User experience (UX) focuses on having a deep understanding of users, what they need, what they value, their abilities, and also their limitations. It also takes into account the business goals and objectives of the group managing the project. UX best practices promote improving the quality of the user’s interaction with and perceptions of your product and any related services.

One of the pioneers of the UX field, Jakob Nielsen gave a very simple definition and I think it captures everything you need to know about User Experience design, He said

“ UX is people, It’s not technology, its not really about computers, it’s about people”

Core factors that influence a great UX design

At the core of UX is ensuring that users find value in what you are providing to them. Peter Morville represents this through his User Experience Honeycomb

Peter Morville’s Honeycomb illustrates that in order for there to be a meaningful and valuable user experience, The experience (which can be a digital product, actual product, or a service) must be:

• Useful - Must be original and fulfill a need.
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• Usable - The site must be easy to use
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• Desirable - images, identity, brand, and other design elements are used to evoke emotion and appreciation
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• Findable - Needs to be navigable and locatable onsite and offsite
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• Accessible - Needs to be accessible to everyone including the disabled.
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• Credible - Users must trust and believe in the experience created.
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What are the benefits of UX design?

Ranks top on search engines

Sites with great UX are ranked higher on Google search because they are easy to find online. For instance, I designed a website for Onastories with a great user experience, It ranks top on “Storytelling in Tanzania”. A client sent me this picture below with excitement

Improves life

Great UX makes it easy for customers to decide. After a deep understanding of the user or customer, the experience will be straightforward — No unnecessary choices and information.

Maximize usage

67% of the increase in visitors is found after improving UX for the site. If it is easy to find, easy to use, increase values in people’s lives — people will cognitively incorporate that experience into their livelihood i.e Instagram

Increases sales

If the site is easy to find, easy to use and addictive then sales will be seamless.