Introduction
A good website project begins long before the first sketch. The most important decisions are made when discussing the user, their needs and the business goals.
Many usability problems do not come from weak graphic design, but from incorrect assumptions made at the very beginning. Before a wireframe or interface design is created, it is worth answering a few questions that will help build a site guiding users towards the right action.
Design begins with understanding the user
UX is not guessing what visitors might want. It is making decisions based on real needs and goals.
Conversations with clients, enquiry analysis, data from the current site and the sales team’s experience provide far more value than assumptions. They make it possible to design a user journey that answers questions at the right moment and leads to contact or purchase. The better you understand your audience before starting the project, the fewer costly changes will be needed after launch.
Five questions to ask before starting a project
The answers help create a site based on facts rather than assumptions.
- What decision should the user make after visiting the site?
- What information is essential to resolve their doubts?
- What currently makes it difficult for customers to get in touch or make a purchase?
- How will you know that the new site has achieved its goal?
A project based on assumptions or data?
At the planning stage, you can decide whether the project will be driven by intuition or informed decisions.
“We think users want to see an animation and a long company story first.”
“The analysis shows that users first look for the service scope, pricing, case studies and a simple way to get in touch.”
If you cannot explain why an element is on the page and how it helps the user achieve their goal, it is probably not needed.
The best UX projects are not created through intuition. They are created by asking the right questions before design begins.
The Pagecode approach
Summary
A well-planned UX process reduces the number of revisions and increases the site’s effectiveness after launch.
Remember
- Start by understanding the user and their needs.
- Design for specific business goals, not aesthetics.
- Base decisions on data and conversations with clients.
- Every element of the site should help the user take the next step.