Ten simple steps to make your site more usable
- Use a simple site address : If possible use a simple website address so visitors can easily remember and find your site.
- Page titles : Every page title should be unique, simple and explain what the page is all about. It will increase the click rate when your visitor finds it on a search engine listing. Unique page titles will also ensure it is crawled and indexed individually by a search engine like Google.
- Fast Loading : Keep the page load time to under a few seconds so that your visitor is not kept waiting.
- Easy Navigation : Your site should be easy to navigate (without a huge learning curve for the visitor). The visitor should always know where they are on your site via breadcrumbs or other visual indicators.
- Labels : All labels (menu, buttons, form fields) must make sense to your
visitors. Dont use labels that are too technical. Avoid using generic labels like 'Products'. - Sitemap : Always provide an easy to find link to the sitemap page. A sitemap should give your visitor a simple overview of all the areas on your site. A sitemap will also help search engines find links to every page and area of your site.
- Search : Always provide a site search box on your home page. This allows your visitor to easily find content without relying on the site navigation.
- Content is still the king : Make sure all the relevant content is organised together. Make sure the content on the site is fresh and up to date (like contact details).
- Contact details : Always show contact details (top right corner) on the home page or atleast an easy to find 'Contact Us' link for visitors who want to contact you.
- Homepage should say what the site is all about : Add a short summary on what your company does or your site is all about so your visitors are not left guessing. Don't show a link to the homepage on the homepage. On every other page your logo should link back to your homepage.
