The Real Secret to Building User-Friendly Websites

When it comes to designing websites, many believe that beautiful design is everything. I mean, who doesn’t love a stunning website? I used to think the same way—maybe you do too. 😂

But here’s the twist: Is beauty really everything?

Ans → Nope. Stick with me, and I’ll change your perspective. Let’s break it down and understand why user experience (UX) matters more than just a pretty user interface (UI).

Here’s the truth: Only noobs focus solely on beauty. Professionals? They focus on functionality, purpose, and user-friendliness.

The Myth of Beautiful Websites

You’ve probably seen those stunning designs on platforms like Dribbble, Behance. Some even win awards! But here’s the reality check: Design is not art. Design solves problems. It has a purpose. It’s objective. A website doesn’t have to look like a masterpiece; it just has to work.

If you’re building a website to impress anyone or win a design award, go ahead—make it as beautiful as you can. But if your goal is to generate traffic, sales, or subscriptions, you need a functional website that serves that specific purpose.

Let’s look at some real-world examples:

• Google: Simple, fast, and gets you the info you need in seconds.

• Amazon: Helps you find products, read reviews, and checkout faster than you can say “Prime delivery.”

• YouTube: Keeps you hooked with video recommendations and easy navigation.

Do these websites look beautiful? Not really. But they serve their purpose flawlessly. That’s the real key.

Why Big Companies Don’t Build Beautiful Websites

You might wonder: Big companies like Amazon, Google, and Facebook can afford the best designers and developers. So why are their websites so simple and sometimes even boring?

Here’s the kicker: They do hire the best talent, but their priority isn’t beauty—it’s profitability. Designers in these companies focus on metrics like user engagement, conversion rates, and sales. The flashy designs you see on Dribbble? Those are often personal projects. If companies implemented those designs, they’d lose money, and the designers would lose their jobs. 😂 (common sense)

The Problem with Beautiful Websites

Beautiful websites often come with big drawbacks:

1. Slow Loading Times: Too many images, animations, and fluff can slow down the website. like https://huly.io/

2. Poor Responsiveness: They often don’t adapt well to different screen sizes, making them hard to use on mobile devices.

3. Complex Navigation: Users get frustrated when they can’t find what they’re looking for quickly.

In short, beautiful websites often result in bad user experience (UX), and that’s the last thing you want.

What Should You Focus On? Build a User-Friendly Website

The key to a successful website lies in user-friendliness. A website stands on five pillars:

1. Layout

2. Typography

3. Colors

4. Images

5. Content

Let’s break these down:

1. Layout: The Foundation of User Experience

The layout is the first thing users notice. It’s the overall structure of your website. It’s not about beauty—it’s about being user-friendly. Think in terms of rows and columns to ensure your website adapts to different screen sizes. Tools like CSS Flexbox make this process easier.

2. Typography: Keep It Simple and Readable

Typography is just a fancy way of saying fonts. Stick to clean, easy-to-read fonts and avoid using too many different ones. Use a type scale to determine font sizes for headings, subheadings, and body text. Remember, consistency is key.

3. Colors: Less Is More

Too many colors can make your website look messy. Stick to a simple color palette—black, white, and one accent color—to keep things clean and professional. Use the accent color sparingly for buttons, icons, and other interactive elements.

4. Images: Quality Over Quantity

Images can make your website more engaging, but they can also slow it down. Use optimized, high-quality images that complement your content. Avoid filling your website with random images just for the sake of it.

5. Content: The King of Your Website

At the end of the day, content is everything. Even if your website isn’t the most beautiful, great content will keep users coming back. Whether you’re running a blog, an e-commerce site, or a course platform, focus on delivering value through your content.

Amazon Example: UX Over Beauty

Amazon’s website isn’t beautiful—it’s cluttered and messy. But it’s designed for functionality, not looks. Users can quickly find products, read reviews, and make purchases. That’s why it’s successful. The lesson? Don’t judge a website by its looks. High traffic doesn’t mean great design—brand presence and functionality matter more.

Craigslist Example: Content Is King

Craigslist’s design is ugly, but it’s popular because it serves a purpose. People visit for listings, not beauty. This proves content is king. Valuable content keeps users coming back, even if the design isn’t impressive.

The Balance Between UX and UI

While UX is crucial, don’t ignore UI. A good-looking website enhances user experience, but only if it’s functional. For example:

• A local business website may not need stunning design.

• A high-end brand might benefit from a beautiful UI to establish its image.

Balance is key. Focus on functionality first, then add beauty where it enhances the experience.

Final Thoughts: Build for Users, Not for Awards

Here’s the bottom line: Only noobs build beautiful websites. Professionals build user-friendly websites that focus on content and users. Your website doesn’t have to win design awards; it just has to serve its purpose.

Remember, building a website is a trial-and-error process. Your first version won’t be perfect, and neither will your tenth. But with continuous improvement and user feedback, you can create a website that not only looks good but also works well.

So, the next time you’re designing a website, ask yourself: Why am I building this? Focus on your users, deliver great content, and keep things simple. That’s the real secret to building a successful website.

Key Takeaways:

1. Design solves problems, it’s not art.

2. Focus on UX first, then UI.

3. Content is king—deliver value to your users.

4. Beautiful websites often sacrifice functionality.

5. Build for users, not for awards.