User research has been conducted and analyzed, user goals and tasks have been defined and user-centric wireframes have been designed. There should be no reason for a website to be a failure. Unless visual design does not support usability but rather impedes on the user’s web experience.
Here are five critical tips to ensure visual designs enable web usability with examples of problematic websites.
- Clear Navigation
The site structure may have been successful organized and well thought out prior to design but effective visual cues are critical to show the users where they currently are in the website and where they can go next so they can reach their goal on the website.View an example and read more:
- Create Visual Contrast
Wireframes are a great guide for mapping and laying out web pages. However, the visual graphics must display hierarchy to guide the users eyes around the page. If the layout is cluttered and the users do not see what they came to the website for, they will leave.View an example and read more:
- Be Simple and Get Right to the Point
Excessive and overdone design makes websites look busy even if the content is simple. Designers should never add graphic elements for decoration. There should always be a purpose and a logical reason for graphics.View an example and read more:
- Maintain Consistency in Visual Elements
Websites must be a consistent system from each page to the next using similar styles, same graphics, layout, grid etc. Otherwise, when elements move around or alter in style, users become confused on whether they have left the website. Also, when users explore the website, they realize that specific graphics means certain actions. If the graphics and the corresponding action changes sporadically, users will not know what to expect next and easily become frustrated.View an example and read more:
- Be Legible
This is simple and important point that users must be able to read your website with ease. To enhance legibility, use easy to read fonts, proper sizes and strong contrast from the background.View an example and read more:
Of course, there are additional concepts to great visual design that elevate web usability. But with these 5 fundamental ideas, a successful website can be achieved. Therefore, visual design is a critical component that must assist usability. Otherwise, the website can still be failure leaving users confused, frustrated and having a poor web experience.
Karen Ha