5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Website's Usability

Helen Davies
Jul 27
4 min read

I'm a web designer, but I don't write about web design very often. I think that's because it's something that's usually easier to show than explain. But I'm going to give it a go!

These are the things I've been doing for so many years that they've become second nature. When a website is missing one of these elements, I can usually spot it straight away.

If you miss one of these elements in your web design, visitors land on your website and aren't quite sure what your business does. They click from page to page looking for answers, can't find what they need and eventually leave without making an enquiry, buying a product, downloading a guide or signing up to a newsletter.

The good news is that improving your website's usability doesn't have to be complicated.

Here are five simple things that can make a huge difference.

1. Keep your navigation clear and simple

I love a good declutter around the house, don't you? The less visual clutter there is, the more focused and productive I feel.

Websites work exactly the same way.

The fewer choices people have in your navigation, the easier it is for them to find what they're looking for.

Another tip is to use page names that people already understand. There's an unwritten structure that most websites follow because it's familiar and easy to use. Typically, this includes:

Home
About (or Our Story)
Services (or Shop)
Blog or News
Contact

You might also have pages such as FAQs, Testimonials or a Gallery, but these don't always need to be in your main navigation, it depends how many other pages you have.

The order matters too. Visitors expect to see Home first, followed by your key pages, with a clear call-to-action button over on the right.

If people don't have to think about where to click next, you're doing it right.

2. Create a strong hero section

The first section people see on your homepage is called the hero section.

Its job is simple.

Within a few seconds, visitors should know exactly what you do and whether they're in the right place.

Use a strong image, a clear headline and a short sentence explaining how you help. Avoid trying to say everything at once. The clearer your message, the more likely people are to keep scrolling.

3. Guide people through your website logically

When someone visits your website, they'll usually have a number of questions in their mind. Your content should answer them in the right order.

Think about it like this:

What do you do?
Why should I trust you?
What's in it for me?
Can you prove it?
What should I do next?

If your website naturally answers these questions as someone scrolls down the page, they'll feel far more confident about getting in touch.

4. Never underestimate the power of great images

Photograph from Michelle Morris - The Confidence Photographer

Have you ever stopped scrolling because a photograph instantly caught your eye?

Images have an incredible ability to make people feel something.

The right imagery can create trust, excitement, reassurance or inspiration before someone has even read a single word.

Whenever possible, use high-quality, authentic images that reflect your business and the people behind it. They help visitors connect with you much more quickly than stock photos ever could.

I'm lucky enough to work with a few local, photographers, all brilliant at their own specific area of photography:

Michelle Morris - The Confidence Photographer
Emm B Murrills - EBM Brand Photography
Helen Yandell - Helen Yandell Photography

Photos courtesy of Emma B Murrills, EBM Brand Photography.

5. Give people one clear call to action

A call to action (or CTA) is simply telling your visitor what you'd like them to do next.

Whether that's Book a Discovery Call, Request a Quote, Download Our Guide or Get in Touch, make it obvious.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is websites trying to get visitors to do too many different things at once. If every button is shouting for attention, people often end up doing nothing.

Decide what the main goal of each page is and build everything around that single action. Repeat it throughout the page so visitors don't have to go searching when they're ready to take the next step.

Improving usability is a win-win

Great websites aren't just about looking professional. They're about making life easy for your visitors.

When your navigation is clear, your message is easy to understand, your pages flow naturally, your images create the right feeling and your calls to action are obvious, people are much more likely to stay on your website and take the next step.

Sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest difference.