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17 Tips to improve UI design for your website: an UI checklist

-by
Akil Natchimuthu
,
Jul 18, 2022
17 Tips to improve UI design for your website: an UI checklist

A user interface (UI) is the part of a website that a user sees and interacts with. It's the part of the website that looks and feels appealing and makes the user want to explore further. UI design is essential for any website, but it's particularly important for businesses that need to attract and retain customers. In this post, we'll share 17 tips for designing an appealing UI for your website. So if you're looking to make your website look and feel professional, read on!


What is UI design?

UI design is the process of designing the user interface for a website or application. It involves creating a visual design for the menus, buttons, labels, and other user interface elements. UI designers also work to make sure that the user interface looks consistent across all devices and browsers.


UI designers use a variety of design tools, including Photoshop, Sketch, Inkscape, and Illustrator. They typically have a strong understanding of web design principles, such as responsive design and cross-device compatibility.


UI designers often work with developers to create the user interface for web applications or websites. They also work with engineers to help create prototypes or test designs.


The difference between UI and UX

UI and UX are two of the most commonly used terms in the design and development industry. However, what does that mean?


UI (User Interface) is the look and feel of a user's experience with a product or service. This includes everything from the layout of a website to the design of the menus and buttons. It is essential that UI is easy to use and navigate, which is why effective UI design is crucial for any business.


UX (User Experience) is the overall experience that a user has when using a product or service. This includes everything from how easy it is to find what you're looking for to how satisfying the end product feels. Poor UX can lead to unhappy customers, which can seriously damage a business's reputation.


Why is UI important for a website?

UI (User Interface) is important for any website because it helps the user navigate and interact with the site. A good UI will make the website easy to use and navigate, while also being visually appealing. It should be user-friendly and consistent across all pages of the site.


UI can also help improve SEO by making the website more visible to search engines. Good UI design can help users find what they're looking for faster, and may also lead to higher click-through rates (CTRs). Finally, a good UI can make the overall experience of using the site more enjoyable.


18 methods to improve UI design for your website

1. Use typography to make your UI look sleek and professional

Typefaces can make a big difference in the look and feel of your UI. Choose fonts that are legible and easy to read, both onscreen and on print.


2. Use color sparingly but effectively

Too much color can be overwhelming, especially on small screens. Try to use only two or three colors per element in order to create a more refined look.


3. Make sure all elements fit within the bounds of web standards

Make sure all elements—from menus to buttons to labels—are responsive and conform to web design standards. This will ensure that your UI looks good on any device or browser, regardless of its age or configuration.


4. Use grid patterns and typography as a foundation

Grid patterns are a great way to structure your UI layout and add stability and consistency to the overall look of your site. Choose fonts that scale well with grids, so they appear consistent across different screen sizes (and devices)


5. Use grid alignment and padding to create a clean, organized design

Alignment and padding can help to organize elements within a grid, creating a neater and more polished look. Use these features sparingly, however, as they can become too cluttered or busy if overused.


6. Make sure all elements are accessible via keyboard shortcuts or drag-and-drop

People with disabilities can often be excluded from mainstream online participation, due to the difficulty of using keyboard shortcuts and navigating through mouse-driven interfaces. Make sure all elements on your site are accessible via shortcut keys or drag-and-drop, so everyone—regardless of ability—has an equal chance to participate.


7. Make sure all elements are clickable

Users want to be able to easily navigate your UI and interact with the content on your site. Make sure all links open in a new window or tab so users don’t have to leave your page altogether. Also make all buttons and links clickable, so users can easily activate them.


8. Use color sparingly but thoughtfully to improve the overall look of your UI

Using color in your UI can improve the overall look and feel of your site, but remember to use it thoughtfully. Too much color can become overwhelming and rob users of important information. Try to use colors sparingly, instead relying on typography, grid patterns, and other elements to provide a foundation for colorful design elements.


9. Make sure all buttons are clearly labeled and easy to reach

Users want to know what actions they need to take in order to interact with your UI. Make sure all buttons are clearly labeled and easily reachable, so users don’t have to search around for them. Also make sure all buttons are responsive so they enlarge or change size depending on the device being used.


10. Keep navigation menus simple and intuitive

Users want to be able to navigate your UI quickly and easily. Keep navigation menus simple and intuitive, with only the most important links visible at a time. Also make sure all menus are responsive so they resize when users drag them around or change their screen size.


11. Minimize clutter by hiding unnecessary elements (such as ads or social media links)

Clutter can quickly take over a UI and make it difficult for users to find what they’re looking for. Hide unnecessary elements (such as ads or social media links) by placing them in smaller, easily-hidden spots. Also try to use hierarchy and separations in your design so that important content is readily apparent and less likely to get buried under extraneous details.


12. Use fonts that are legible at a small size and in dark environments

Poorly-designed fonts can make text difficult to read at small sizes and in dark environments. Try to choose fonts that are legible both at large sizes and when they’re reduced down to a minimum size. Also make sure the font styles you use are easily readable, using basic shapes and weights instead of elaborate or ornate lettering.


13. Use whitespace effectively to break up large blocks of text and create a more refined look

Too much text can be overwhelming and difficult to read. Use whitespace effectively to break up large blocks of text, making the UI look more refined and condensed. Try using a few lines of white space between paragraphs, or separating different types of content using borders or other graphic elements.


14. Choose high-quality images that will look good at any size

Images play an important role in conveying information on a website, and it’s crucial that they look good both when they ’re large and when they’re reduced down to a minimum size. Choose high-quality images that will look good at any size, whether they’re used in small thumbnails or as the main image on a page. Also make sure your images are properly cropped and resolution-ready so that they display crisply on all devices.


15. Use clear typography to help users understand what they’re looking at

Good typography can be an important tool for helping users understand what they’re looking at. Clear and easy-to-read type can help users navigate your website more easily, making it easier for them to find the information they need. Try to use a variety of fonts and sizes, as well as Bold and Italic text styles, to make sure everything is easy to read.


16. Avoid using too many images (they can slow down page load times)

One of the worst things you can do for your website is to use too many images. Not only will using multiple images slow down page load times, but they’ll also take up more space on your server and may not be scalable if you ever want to make your site bigger. Try to stick with a few high-quality images that will convey the most important information on your page without bogging it down in unnecessary visuals.


17. Test your UI design on different devices (both desktop and mobile) to make sure it looks good across all platforms

When you’re designing your UI, it’s important to make sure that it looks good on both desktop and mobile devices. Not all devices are created equal, so making sure your design looks good on all of them is essential for attracting a wider audience. Test your UI design in different browsers and on different types of screens, to ensure that everything looks perfect when users see it in action.


Conclusion

In the end, we hope that our tips have given you some insights and new ideas to improve your UI design. The main point is to make sure that the information is easy for your users to access and understand quickly. Nowadays, even people with minimal computer skills can use a web browser as a tool for searching, reading news and checking social media posts. To ensure that they get quick help when they need it, their user interfaces should be optimized in such a way too!


We hope this article can help you consider these 18 tips while designing the user experience of your website.