You want a user-friendly website where visitors can easily find the information they're looking for. Scientist Jakob Nielsen's 10 heuristics are a set of general principles for designing such user-friendly interfaces.
That's why in this blog, we delve deeper into these heuristics and - perhaps even more importantly - how to apply them. This way, you can directly tackle the usability of your website.
1. Visible system status
Users should always know what's happening on your website. This means providing clear feedback about the status of actions and tasks. Utilize visual feedback, such as color, shape, and icons. Think of buttons that change shape and/or color when hovered over with the mouse. Or use, for example, an animation to indicate a page is loading.
2. Correspondence between the system and the real world
For a user-friendly and an intuitive website experience, it's beneficial for users to see language and concepts familiar from the 'real world'. Understandable language is self-explanatory, but visual feedback is equally important. A button that looks like a button and appears pressed when clicked, that's what your user wants.
3. User control and freedom
What do you do when you end up on a website page but are unsure how you got there? You want to be able to return to the previous page. A good way to allow your visitor to step back in the navigation structure is with breadcrumbs or a clear back button. Active states on menu items also help to indicate where a user is in regards to your web environment.
4. Consistency and standards
Avoid confusion and aim for user-friendliness. This is easily achieved with consistent text and images. Also, ensure that all of your elements that perform the same behavior, have the same appearance. Here you can think of buttons, links and menu items that are clear and consistent in how they look.
5. Error prevention and easy recovery
Issuing an error message is simple, but don't forget to tell your user what went wrong. Was the provided email address invalid? Does an address or postcode combination not exist? Provide clear instructions, set limitations, and use error messages that are clear and helpful.
6. Recognition rather than recall
The less a user needs to remember to use your website or interface optimally, the better. Let the website remember important data or repeat the information in the right place when necessary.
7. Flexibility and efficiency of use
How you personally perform a specific task online may not necessarily be how someone else does it. Besides, a new user might need more explanation than an experienced user. In short, with smooth website navigation and readily available information on the page where users land, you can make sure that everyone can perform a task in their own way.
8. Aesthetic and minimalist design
A clean interface without cluttered layouts is what you want. Trust me, less is more! By presenting only relevant information in digestible chunks enhanced by good images, you prevent confusion and allow a user to focus on what they came for.
9. Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors
We all make mistakes from time to time; how you handle them makes a world of difference to the user experience. In a friendly and clear error message, explain what went wrong and provide an escape route. For example, ensure a sent message can be deleted or a delivery address can be changed after placing an order. Support your user in rectifying incorrect actions.
10. Help and documentation
For a user seeking help, documentation is always a good idea. Provide easily accessible documentation that answers potential questions. An FAQ is a good way to do this because users recognize it and know where to find it when seeking help.
By adhering to these 10 heuristics and implementing the suggested strategies, you can enhance the usability and overall user experience of your website. Remember, user satisfaction and ease of navigation are paramount in ensuring that visitors not only find what they're looking for, but also enjoy the journey along the way. So, take advantage of these insights, strive for continual improvement, and watch as your website becomes a beacon of user-friendliness in the digital landscape.
