What Makes a Website Easy to Use?

Are you planning to rebuild your website so that your target audience can easily access it? That’s a great move to grow your business!

As a business owner, you likely already understand how essential your website is to attracting new customers and keeping current ones. But a well-designed website isn't enough. It also needs to be easy to use, or visitors will get frustrated and leave. 

We live in a fast-paced world, and people expect websites to be intuitive, fast, and easy to navigate. If your website doesn’t meet those expectations, you could lose sales, leads, or trust from potential customers.

At SMK Creations, we understand that we have strategies for making a website easy to use. 

Let’s break them down and guide you on how to build one for your business. 

Let’s cover everything, from website design and navigation to speed and accessibility. We’ll also share practical tips and real-world examples to help you every step of the way.

1. Clear Navigation

Navigation is one of the first things visitors notice when they land on your site. If people can’t figure out where to go next, they’ll get frustrated and leave. A good navigation menu helps visitors find what they need quickly without feeling lost.

Take Apple’s website as an example. Its menu is simple, with clear categories like “Mac,” “iPad,” and “Watch.” It’s easy for customers to understand what each section is about, making it quick to get where they want to go.

So how can you make your website easy to navigate?

• Keep your main navigation simple and limited to 5-7 key items.
• Use clear, descriptive labels (e.g., “Shop,” “Contact Us,” “About”).
• Place the menu where users expect to find it — typically at the top or on the left.

2. Responsive Design

More people now browse the web on their phones. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’ll lose potential customers. A responsive design ensures your site adjusts to any screen size

Amazon is a perfect example of a responsive website. Have you noticed how it is to shop on Amazon from your phone? The site shrinks, rearranges, and adapts, making it just as easy to shop on mobile as it is on a desktop. 

How do you make your site responsive?

• Test your website on multiple devices to ensure it looks good everywhere.
• Avoid using too many pop-ups or elements that don’t work well on smaller screens.
• Use bigger buttons for easy tapping on mobile.

3. Fast Loading Times

Nobody likes waiting. If your website takes too long to load, visitors will leave before they even see what you offer. Studies show that 53% of mobile users will abandon a page that takes longer than 3 seconds to load. So, make sure your website is optimized for speed.

Look at Google’s homepage. It’s super simple and loads almost instantly, making it easy for users to get to what they want right away.

Tips on how to create a fast-loading website: 

• Compress images so they don’t slow down the page.
• Minimise unnecessary scripts or heavy code that could delay loading.
• Use a reliable web hosting provider that ensures quick load times.

4. Simple, Intuitive Design

When it comes to design, simple is better. Too much clutter on a page can overwhelm visitors and make them unsure of what to do next. A clean, organised design helps users focus on what's important.

Check out the design of websites like Dropbox. It’s clean, with clear headings, plenty of white space, and just a few items that stand out — like the “Sign Up” button.

Tips:

• Use white space to create breathing room around text and images.
• Limit your use of colours and fonts to just a few key options.
• Use large, easy-to-read fonts so users don’t strain their eyes.

5. Easy-to-Read Content

Good content isn’t just about the words you use — it’s about how you present them. Break up text into small chunks, use headings and bullet points, and make sure your language is clear and straightforward. This makes it easy for visitors to skim and find what they need.

For instance, b blog post from HubSpot usually has a catchy headline, followed by short paragraphs and bullet points. This makes it easy to read and digest quickly.

How to make your content easy to read:

• Use headings to guide visitors through your content.
• Break up large blocks of text with lists, images, and short paragraphs.
• Write in a conversational tone, avoiding jargon unless it's necessary.

6. Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

A Call-to-Action (CTA) is a prompt that tells your visitors what to do next. Whether it’s “Shop Now,” “Sign Up,” or “Contact Us,” your CTA should be easy to spot and clear about what will happen when clicked. If it’s hard to figure out how to take the next step, visitors might just leave.

On the website of an online clothing store, you’ll often see a large “Add to Cart” button that stands out in a bright colour. It’s easy to see and click and helps users move through the shopping process.

How to create effective CTAs:

• Make your CTA buttons large and easy to find.
• Use action-oriented language like “Get Started” or “Download Now.”
• Place CTAs where they make sense — for example, at the end of a blog post or near the top of your homepage.

7. Search Function

A search bar is really helpful, especially on sites with a lot of content or products. It lets visitors quickly find what they’re looking for without having to click through several pages..

On a site like eBay, for instance. The search bar is right at the top, allowing users to quickly type in what they’re looking for, whether it’s a product, auction, or seller.

Tips:

• Make sure your search bar is visible and easy to access.
• Offer autocomplete suggestions to make searches even easier.
• Ensure your search function returns relevant results.

8. Consistent Branding

Your website’s design, colours, fonts, and messaging should match your overall brand. A consistent look and feel helps build trust with your visitors and make your site feel more professional.

Coca-Cola’s website is instantly recognizable because it stays true to its brand colours (red and white), fonts, and overall cheerful vibe. Visitors feel confident they’re on the right site.

Tips on how to create consistent branding: 

• Use your brand’s colours, fonts, and logo consistently across your website.
• Ensure that your messaging reflects your brand’s personality.
• Make sure your website’s design matches the tone you want for your business.

9. User Feedback and Reviews

Customer reviews and feedback are incredibly valuable, not just for SEO but also for showing visitors that your product or service is trusted by others. Reviews help build credibility and provide social proof that makes people more comfortable with making a purchase or getting in touch.

On websites like TripAdvisor, user reviews play a huge role in helping others decide whether to book a hotel or tour. The star ratings, combined with written feedback, give visitors insight into what to expect.

How to build a website like TripAdvisor:

• Display customer reviews or testimonials prominently on product pages or landing pages.
• Make it easy for visitors to leave reviews.
• Highlight your best reviews to showcase customer satisfaction.

10. Accessibility

Making your website accessible means ensuring that everyone, including people with special needs, can use it. This includes adding descriptions for images, making sure the site can be navigated with a keyboard, and ensuring that text is easy to read by having a good contrast with the background.

Websites like Microsoft make sure to follow accessibility guidelines by offering features such as high-contrast modes and text-to-speech options.

Tips on how to create a website that’s easy to access: 

• Use alt text for all images so screen readers can describe them.
• Ensure your website is navigable by keyboard alone.
• Check colour contrast to make sure text is readable for people with visual impairments.

Let’s Build Your Website Today!

Remember, a user-friendly website isn’t just about looks — it’s about creating an experience that makes visitors feel at ease and confident. Clear navigation, responsive design, fast loading, and accessible content are key to providing value for you and your customers.

With the right design and attention to detail, your website can grow your business, boost sales, and strengthen audience connections. Take a moment to review your site. Is it easy to use? If not, don’t worry — small tweaks can make a big impact.

If you can’t handle it yourself, SMK Creations is here to support you. Check out our past projects to see how we can transform your website.