DIY Guide to Improving Your Website’s User Experience with Visual Elements

Many entrepreneurs spend a fortune on web design but fail to get results. More often than not, this problem is related to the user experience (UX) rather than the products they sell. You can have a visually appealing website and still lose customers simply because they're unhappy with their shopping experience. 

For example, a complex navigation menu can make it difficult for consumers to find the information or products they are looking for. A cluttered interface, poor accessibility, and ineffective site search tools can deter visitors, too. 

One solution is to use a quick and easy website builder, such as Wix. This will allow you to edit or update your site with just a few clicks—and preview the changes before applying them. Plus, you can easily add new features for better UX without having to hire a web designer. 

For starters, optimize your website's layout, navigation menu, buttons, and other visual elements. Here's how to do it right. 

How to Use Visuals for a Seamless User Experience

Your website's visuals influence customers' purchase decisions and can impact your marketing efforts, brand image, and revenue.

According to Retail Technology Review, 75% of online shoppers decide whether or not to buy a product based on photos alone. On a similar note, Marketing Dive found that 40% of consumers are more likely to buy from websites with video content, and 80% say they want more product videos. 

The colors, fonts, banners, and other visual elements on your site can impact sales, too. For instance, certain colors create a sense of urgency and encourage customers to take action. 

But what does it take to create a visually balanced website? And how can you tell what works and what doesn't? Let's find out.

Choose Accessible Fonts

When building a website, it can be tempting to use unique fonts to set your brand apart. The problem is that many "cool" fonts are hard to read, especially for people with visual impairments. 

Take Vivaldi, for example. It looks fancy and sophisticated but requires effort to read. On top of that, they can be too distracting and slow the reader down. The same goes for Papyrus, Curlz, Bleeding Cowboys, and other popular fonts. 

Ideally, stick to accessible fonts like Tahoma, Verdana, Calibri, Rockwell, or Arvo. In general, sans-serif fonts are a safe bet due to their simplicity and block-like appearance. 

Ensure Appropriate Color Contrast 

Make sure your website's layout and visual elements have appropriate color contrast. Not only will this make the text more legible, but it can also enhance accessibility and UX. Therefore, it may lead to higher engagement, lower bounce rates, and increased sales.  

As a general rule, aim for a contrast ratio of 3:1 for text and images and 4:5:1 for large-scale text. Use the color contrast checker provided by WebAIM, TPGi, or UserWay to analyze and optimize your website's contrast ratio. 

Embrace White Space 

White space around text and images can improve readability, reduce clutter, and minimize distractions. It also gives your website a fresh, modern look and makes it easier to highlight essential information.  

For starters, put white space around headings, CTA buttons, product photos, and other key elements. Check out Apple's website, which uses lots of white space on product pages. This approach resulted in a sleek, minimalist design and good legibility. 

You can also use white space instead of borders or dividers to visually separate sections on web pages. This will keep the page looking clean and prevent eye strain. 

Create Compelling Visuals to Convey Complex Messages 

The average person doesn't have the time or patience to read entire pages. Even those who do may still miss important information due to fatigue, distractions, or cognitive overload. 

With that in mind, use infographics, charts, diagrams, and other visuals to convey complex messages. Images can make it easier to get your point across and translate data into actionable insights. 

Let's say you published an article about protein requirements for different ages and lifestyles. That's a lot of information, even for readers who are familiar with the topic. 

While it's important to write an in-depth post, you should also add a chart to summarize the data and key points in your article. This will allow the reader to quickly grasp your message and see all the numbers at a glance. 

Build Trust and Credibility with Visual UGC

"UGC" stands for user-generated content, such as customer reviews and social media posts. Basically, it describes any type of content created and shared by a brand's customers, serving as social proof. 

Most consumers trust UGC due to its authenticity. Think about the product reviews you read on eBay or Amazon before making a purchase. Without them, it would be hard to tell which products live up to the claims, how long they last, and what flaws they have. 

Visual UGC has an even greater potential because it's often more credible and easier to digest than text. For instance, a video of a customer wearing a winter jacket tells more about that product than dozens of written reviews. 

As a business owner, you can use this type of content to create a seamless shopping experience. Add customer photos and videos to your product pages, share video testimonials on your homepage, and create lookbooks featuring user-submitted images. 

Make Your CTA Buttons Stand Out 

Your call-to-action (CTA) buttons should clearly tell visitors what's expected of them. They should also encourage them to take the next step, such as joining your list or buying a product. 

To drive conversions, make your CTAs stand out by using bold text, visual cues, and contrasting colors. Also, get creative with their shape and design. 

For example, you can use visual effects like soft shadows or gradients to add depth. Or take inspiration from Spotify and create CTA buttons with rounded corners for a friendlier feel. 3D effects, hover effects, or subtle animations can work, too, depending on your website’s layout and target audience. 

As a final word, conduct A/B testing to see how these changes impact the user experience. You can also use heatmap software like Mouseflow, HotJar, or CrazyEgg to track visitor behavior on your site in real time. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and take your UX design to the next level.