by Cherie Camins

Created on: July 10, 2010   Last Updated: July 12, 2010

There are many reasons why you should want to make your website user friendly, but it really all boils down to one reason: the purpose of your website is meant for consumption from other users. Whether your site is meant for educational purposes or as an online presence for your business, the point is for other people besides yourself to see the website.

While that takes care of the why in the question, the more important thing is the how. How do you make your website user friendly? The answer to that question is simple - see your website through the eyes of the people who would be looking at it.

Whether the website in question is for personal reasons or for your business, more often than not, when it comes to designing, go for functionality and simplicity over style. The reason I say this is because when people try to go for style, they tend to go overboard so they add flashing pictures or sound or many other things that lag the website and thus your users' ability to fully appreciate your website. Or the color scheme of their website contrasts sharply (like bright green and yellow) or is illegible to read (light grey on white) and makes for an eye sore. If people have to work hard in order to use your site, then chances are, they are not going to use your site unless they absolutely have to, and they are going to find every possible way to not use your website. That is why you want simplicity, even when you upgrade to a better looking design, continue to think simplicity. You can always upgrade to style later.

When it comes to functionality, it is not only important for your website to look good, but to have an easy access to information. If someone has to jump through hoops to access your contact information or your business' policies, they may just click X instead, angry and frustrated. And with that, you have lost a potential customer.

As well, if users are meant to order through the website, then that needs to be as easy and hassle-free as possible.

Take a look at national sites like Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. Thousands of people browse through those websites everyday. What do you like about those websites? What do you not like? Is it easy to navigate? Can you find exactly what you need, or did it take you awhile? Take your findings and put it to use on your own website.

Remember those important steps:
1. Simplicity
2. Functionality
3. Take what you like and dislike from other websites other there to influence your own website

And the how of the question will take care of the why. A website should be user friendly because that is why you created a website in the first place, for other users to look at (and use).

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