your website, ask friends and family members to use it as though they were customers. They will be able to spot errors such as spelling mistakes and point out features that aren’t working as they should, such as links and any parts of the electronic shopping procedure.

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