There's a reason why Google remains the most popular search engine decades after its launch. The UX of Google is ridiculously simple and clutter-free that no one has invented something better. Several Google products have failed, which shows that even a giant will fail if the UX is lacking. So what exactly is UX?
UX or User Experience is the overall experience with a company's products, brand, or service. The website design is a crucial part of UX but not the only one. Studies have shown that improving the UX can increase the conversion rates of a business by 400%. Conversely, a poor UX will result in the customer immediately switching to the competitor in a matter of seconds. Those first few seconds are therefore crucial, and your website should be able to grab and hold the customer's attention during that period. Here are a few strategies that can be employed for an improved UX.
Focus on the User
Your product might be your baby, but when you are working so closely with something for long, you are bound to miss some obvious cracks. Remember that a user might have a different experience, so it's crucial to test out your product or service with people outside your close circle. A successful UX means a user-oriented one, which helps the user reach the destination in the fastest and easiest route possible.
Spend Time and Energy on the Design Stage
The initial prototyping phase is the most crucial for a product or service, and this is where all your efforts should be focused on. It might seem costly at the outset, but this will save you money in the long run. Thorough UX research at the design stage will reveal the obstacles and errors right at the beginning, while fixing them during the development and release stages will be tedious and impossible at times.
As software expert Roger Pressman said once, "It will cost you $1 to fix an issue during the design process, $10 during the development stage, and $100 after release."
Improve SEO
There was a time when Google algorithms could be manipulated with strategically placed keywords and SEO-driven content. But not anymore! Google aims to provide the best results as quickly as possible, so only the most user-friendly and relevant best will eventually find its way to the top of the search engine results page. A quality UX means your site will climb the search results ladder, while a poor one will result in it being pushed to the second or third page, even if the content is fully optimized.
Stand Out
Thousands of apps and websites compete for the same services today, and the only way to catch the user's attention is to stand out. The best example for this would be Airbnb who outdid all competitors merely by inventing a platform sans all their oversights. Airbnb ensured that they provided real photographs of verified properties, made background checks, secured payment options, added reviews, and more. Similarly, keep a close watch on competitors, learn from users' reviews, and keep improvising to build a successful UX.
