10 Steps to a User Friendly Small Business Website

The key to a successful small business website is making sure people can find the information they need from it quickly and easily. Here are 10 steps any good web designer will follow to ensure you have a truly user-friendly site.

1. Consistency

Using the same font styles, font sizing and colours on every page of a website will ensure visitors don't feel they've accidentally clicked away to a different site. It will also provide a streamlined, familiar experience for the visitor.

2. Soft Contrasts

Black text on a white background can create a harsh effect for the reader. Softer grey shades on a light background are much more user friendly.

3. Appropriate Text Sizing

A decent sized font is advisable for any website for small business, so that no one is straining their eyes as they read. Whilst smaller sized fonts are often considered more ‘fashionable', they can actually serve to annoy some visitors. If your target audience is made up of older people or those with disabilities, considering their needs is important when setting a font size.

4. Making use of the footer area

Creating lists of popular links in the footer of a small business website is a good idea. Visitors are used to looking here to find what they need quickly. The footer can also be used to publicise links to sub-pages which may not appear on the main navigation. It's also a good place to put your address and contact details so that they appear on every page to inspire visitor trust.

5. Linking the logo to the home page

It's widely known that clicking on a company logo will take you back to the website's home page. It will only serve to frustrate visitors if this function is not present.

6. Clearly worded links

Visitors landing on your website may well be in a hurry, looking for information they need in an instant. Links must therefore be clearly set out and labelled appropriately.

7. Obvious links

Visitors to your small business website won't automatically assume a link is active unless you make it obvious. Underlining or a different colour will serve to depict this, but again, consistency is a must!

8. Avoiding new windows

You don't want to put someone off visiting your website by bombarding them with new windows. Links should open in the existing browser window (unless it's a PDF document or an external website).

9. Breaking up the text

Break blocks of content up with sub-headings, lists and bullet points to help your readers focus comfortably on the information you are providing, without feeling overwhelmed.

10. Always listen to feedback

You'll need to listen carefully to any feedback you receive about how easy your site is to use, as this is the true meaning of a user-friendly website.

Following these points, or making sure your website designer is, will set you on your way to a successful small business website.