Web Design Strategy Part 2 - UX and UI Essentials
Uploaded by
shokaxWeb Design Strategy Part 2 - UX and UI Essentials
Uploaded by
shokaxCircle
Web Design
Strategy Part 2:
UX and UI Essentials
It’s no secret that an effective website needs more than just a
visually appealing aesthetic. It requires both user experience (UX)
and user interface (UI) design. While UI focuses on visual elements,
UX ensures the website is intuitive and easy to navigate. Strategic
design plays a crucial role in balancing the two. The first part of this
series covers the foundation of design strategy in detail.
In this guide, we’ll explain why web designers must integrate
both UX and UI in their designs. We’ll also share best practices
for seamlessly combining them. The result? Beautiful, user-centric
websites that perform exceptionally well.
UX vs. UI
If you imagine a website as a car, the frame represents the code that provides the
website’s structure. The inner wiring and engine represent the UX, receiving inputs,
delivering outputs, and ultimately making the car run. Cosmetic details like button
placement and exterior paint represent the UI. Just as the perfect combination of
horsepower and design can convince someone to spend thousands on a car, a
seamless blend of UX and UI can motivate website visitors to purchase your clients’
products and services.
User experience
User interface
Every interaction you have with a company, its services, UI turns the science of UX into an art. It combines UX
and its products is part of the user’s experience. In web findings with human insight to create intuitive websites
design, UX includes a site’s content, structure, and overall users will actually enjoy. If UX provides a blueprint and
usability. It plays a central role in research, strategy, and raw materials, UI shapes and brings them to life.
iteration. Good UX design ensures customers and visitors
find what they need. A website that looks great but is difficult to use is an
example of great UI but poor UX. Conversely, a website that
is easy to use but looks unattractive is an example of great
UX but poor UI.
Now that we’ve defined UX and UI and explained why
they’re important, let’s break down how to incorporate them.
Research
Research is the foundation of any successful web
design project. By understanding the audience and
industry, you can make informed design decisions.
Use the following steps as a guide.
Set clear goals
To start, set S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, achievable,
relevant, and time-bound) goals for the website based
on your clients’ objectives. These goals should guide
your design process, including UX and UI strategies.
Understand your audience
Conduct thorough user research using surveys,
interviews, and data from any previous iterations of the
site. Understanding the unique value the site offers to
customers is crucial.
Then, create detailed client personas representing
different segments of your audience to establish a
clear picture of your end user.
Develop user journey maps
Based on the user personas, create user journey maps
to outline specific steps they’ll take on the site. This visual
tool highlights key touchpoints and potential pain points
to help you refine the user experience.
Design
Iteration
A high-quality design helps users achieve their goals. A successful website is one that evolves. Iteration is
Here’s how to create one. a crucial part of the web design process and ensures
the final product aligns with your clients’ goals. Begin
the process with these steps.
Prioritize usability and simplicity
Usability is at the heart of UX design. Ensure the website is
intuitive, with clear calls to action and user-friendly layouts.
G h at er feedback
Implement a simple and consistent navigation structure so Survey visitors and stakeholders to identify what works
users can find what they need with ease. Elements like a well and what needs improvement. Collect these insights
prominently displayed search bar and logical content with questionnaires, interviews, and live testing sessions
organization will help.
to understand their needs and preferences.
Focus on visual hierarchy
R eview the data
Visual hierarchy guides users’ attention to the most Evaluate the feedback to identify common themes. With
important elements on each page and supports both UI
Squarespace analytics , you can also look at user behavior
and UX. Use size, color, contrast, and white space to create
to identify the most visited pages and where users drop off.
a clear and organized layout. For primary calls to action,
use larger fonts and bolder colors. For secondary elements,
opt for softer colors and smaller fonts. That way, they’re
accessible but don’t overpower what’s most important.
U se A/B testing
W hen adding new elements, use A/B testing to compare
di erent versions of web pages or specific elements.
Ensure consistency
M
ff
easure their impact on engagement and conversion
and move forward with what’s most successful.
Consistent web design helps create a cohesive user
experience. Keep colors, typography, buttons, and other
UI elements similar throughout the website. Squarespace
templates serve as a great starting point because they’re
C ontinue to refine
designed with consistency in mind—elements like colors, The truth is, iteration is an ongoing process. Update
fonts, and header sizes are automatically the same across content, tweak design elements, ask for feedback. Then
the site.
repeat. If your client keeps you on retainer, it’s up to you
to continuously refine the website to meet and exceed
customer needs. If not, provide them with information on
how to manage and update their site during offboarding.
Bringing it all together
UX and UI work hand-in-hand to create a cohesive and effective website design.
Understanding the differences between UX and UI and integrating these practices
sets you up to create something both visually appealing and user-friendly. This
approach will help attract visitors, keep them engaged, and keep them coming back.
Up next, we’ll cover how to structure content so users can navigate your site as
effectively as possible.
