Key to the success of any website is usability, meaning that anyone visiting the site can easily find what they’re looking for. If you want to increase the traffic to your website and improve your Google rankings, it’s vital you get potential users to test a new website design or developments to your website for usability before they go live. It’s amazing how many websites seem to have been designed with no input from other people whatsoever.
Start by asking people you know to have a look at your new website. These might be your staff, customers, partners, and even friends and family. A fresh pair of eyes may spot mistakes or issues that you can’t. Ask them for feedback on the overall design, the content and the structure. Here are some ideas for the kinds of questions you might ask.
Design of the website
• Is the overall look of the website attractive?
• Does the look of the website make them want to carry on browsing it to find information or buy something from you?
• If they’re using a mobile phone or tablet computer, does the website load quickly and look right?
Website content
• Does the text read well and make sense?
• Is it clear to them what your business or organisation is all about and what you do?
• Does it answer any questions they might have about your products or services?
Website structure
• Is the website easy and intuitive to navigate?
• Is it quick and easy to find the information they’re looking for?
It’s important that you act on the feedback you get. The people who’ve tested your website may be the kinds of people who’ll be your customers in the future. That means their opinion counts. Look at all the feedback and use it to decide whether you need to make any changes to the design, content or structure of your website.
Listening and acting on the feedback you get from website testing can reap dividends in helping you create a successful website that does well in Google’s rankings and brings you more customers.
