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Optimized UX in Backend Software: 4 Principles of Intuitive Design for Internal Tools

Author: Eleanor Hecks Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have internal tools like administrator panels, dashboards, approval queues and data entry platforms. However, just because these technologies are common does not mean they typically look good or are easy to use. How can decision-makers apply the principles of intuitive backend design to their user experience (UX)?

The Importance of a Well-Designed Backend

Many business leaders deprioritize the look and feel of internal tools because they believe the consumer-facing user interface (UI) is the only one that matters. While the assumption that software for employees is somehow less important may seem harmless, it can significantly impact productivity and morale.

Software developers can hardly concentrate when they bounce between pages, documents and platforms for one project. Research shows that resuming an interrupted task takes roughly 25 minutes on average, affecting productivity. As a result, businesses take longer to release updates and complete requests.

Clutter complicates things. Even seemingly straightforward tasks can be tedious if employees lack well-designed backend software. In addition to being time-consuming, it makes them error-prone. For example, they may cause version control issues when changing their copy of a file without updating the original.

While there’s never a perfect time to revisit backend software design for employees, many SMBs are already planning to make changes to their technologies. One study found that the organizations they surveyed were far more likely to adopt new technologies or migrate their existing systems to the cloud in 2023 than in the past. As more businesses continue to follow this trend and update their software or move to cloud-based technologies, the upcoming changes create a great opportunity for optimizing internal tools’ UX in the process.

Principles of Intuitive Design for Internal Tools

Standardization is one of the leading design principles for backend software. Layouts, colors, patterns, placements and shapes should be similar across employee-facing platforms to minimize the amount of onboarding and upkeep needed. Any new hire should be able to train on the fundamentals of one tool and readily apply it to others.

Another one of the most essential principles involves context awareness. Unlike consumers, employees will use internal tools for hours at a time — the average person spends over 6.5 hours on their screen daily. Relevant design decisions like adding dark mode or incorporating keyboard-friendly navigation are key.

Employees — especially those who work remotely with their setups — may access internal tools in unconventional ways. You must be prepared, whether they have a dual monitor setup or use a laptop. Consider how aspect ratio and display size affect text scaling, scrolling and button size.

Maintenance is another principle of intuitive backend design. Around 57% of developers state their company has at least one full-time employee dedicated to maintaining internal applications, meaning 43% do not. What happens when they quit? Do development operations fall into disrepair? Assign someone — or two people since redundancy is a lifesaver — to this role.

5 Tips for Making Internal Tools More Intuitive

Follow these tips to ensure you create a unified, optimized backend UX for employees:

  1. Don’t Design for the Sake of It

Overdesign has been the cause of death for many a good UI. You don’t need over-the-top animations or transitions for an intuitive, appealing UX. Your strategic use of colors, layouts and design elements is enough to make the tool attractive and enjoyable to use. Prioritize functionality above all else and allow aesthetics to come naturally to you as you progress.

  1. Track Backend-Specific Metrics

Setting and tracking a baseline enables you to address pain points as they emerge and optimize for usability. Track backend-specific metrics like productivity, mouse movement and click volume. Your goal should be to minimize the work developers must do before they can complete a task.

  1. Try to Accommodate Edge Cases

Your team will occasionally encounter unexpected situations. For example, what happens when they need to approve a request, but the person with authorization is out of office? That scenario is basic, but it gets the point across. Accounting for and accommodating edge cases during the initial design phase prevents operational hiccups later.

  1. Source Feedback From Users

When it comes to ease of use, feedback is everything. Real-world usability testing should be a core component of UX optimization because a live environment differs significantly from staging. Ask your team what they like and dislike about their internal tools’ UI, getting specifics on what they would change.

  1. Let Developers Request Features

As employees get used to the new UX, they will want additional features, options and shortcuts. Create a framework that lets them request these things, and incorporate the most popular. Minor personalization can be beneficial if you have multiple teams with their own codebases, technology stacks and release schedules.

The Bottom Line of Optimizing Backend UX

These design principles and tips can help you optimize your UX, ensuring backend employees can use internal tools effectively. Remember, big changes like these take time — do not feel concerned if your metrics seem to slide back initially. Eventually, if you make the right decisions, you should see gains.

7 Small But Vital Website Accessibility Features to Build Into Your Designs

Author: Eleanor Hecks Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

People of all ages, abilities and walks of life use the internet for conducting business, tracking finances and shopping. Adding a few small changes can make your site friendlier to users and help you comply with legal standards set by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and other regulations. Here are some simple changes even the smallest businesses can make today.

1. Dark Mode Toggle

The Nielsen Norman Group looked at dark mode, mobile usability and user preferences. Around one-third of respondents said they use dark mode and one-third use light and dark at various times.

Dark mode offers better clarity for people with visual impairments such as cataracts and can also reduce eye strain for those on screens much of the day. However, it can make things harder to read for others, such as those with certain types of color blindness. Giving users the choice of light or dark mode via a toggle is a great way to improve accessibility for people with all kinds of visual preferences.

2. Alt Text

Adding alternative text is an excellent habit website owners should get into. Those using screen readers won’t know what an image is if you don’t add alt tags, which should clearly describe what is in the photo.

Put yourself in the shoes of someone who is legally blind. What do they need to know about the photo to get the most out of the experience?

3. Language Availability

The global aspects of online shopping mean you may need to offer your site in more than one language to meet the needs of all your users. Failure to do so could mean missing out on a significant portion of your customer base, as 76% of customers are more likely to purchase a product if they can view information in their native language.

Offering an easy way for users to click a tab to read the text in another language can be a great way to break language barriers and make your content more accessible for all.

4. Keyboard Operation

Those with mobility issues may need to use a keyboard rather than a mobile device to access your website. In a time when mobile-first design is popular, remember to test the desktop version with a keyboard hooked up.

Users should be able to use the space bar and arrows to move from one spot on the page to the next. The enter key can help them select an interactive element.

5. Contrast

Around 90% of a user’s first impression comes from color choices. Having the right balance of contrast helps those with visual impairments view your page without strain. Someone with color blindness may have trouble deciphering between two blue shades but can see things clearly when you use blue and white with strong shade differences.

Contrast makes text more readable for everyone and can make a call to action (CTA) button pop. Grab user attention by surrounding the CTA with white space to make it stand out even more.

6. ARIA Landmarks

Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) are HTML codes that set a page structure. Screen readers can use the details to better navigate the order of elements on a page and tell users what section they are in.

7. Direct Language

In the early days of web development, some designers thought it would be cute to have themed pages and navigation. For example, a site about pirates might have an area called “booty” to indicate shopping. Unfortunately, indirect language makes it difficult for those with cognitive problems or secondary languages to understand what they’ll find when they click on the link.

It’s much better to use simple, clear directions so users know what they are navigating to. Stick with first- and second-person commands using active verbs, such as “Get Info on Garages,” or “Shop Now.” By doing so, you’ll avoid situations where people grow confused and bounce away to a competitor’s site.

Little Changes Make a Big Impact

Small fixes can make your site more accessible to those falling under ADA rules. It also shows your customers you care about their experience and are willing to add elements that help them navigate your site easily.

Test everything to ensure it works on various devices and with software that reads for them. A little extra function goes a long way toward an excellent user experience.

6 Legal Requirements to Keep in Mind When Designing Company Websites

Author: Eleanor Hecks Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

When designing websites for companies — particularly those with specific regulatory bodies — ensuring compliance is paramount. Whether operating in health care, finance or legal sectors, these businesses must handle a web of regulations and legalities to protect their users and themselves.

While website design considers general legal standards — such as data privacy laws and accessibility guidelines — certain industries are subject to additional ordinances that companies must adhere to.

1. ABA Compliance

For law firms and legal practitioners, adhering to the American Bar Association (ABA) guidelines is critical to consider when designing a website. The ABA sets a range of ethical rules that govern law practice, including advertising and communication with the public.

One concern is ensuring all information presented on a legal website is truthful and not misleading. This includes:

  • Clear disclosure of attorney qualifications.
  • No exaggeration of past successes.
  • Avoidance of creating unjustified expectations for potential clients.

Additionally, attorneys must clarify that any information provided does not constitute legal advice and an attorney-client relationship.

2. Disclaimers

Disclaimers help businesses communicate the limitations and scope of their product’s benefits. For instance, if the company is in the health foods and beverages industry, it must follow regulations set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Typically, disclaimers on these websites clarify that the products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases. They also often include statements that the FDA still needs to evaluate the claims made about the products.

This is especially crucial when the products contain ingredients marketed as having health benefits. Moreover, disclaimers should always advise customers to consult with a health care provider before making changes to their diet. Doing so will reduce legal liability and increase customer trust.

3. Labor Law Postings

Labor law postings are crucial for compliance — they keep employees informed of their rights and responsibilities under the law. Traditionally, you would see these notices displayed in a physical workplace. Yet, the labor market has shifted since the rise of remote work, so recent changes require new communication methods.

States across the U.S. are starting to implement labor law posting requirements for company sites. For example, Illinois employers must now provide four labor law notices to remote workers via the company’s website or intranet, while New York employers must provide digital versions of all labor law posters through either their website or email.

The postings should include information on minimum wage, equal pay, child labor and rights under the Wage Payment and Collection Act, among others. For businesses operating out of these states, ensuring these notices are easily accessible on their website is key to compliance.

4. HIPAA Compliance

Health websites that handle sensitive health information are subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements. HIPAA compliance is crucial for any website operated by health care providers, insurance companies and other entities involved in patient information management. This compliance ensures that protected health information (PHI) is confidential and secure.

The key aspects of HIPAA compliance for health websites include:

  • Secure transmission protocols
  • Health data security
  • Strict access controls

Additionally, HIPAA mandates that health websites have clear privacy policies detailing how patient information is collected, used and shared. These policies should also include procedures for obtaining patient consent before using or disclosing their information for non-treatment purposes.

5. Data Security Controls

In the financial industry, banking institutions are custodians of highly sensitive information. To guard this data against breaches, these companies must adhere to stringent regulatory frameworks such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Regulations like these mandate security measures to keep data encrypted and prevent unauthorized access. Approximately 62% of companies in the U.S. have already recognized this need and have started investing in cybersecurity to remain compliant. For example, financial institutions ensure they implement multi-factor authentication to verify user identities and reduce the risk of fraud.

6. HTTPS

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is essential for ensuring the safe transmission of data between the user’s browser and the website. Implementing it encrypts sensitive information, making it more difficult for data misuse.

E-commerce websites must have this system, especially since they deal with online transactions. Without it, unauthorized parties can access customers’ credit card information, personal details and login credentials.

The PCI DSS requires compliance for this. Otherwise, businesses exposed to security breaches are legally liable, so they must enable HTTPS on their websites.

Ensuring Compliance and Trust in Specialized Industries

Building websites for companies with legal needs requires a thorough understanding of industry-specific regulations. Regardless of the sector they operate in, it pays to take the time to research the laws and how to meet legal obligations. Additionally, the online world is constantly evolving, so staying informed about legal compliance is essential for long-term success and integrity.

5 Web Design Must-Haves When Building for a Client on a Budget

Author: Eleanor Hecks Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Web designers work with a wide range of clients with varied budgets. Startups and small businesses may need to keep costs down while utilizing their digital presence to attract more customers. Stay within a price range by considering must-haves for any website and sticking to some out-of-the-box solutions.

Example of How a Designer Might Keep Costs Low for Clients

The best way to understand how to keep costs low is to look at a mock scenario. Say a designer has a new client with an extremely tight budget. The client is an app developer bootstrapping their brand. To give them a professional website for less money, the designer encourages the client to go with a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress.

The brand can use a ready-made theme and customize it with a new logo and the language. The client can save the designer time and themselves more funds by coming up with their own copy that the designer simply plugs into the template.

As the business grows, they can customize colors, layout and content a bit more. In the early days, however, ready-made solutions can give them a presence on a shoestring.

Website Must Haves and Tips to Keep Costs Low

The United States government estimates 13 million more users started using the internet between 2021 and 2023. Thus, having a website presence is a must these days for business owners to reach new clients when they begin their search for a product or service like they offer. The quickest way to reach your target audience is online, but marketing can be costly.

A client with a low budget may not be able to afford custom content, added features or even a shopping cart. You can instead give them a single landing page and a few other elements to offer a professional edge and get the word out about their brand.

Here are the musts for a new website design and some ideas for giving your client an amazing design for less.

1. Create a Cohesive Theme

The first plan of attack needs to be a cohesive theme that repeats throughout the design. If you build a single page, it should look similar all the way to the bottom. For sites with multiple pages, each should have a similar layout and appearance.

Designers building a site on a CMS platform can go with a ready-made theme that instantly creates cohesion. When designing with HTML or PHP, create a template first and base every page off the same template whenever possible so they appear the same.

2. Plan for Future Upgrades

When starting small, the company will likely not have enough money for the additional features they may want to add in the future. For example, they may want future online shopping capabilities that aren’t in their budget yet.

There are many reasons for this, particularly related to economics — according to a 2023 Federal Reserve report, banks have tightened their standards for business lending, making loans less likely. Thus, many startups are bootstrapping their funding as they go along, raising money from private investors, working side jobs and reinvesting revenue into the business.

Startups can bootstrap their website by starting small and expanding when the owners can afford. Design a simple structure now while making it upgradable to add other features when the business is able.

3. Focus on the Logo

One thing that makes a business stand out and gives it a brand identity is the logo. If a client has extremely limited funds, focusing on a relevant logo design that will stand the test of time is a good investment.

A logo should be a fairly inexpensive design for most businesses and can be used immediately on social media pages, signage and a website. An otherwise plain website design becomes more interesting when the logo is fabulous.

4. Know the Audience

The aesthetics of the website must appeal to the target audience. A finance company serving retirees will need a different design than a clothing brand trying to appeal to millennials and Gen Zers.

Pay attention to current trends, such as how both millennials and Zoomers have embraced the nostalgia of Y2K aesthetics. The better you understand your client’s intended audience, the better the design will be.

5. Trust Factors

Most clients with an extremely tight budget will be startups. The owners are still trying to build brand reputation. Look for ways to ramp up the trust factors on the site so new visitors see they are a legitimate business and will be more willing to spend money with the company.

Some trust factors to add include contact information, About page and testimonials/reviews. The key is to show the business is an authority in their field and the user can get in touch when needed.

Communication Is Key

A low budget means less services and semi-customization options. Your new client may have looked at your portfolio and gotten the idea they’re getting a highly customized site for less money. Make sure you outline clearly what is and isn’t included for the price quote. Explain any added elements will result in additional fees. You may even want to highlight some sections to ensure the customer understands what you’ll do for the amount they’re paying.

Good communication and going a bit above and beyond can lead to a lifelong relationship. The new business will hopefully thrive and bring you along as their budget increases.

How Effective Are Single-Page Agency Websites in 2024?

Author: Eleanor Hecks Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Is a single-page website still a good solution for agencies in 2024? Businesses can make one-page sites effective if they are engaging and have the proper focus. Users may find them easier because everything they need is in a single location. Keeping visitors on the site when there are limited elements or they must scroll can be challenging. Fortunately, keeping users moving through the sales funnel is easy with a few rules of thumb.

1. Put Mobile Responsiveness First

Many companies now design sites for mobile first to ensure they function as well for smartphone users as desktop visitors. Mobile responsiveness ensures everyone has an excellent experience on your site. Images should scale to fit a smaller screen, and text must remain readable.

Forbes reported that the average person spends around four hours a day on their mobile devices. By comparison, they spend around an hour on their desktops. Many experts expect more people to use their small screens to get online in the future. It makes sense to focus on mobile usage for intuitive design.

2. Consider User Experience (UX) for Target Audience

Who is your target audience? Knowing their demographics can help you decide the best layout for a single-page site or if you should create multiple pages. You should also think about how difficult the audience is to reach. If you rely on search engine results pages to drive traffic to your site, you may want to reconsider the single-page website.

Multiple pages naturally give you more opportunities for better search engine optimization (SEO). Web browser crawlers look for keywords related to the person’s search. Although algorithms are much more sophisticated than before, you still limit your ability to attract traffic by limiting how many keywords you can fit on one page without seeming spammy.

3. Find the Right Structure

When using a single page, presentation matters more than ever. You must grab users’ attention and keep it until they convert into leads, all while making sure the page doesn’t become cluttered or too long.

Your agency website is basically a sales presentation. And you only have one page worth of content to convert your readers. So, it’s vital to make the most of the space by structuring the information on your site in the most compelling way possible. The layout should mimic the structure of a strong sales presentation, including a compelling beginning narrative, an engaging middle and a powerful closing CTA.

4. Add Interactive Elements

Check your bounce rates. Do people land on your page and immediately leave? Ideally, they’ll hang around, look over your page and then interact with your calls to action (CTAs). Keep them scrolling a single-page design by adding interactive elements throughout.

Offer a video that entertains and educates. Ask people to click on a button for more details. You can also add features such as animated arrows pointing down the page. Your CTAs should use strong language that commands attention. Use active verbs and short phrases. Button colors should contrast with the background to grab notice.

5. Stick to a Visual Hierarchy

Lay your site out in a way that makes sense to someone visiting it for the first time. A visual hierarchy shows users what information is most crucial. For example, you might have an H1 title and H2 headings to break up sections. You can use a particular font and typeface style for links and CTA buttons.

Remember that most people use an F-pattern when viewing a page. The most crucial information should go in the upper left-hand corner of the page. A few people use a zig-zag pattern. You should study heat maps and details for your website to be sure that the F-pattern design is the best way to lay out your page.

6. Place CTAs Strategically

Where you place your CTAs can be the difference between a page design that brings new customers and one where they bounce to a competitor’s site.

Many single-page agency sites offer a CTA at the top of the page so those who already know they want a consultation or service can immediately contact them. They also frequently place a CTA just above the fold and again at the bottom of the page.

You’ll have site visitors who fall into different categories of readiness. One might be in the information-gathering stage, while another is already at the decision stage. Add elements to your page for wherever they might be in their process so you reach different buyer personas.

Should You Create a Single-Page Site?

A single-page agency site can save money as it’s easier to design and maintain. Although you’ll run into some drawbacks with SEO and providing detailed information, you’ll benefit from getting right to the point. Consider the goal of the page and what you want users to do. With a clear focus and regular A/B testing, your one-page design can be as effective as a more complex website.

6 Essential UX Tips for Creating a High-Converting Mobile Payment Page

Author: Eleanor Hecks Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Converting mobile site visitors into customers requires careful planning, testing and development. The user experience (UX) can make or break your sales. Even if your desktop website is successful, you can still fail on the mobile front. Follow these high-converting mobile payment page UX tips to ensure your smartphone visitors can buy from you without missing a beat.

1. Find a Single Goal

One error many e-commerce sites make is trying to do too much on the checkout page. Once the user hits the final step of the buyer’s journey, you should have a singular objective — to complete the sale. Anything that distracts from that needs to be removed.

Cut unnecessary clutter, ensure all links work as intended and keep only the form fields needed to fulfill the order. Ask what would make checkout easier for users. Can you add payment options, for example?

2. Offer One-Click Checkout

Cornell research found around 70% of customers leave a site before paying. However, one-click buying increased consumer spending by 28.5% and encouraged shoppers to visit more frequently. Adding this option to your store can improve UX by reducing the time needed to purchase.

For example, users might click on a PayPal link and utilize already stored information rather than inputting their name, address and credit card information. They might feel more secure sharing these details with trusted third parties, like Square, PayPal, Apple or Google.

Some retailers offer their own registration with the promise of future one-click purchases. If storing information, ensure you follow best privacy practices and explain how you keep it secure. Use as few fields as possible to gather the initial data.

3. Take Security Seriously

People share their information when they trust you to secure it from hackers. As around 57% of Americans fear financial scams, it’s important to show you’re being proactive about their security. Show them you have an SSL certificate installed and share a privacy policy.

Include what data you collect, why, how you store it and the measures to keep information safe from hackers. Ask only for the information you must have to complete an order and conduct business efficiently.

4. Test for Responsiveness

Many companies design shopping carts for desktops and add mobile features as a secondary option. With so many people using their devices to access the internet, you must ensure your website functions for smartphone users.

The app server you choose can impact the responsiveness of your page. When someone pulls up the mobile app, the server processes their request, authenticates the user and grabs essential data.

Ensure your site loads fast. Mobile users often access a page when they have a few extra minutes. If your site bogs down or throws up blank pages, they’ll likely bounce away and may never return.

5. Rework Error Messages

Customers who do something unexpected might receive an error message from your site. One example would be someone needing to share their mailing address. If you set the form so it is a required field, the user gets an error message if the form field is empty.

The words you use to direct customers to complete the task correctly can make a difference in whether they fill in the required data or abandon their cart. Statista found that 17% of people abandoned their orders because a website had errors or crashed.

Make error messages succinct and descriptive so the user knows what to do next. Avoid confusion, as you’re more likely to lose a potential customer when they don’t understand the problem.

6. Offer Additional Payment Options

People have different experiences with online payment providers. If they once had an issue with a service, they’d be reluctant to use it again. Your best bet is to offer them options, such as PayPal, Stripe or manually inputting their credit card information.

Offer as many options as possible without driving yourself crazy by managing dozens of payment accounts.

Perfect Your Mobile Buyer’s Journey

More customers use handheld devices throughout all sales funnel stages. The easier it is for them to click and buy on your mobile payments page, the higher your conversion rates will be. Look at the site through the lens of a smartphone or tablet. Fix any issues that create errors or bottlenecks on your site. With some refinement, your mobile conversion rates may surpass your desktop ones.

6 Unique Considerations When Designing a Website for a Physical Retail Store

Author: Eleanor Hecks Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Does a brick-and-mortar store need a website? The short answer is yes. People often begin their search for local businesses online, read reviews, see store hours and collect other data before frequenting a physical establishment. 

Design a website to showcase the unique features of a physical store by considering these topics.

1. Focus on User Experiences

The goal of a website for a physical retail store is to drive foot traffic to a real-life location. If users have a poor experience on your site, they’re unlikely to visit your storefront. 

Your first concern should be creating a website that provides an excellent user experience (UX). However, you must also share what kind of UX the customer might have inside your store. Add an events page so potential shoppers can see upcoming happenings they might want to attend. Showcase photos of your store’s features that no others in your industry offer. 

A Statista report found that 32% of U.S. adults rely on reviews from other customers to gather data on a product. Allow shoppers to post reviews and testimonials singing your praises. Adding transparency through feedback allows visitors to trust your brand and shows people what their peers think.

2. List Location and Hours

Unless you plan to set up an e-commerce store, the goal of your website should be to drive foot traffic to your brick-and-mortar shop. Some ways you can engage site visitors and encourage them to visit include:

  • Set up an interactive map showing your locations.
  • Keep mobile convenience in mind, such as a single click of a phone icon to call the store.
  • List what days and times your store is open. Be sure to update the page for special events, holidays and other changes. 

Update your Google Business and Facebook page to match your website so everything is consistent. 

3. Offer a Virtual Tour

Put yourself in the shoes of an average shopper. Let’s say her name is Lauren, and she is a working mother of twins and a 10-month-old baby. She has exactly 15 minutes after work to pop in and buy the item she saw on your website before picking the baby up from day care, getting the twins off the school bus and starting dinner for the family.

She wants to know the layout of your store so she can walk in, grab her item, check out and be on her way in under a quarter of an hour. Offering a virtual tour on your site lets her browse for the item she wants. It’s a good idea to provide an inventory-checking tool so she can ensure it is currently available. Lauren can see the store’s layout in advance, saving her minutes when she arrives. 

4. Focus on Omnichannel Experiences

Consumers still make around 79% of purchases in physical stores. While some people shop for more items online than in the past, they want to see and touch before they buy. They also like the convenience of instantly purchasing something at a local retailer rather than waiting for it to arrive via a delivery service. 

Think through how you can create an omnichannel experience for users. For example, John Doe enters your clothing store and buys a shirt for an upcoming event. When he gets home, he realizes two buttons are missing near the bottom. He should be able to call your store, contact you through your website or chat on social media to find a solution.

No matter how he contacts the business, the response and policies should be the same. He should only have to state his concern once rather than repeating it at each touchpoint. You may need to install customer relationship management software to ensure he has the best experience possible. 

5. Create Offline Only Offers

Use your website to drive traffic to your store by creating offline-only specials. Perhaps you sell some items via your site’s digital storefront. Reserve some of the most popular ones for in-store purchases. New arrivals and seasonal deals make natural choices for offline specials. 

If you plan to run an e-commerce store, offer a few online-only offers. Allow customers to pick up the item in the physical location to avoid shipping costs. You can also expand your sales by letting brick-and-mortar customers order an out-of-stock item while in the store and shipping it to them.

Measuring a successful conversion is challenging when people conduct research online for local businesses. Offer codes they can grab on the website to see how many of your first-time buyers start online. 

6. Optimize Local SEO

Think With Google’s 2024 Retail Guide indicates that the buyer journey is becoming more complex. Around 60% of consumers now perform six or more actions before reaching the decision stage. Many of their searches start on websites and by reading reviews. 

It’s wise to optimize your website for local SEO by using phrases such as “near city, state.” You’ll need to dig into some keyword research to determine what keywords people use and how best to meet their intent through your content. 

Return on Investment (ROI) Matters

It can be complex to determine how beneficial an online presence is for brick-and-mortar stores. Since every dollar counts, ROI is crucial to ongoing success. Measuring results requires forward thinking. You must consider brand image and awareness as part of ongoing business costs.

Your website should bring in new people and attract reviews and repeat visits from current customers. How well you promote the site depends on your marketing efforts and consistently improving consumer engagement.

How to Shift from Etsy to a Standalone Site as an Emerging eCommerce Entrepreneur

Author: Eleanor Hecks Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

You started an online store on Etsy and spent time growing an audience and a list of repeat customers. Now, you should probably shift your frequent clients to an independent platform, where you maintain control.

However, moving from Etsy to a standalone site requires some work and an understanding of the differences. Your audience may also have some preferences about where they shop. Here are the things to keep in mind as you make the transition.

1. Set Goals

Consider the specific goals you want to achieve by opening a separate site. Some reasons include:

  • Expanding to customers outside a single platform
  • Maintaining complete control over your business
  • Preparing for any potential changes by Etsy that might negatively impact your business
  • Gaining more customization options

Setting up a dedicated site costs money. By setting specific goals that you keep in mind, you can keep the new website within your budget while ensuring your site meets your unique needs.

2. Prepare for Growth

As your business grows, you may have times when traffic spikes — for example, research indicates that around 66% of people will increase their online shopping during the holidays. Pay attention to when your busiest seasons are and when you sell the most. Make sure your new website can handle the increased bandwidth during those times.

  • Ask about bandwidth rules and charges for going over
  • Consider what new products might pay your website costs and bring more sales
  • Know your audience and where to teach them

Ideally, you’ll launch new marketing campaigns alongside your new standalone site.

3. Secure Domain Name

Whether you use a dedicated server or put your store on a platform such as Squarespace, Wix or Shopify, you’ll need a domain name to send customers to. For e-commerce sites in the U.S., a .com domain is your best bet. People recognize it as a commercial site and are comfortable with the extension.

  • Find a reasonable domain name registrar. You can use GoDaddy or WordPress Domains, for example. Be sure they are reputable, as you don’t want to lose your domain.
  • Search for a name yet to be used to brand your store.
  • Find one that is easy to spell and remember. The harder you make the name, the more likely someone will mess up typing it and never make it to your storefront.

Most registrars ask where to point the name. For now, secure the domain. You can worry about fixing nameservers later. The website hosting provider will likely have instructions on how to make the changes easily when you’re ready.

4. Choose the Right Platform

E-commerce generates around $5.7 trillion per year and is growing. Where you place your standalone website may be as important as its name. You want a reliable hosting provider with high uptime statistics.

If designing the site yourself, you need something easy to use or that your web designer understands. While not an exhaustive list, some options include:

  • Shopify
  • Wix
  • Squarespace
  • WordPress hosting through any web host provider
  • Zyro

For the most control, go with a shared hosting plan. You can upgrade to a dedicated hosting plan as you grow. For a drag-and-drop solution, choose a platform geared toward online sellers.

5. Migrate Your Store

Once you set up your site, start migrating products to your new store. The fastest way to migrate information is to download your store’s data and upload it to the new platform. Each will have a different process. To download a CSV file from Etsy:

  • Log in to your store account and go to “Store Manager.”
  • Navigate to Settings > Options > Download Data.
  • Indicate you want a CSV file.

The file will contain information on your active listings, which you can upload to your new platform. Double-check all information to ensure everything copied correctly.

Should You Leave Your Etsy Store Up?

Since Etsy charges per listing, whether your item sells or not, you may wonder if you should keep your Etsy store even after creating a new website. It depends. Look at where your traffic comes from. If most of the purchases are from your private marketing and mailing list, you could delete your listings. However, if the majority of your traffic comes from Etsy searches, you will want to leave your store active until your website sales surpass your Etsy sales.

You can also list items in multiple places, including Etsy, eBay and Mercari, as well as on your website. As long as you make sales and profit, you’ll benefit from each platform’s marketing.

How Designers Can Craft Accessible Web Experiences for an Audience of Older Adults

Author: Eleanor Hecks Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Crafting websites tailored to the needs of older adults requires some knowledge of the audience’s potential conditions and preferences. Brands catering to seniors or wanting to add more of them to the customer base can attract new customers by tweaking their designs.

If you sell products aimed at older adults, such as hearing aids or scooters, checking your site’s accessibility is a must. Banks, grocery stores and medical offices must cater to several generations. Ensuring everyone has an excellent user experience (UX) is crucial to success.

Potential Accessibility Issues for Seniors

According to the latest Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, older people are more likely to have a disability–around 46% of those over 75 report at least one condition. The most common issues include mobility and cognition. However, conditions can also include vision and hearing impairments.

As people age, they may deal with arthritis and vision issues, leading to struggles, particularly when using a small screen device. Tapping a tiny link or button may be impossible for someone with low manual dexterity.

Ways to Improve a Website Experience for Older Adults

Many of the principles designers use for excellent UX apply to creating a positive design for older adults. Adding a checklist of items to consider goes a long way toward keeping your site friendly to multiple age groups.

1. Increase Sizes

Since some seniors struggle with dexterity, arthritis and pain, making call to action (CTA) buttons larger can improve their interaction with your page.

Statista estimates that there are 311.36 million U.S. mobile internet users in 2024, with a projected increase to 333.18 by 2029. Some older adults only access websites via their smartphones. Imagine being in their shoes, trying to tap on a tiny little link when they struggle to use their hands already.

Going slightly larger positively impacts anyone with dexterity issues who wishes to access your site from a mobile device. Larger sizes also help those with visual struggles.

2. Improve Contrast

Older adults may find their vision isn’t as crisp as it once was. Some suffer from macular degeneration or cataracts. As people age, they often need readers for close-up text, too. Some won’t bother with the glasses and will struggle as text runs together.

One thing that helps older adults is using high contrast in your design. If your background is white, the text should be black or navy blue. Use big fonts that are clear and easy to decipher. Avoid scripts and decorative fonts whenever possible.

3. Tweak the Navigation

Simplify the navigation on your site. While Generation Z has grown up around technology and doesn’t remember a time without digital information, baby boomers grew up without computers. Many are quite tech-savvy, but they could struggle if you start moving navigation around or making elements challenging to find.

Excellent navigation benefits all your users, so spending time adding some breadcrumbs and making popular pages easy to find is worthwhile. Make your logo clickable so the user can easily return to the home page.

4. Perfect Visuals

Take the time to fix any issues with visuals. Even photos should have some contrast so they are easy to read. Add alt tags for those using screen readers.

As nearly two-thirds of readers still opt for physical written copies of content such as books when available versus digital content, some seniors may prefer to print pages to read or save for later. Ensure you have crisp displays that translate well to print, as well as an option to print content easily available.

If you have a text overlay on an image, follow best practices and use a serif or sans serif font, make it big and ensure it contrasts with the background.

5. Make Settings Adjustable

Make your design customizable to meet the needs of users from different generations. Code the option for them to change the text color, font size or lighting. You may need to add a video that shows how they can adjust things to suit their needs.

If you’re uncertain how to create personalized options, grab a code from a web design tool and insert it in your files.

6. Implement Error Correction

Look at your error correction models. Make forms as simple as possible to clarify which step to take next.

Your error messages should offer feedback to correct user mistakes. Imagine you want only their first name and email, but they fail to provide an extension on the email, rendering the information useless.

Offer a reminder that an email looks like name@provider.com and show them how to correct the mistake. You will have to spend a little more time coding your forms, but the result will be a senior-friendly form that is more enjoyable for those with less experience filling in digital forms.

Test With Your Users

Including all ages in your designs requires planning and persistence. Take the time to test out any design changes with your users. Gather a team of customers who will give honest feedback about what they like and what needs improvement. Over time, your design will become more accessible to older adults, and you’ll gain higher conversion rates and happier clients.

WordPress vs. Drupal: Which Is the Best Fit for Your Web Project?

Author: Eleanor Hecks Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Choosing the right content management system (CMS) is crucial for your website project. It impacts your site’s functionality, design and usability. To understand whether WordPress or Drupal is suitable for your site project, you must know their differences. Once you know how each CMS functions under various conditions, you can decide which one fits your needs best.

1. Scalability

When choosing between WordPress and Drupal, knowing their scalability is essential for ensuring your website can grow alongside your business needs.

WordPress

WordPress is well-known for its scalability. It powers small blogs and large enterprises alike. With so many plugins and themes, WordPress can easily handle increased traffic and content.

However, achieving optimal performance at scale often requires additional resources and optimizations. These would include tasks such as caching plugins, a good hosting service and a content delivery network.

Drupal

Drupal was already built with scalability in mind. It is highly flexible and can support large websites with traffic surges and extensive databases. Additionally, it offers advanced caching features and handles large-scale projects more efficiently than WordPress.

Winner: Drupal

Both CMSs can scale to meet the demands of growing websites. However, Drupal wins in handling large, complex projects. If you need enterprise-level scalability, it is often the better choice. Yet, with its ample plugin support, WordPress makes a strong contender for smaller sites.

2. Security

With cybercrime affecting approximately 32% of businesses annually and costing up to $6 trillion worldwide, security is a critical factor in choosing a CMS.

WordPress

WordPress is a frequent target for cyberattacks because 64.3% of websites worldwide use it as a CMS. However, security can be easy to handle by making regular updates and installing security plugins. Since it has a large community, you can also ensure quick identification and patching of vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, users must stay on top of best security practices to maintain a safe site.

Drupal

Drupal has a security team, making it more tightly controlled with potential threats. The CMS also has built-in security measures and rigorous coding standards government and corporate websites prefer.

Winner: Drupal

WordPress and Drupal offer strong security capabilities, but Drupal’s protocols and dedicated team give it an edge. However, any CMS can have security flaws, so proper management is essential to fixing vulnerabilities.

3. Ease of Use

One reason you may choose a CMS over the other is your technical expertise. Knowing how each affects the efficiency and flexibility of your development process helps you decide which CMS is better for your project needs.

WordPress

Many developers choose WordPress for its ease of setup and use. Its extensive documentation, large community, and various plugins and themes make development straightforward. Developers can get started quickly and customize websites with minimal coding. However, advanced customizations require in-depth knowledge of PHP, CSS and HTML.

Drupal

Drupal is more complex and has a steeper learning curve than WordPress. While it offers more flexibility and control, it can overwhelm beginners. Drupal’s modular approach allows developers to build highly customizable solutions, but it provides a deeper understanding of its architecture and coding practices.

Winner: WordPress

WordPress is the clear winner for ease of use and quicker setups. On the other hand, Drupal is more suitable if you are comfortable with greater complexity and need more control over your projects.

4. Website Integrations

A CMS should be able to connect with various tools and services to enhance functionality seamlessly.

WordPress

WordPress has over 59,000 plugins and numerous themes, allowing for integration with multiple third-party tools and services. From e-commerce to marketing automation, WordPress offers plugins for practically anything you need. Its REST API also enables further custom integrations, making it highly adaptable.

Drupal

Drupal also supports many integrations with third-party sites and tools. Its APIs allow connections to various systems, including CRM, ERP and marketing automation platforms. With its openness and level of customization, it makes a strong choice for intricate projects.

Winner: WordPress

WordPress and Drupal have strong integrations, but WordPress is more user-friendly. Therefore, WordPress is ideal if you desire easier implementation.

Making a Choice for Your Website Project

Choosing between WordPress and Drupal depends on your needs. Many developers use WordPress because of its ease of use and overall functionalities. However, if you need a CMS with more advanced customization and traffic scalability, consider using Drupal for your project.