Have you ever watched a show that was so good but then the ending fell flat? For me, it’s the final season of Game of Thrones. They had seven great seasons, and we were all ready for an epic finale, but it just didn’t deliver. It made me not want to watch House of the Dragon (which, by the way, I’m so glad I did because I’m high-key obsessed with HotD!).
That is how a website can feel to your ideal client when the User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) aren’t a priority. UI/UX is not just about aesthetics and functionality when designing a website. It’s the difference between a website that drives conversions, enhances brand perception, and fosters customer loyalty and one that drives users away. Here is what they are and why they are so important.
What Is User Experience In Design?
User experience (UX) is how the person using your website feels, acts, and perceives your website (or another product). Good UX ensures that your ideal client’s emotions, attitudes, and perceptions are what you want them to be. UX ensures that all website elements add to your ideal client’s experience. You don’t want your website to distract or confuse your website users from what they need.
In design, UX deliverables are typically wireframes, user personas, user journey maps, and usability reports.
A website lacking good UX can lead to frustrating experiences for users. Broken links and confusing navigation are more than just examples of bad UX—they’re ideal client barriers that can drive away sales.
What Is User Interface In Design?
User interface (UI) is not just the look and feel of a website. It’s the key to enhancing user experience (UX). UI is about making your website visually appealing and inviting for your users, enhancing their overall experience. It encompasses traditional brand design, like colour palettes and typography. UI deliverables are typically style guides, visual mockups, interactive elements, and icons.
Bad UI includes inconsistent design elements or not enough negative space on your website.
How Are UX And UI Different?
UI is what you see. UX is what holds everything together.
UX is broad, focusing on the entire user journey. It’s about understanding your users’ needs, ensuring the product is easy to use, and solving problems before they come up. On the other hand, UI focuses on aesthetics and function. It’s about making your website visually appealing and inviting for your users. UI is part of UX, but UX involves much more than UI.
For example, if you’re designing a button, UI dictates its shape, colour, and size and how it responds when clicked. UX design considers whether the button is in the right place to help the user achieve their end goal.
Why Are UX And UI Important?
- UX and UI give a good first impression
The first things someone notices on your website are how it looks (UI) and how easy it is to use (UX). If the design is attractive and the site is easy to navigate, your ideal client will likely stay on your website.
First impressions last, leading to longer website visits, reduced bounce rates, and more sales, sign-ups, and impact.
- UX and UI attract a wider audience of people
UX and UI ensure that your website is accessible to a broad range of people, including those with disabilities. For instance, people with visual impairments can easily read a website with good contrast and clear text. When you make the site accessible to more people, you’ll be viewed as inclusive and more likely to attract ideal clients.
- UX and UI help your ideal client do what they want quickly
If your ideal client finds your website enjoyable and easy to use, they will likely engage with it. Good UX design helps your ideal client find what they’re looking for and complete tasks like signing up for a newsletter, buying a product, or contacting you. UI design makes these actions visually clear and attractive.
- UX and UI make it easy to fix problems
Investing in UI and UX design at first helps you identify usability issues before they become expensive to fix. It also means that when there is a problem, there is likely already a basis for solving it.
- UX and UI make your website stand out from the crowd
By investing in good UI/UX, your website can stand out. A well-designed and easy-to-use website can make your business look more professional, trustworthy, and customer-first, giving you a competitive edge.
Need A UX/UI Designer?
I’m Jordyn, a UX and UI web and brand designer based in Vancouver. I create user-friendly and visually appealing websites that prioritize the user’s experience. Whether you’re a design studio looking for an expert, a business owner who understands the need for UX and UI, or a designer who’s brushing up on your skills, you’re welcome here.
Want web and brand design, white labeling services, or mentorship? Inquire here!
