Google ranks sites based on their relevance to user queries. Additionally, popular webpages that users expect to find are often given higher rankings as the primary goal is to satisfy users. One of the fundamental ways to gain popularity with users is by creating a frictionless and enjoyable site experience.
Google is implementing a minor ranking boost for web pages that successfully meet their Core Web Vitals Test. Core Web Vitals (CWV) are metrics used to gauge the user experience of website visitors. Check out this blog post about Core Web Vitals optimization
When people share a site, they are essentially sharing their positive experience with it. These are the types of pages that tend to evoke enthusiasm, leading people to share, link to, and recommend them. Naturally, sites that rank well are those that users feel excited enough to endorse and recommend.
Which tools can I use to improve UX?
Heatmap and Behavior Tracking Tools
Tools like UXsniff and Hotjar provide visual heatmaps, click maps, and scroll maps to analyze how users interact with your website. This data helps identify popular areas, user engagement, and potential UX issues.
Feedback and Survey Tools
Tools like SurveyMonkey allow you to collect feedback through targeted surveys or feedback forms. Gain insights into user preferences, pain points, and suggestions for improving the UX.
Website Analytics
Tools like Google Analytics provide data on user behavior, such as page views, bounce rates, and conversion rates. Analyze this data to identify UX issues, track user journeys, and make data-driven improvements.
Accessibility Evaluation Tools
Tools like WebAIM’s WAVE and Axe Accessibility can assess your website’s accessibility. Identify areas that need improvement, such as alt text for images, heading structure, and color contrast.
Performance Testing Tools
Tools like WebPageTest and Google PageSpeed Insights analyze website performance. Optimize loading speed, minimize page weight, and enhance user experience by ensuring fast and smooth interactions.
Remember, while tools are valuable, involving user research, empathy, and iterative design practices are essential for creating an exceptional user experience. Combine these tools with a deep understanding of your target audience and their needs to continually improve your UX.
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and responsive.
Mobile-responsive design is essential for both user experience and SEO. With over 58% of website traffic coming from mobile searches, neglecting mobile responsiveness can negatively impact the experience of more than half of your visitors.
Nowadays, experienced UX designers prioritize mobile-responsive design in all their projects. However, if your website is not responsive on mobile devices, including tablets and different web browsers, you will likely see poor user engagement metrics for these devices.
To check if your site is mobile-responsive, you can use the Google Mobile-friendly Testing tool.
Final thoughts
Building a positive user experience is a fundamental element in achieving good search performance. When a website prioritizes user experience, it reaps numerous benefits such as attracting quality links, increasing page views, enhancing conversion rates, and ultimately boosting earnings. By emphasizing the user experience, a website stands to gain in multiple ways and has nothing to lose.
Feel free to watch Matt Cutts has to say about optimizing your website for user experience.