Did you know that design is a major factor in 94% of first impressions made over websites?
That's how big of an impact web design has on Internet users. It affects them so much that over a third of them will leave a site with an unattractive layout.
Web design, however, is only one of the key factors of effective website functionality.
So, what then are the other integral elements that make a site functional? What features should your site have that will make it even more enjoyable for visitors to use?
We've rounded up four of them in this list, so be sure to read on for improved website functionality!
1. Website Encryption
Google Chrome, Apple's Safari, and Mozilla Firefox account for 90% of the US browser market. All three have been flagging and tagging HTTP-only sites. Even the less commonly used Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer now do the same.
Regardless of the browser used, they now notify users that the website is "not secure". People who want to visit these sites will get a message warning them of the potential dangers of that site.
That said, one of the website rules you need to abide by is the use of security certificates. You can do this by converting your site from HTTP to HTTPS. The S there stands for "Secure", which means that it's encrypted by a TLS/SSL certificate. There are many SSL sellers available in the market from where you can buy SSL certificates with lowest cost.
2. Responsive Design
Even Google recommends the use of responsive web design to boost website functionality. Google experts say that this makes the job of the search engine's algorithms easier. This then translates to the algorithms being able to load web pages faster.
From a user's viewpoint, responsive web design means reduced page loading times. No one likes to wait, so making them do so can ultimately lead to them leaving your website.
3. Ease of Navigation
In this case, one of the best website functionality examples is the need for less scrolling. For instance, this can mean that the website features and functions get shown as soon as the page loads up. One way to do this is to get all the site's key pages (Products, Services, Contact Us, etc.) to show up at the top of the landing page.
Better yet, you can have all key elements of the site formatted to show up in the middle of the page. Take a look at the pages of the our Bootstrap Business Blog, for instance. The most important elements are in the center, which helps visitors hone in on what the site contains.
4. Site Accessibility
One billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. They’re less likely to not go online than those without disability, but many of them still do go online. In fact, only half of disabled US adults say they're unlikely to go online every day.
That said, modern website design rules now prioritize accessibility for the disabled. A few examples of such features are bigger fonts, zoom features, and speak screens.
Website Functionality Is Key to Your Site’s Success
There you have it, four of the key elements that rule over website functionality. So, as early as now, make sure that all four are present in your site design and layout. This way, you'll have better chances of keeping all your site visitors engaged.
Looking for more digital marketing tips to boost your site's performance? Then be sure to check the rest of the posts filed under the Digital Marketing and Web Dev sections for more advice on website functionality and website optimization.
