The importance of website design cannot be stressed enough, especially when dealing with fast-paced consumers. Your layout, visuals, and navigation must be on-point to establish your online presence and encourage repeat customers.

It’s important that you follow digital design best practices and put your best foot forward to avoid any hitches. But when the time comes that your numbers aren’t what they used to be, what should you do?

The answer is simple: go for a website redesign.

Revamping your pages can do wonders for your brand, be it in terms of SEO, conversions, and overall website health and performance. 

The crucial step is knowing when to say goodbye to your old code and design. Overhauling what you’ve previously built is a big decision, and it would require a significant investment. Before looking up new pegs and color palettes, consider these 10 signs your website is due for a new look:

1. It’s no longer aligned with your business goals

Business goals evolve as your brand grows over time. Perhaps after gaining brand trust and a good following, you’d like to move on to expanding your products and services. Or maybe you’d want to reach out to a new demographic.

When your business goals are significantly different from when you first launched your website, it’s time to consider a website redesign. Your web pages should always work towards your objectives. Otherwise, you’ll be climbing an uphill battle trying to accomplish them.

Restructuring your homepage and navigation bar helps highlight current offerings and introduce new value propositions. Even simple improvements in your visuals like adding the right images and illustrations can draw in your target audience.

2. It loads slowly

Slow site speed is notorious for prompting users to exit without further engagement.  A study in 2019 showed that a decrease in site speed by just one-tenth of a second pulled down conversion rates by as much as 10%. Google Search also penalizes slow websites by bumping down their ranking in favor of faster domains.

The reason for slow loading times is varied. It could be because of outdated plug-ins, malware, unoptimized graphics, and a faulty web server, among others. If you’ve addressed these problems and see no improvement, it’s time to move on to an upgraded platform.

Aside from addressing issues with site speed, a website redesign allows you to leverage new technologies that may not have been compatible with your old site.

3. It’s not mobile-friendly

The majority of global website traffic comes from mobile users. In the United States, 52.59% of web visits are made through mobile accounts.

Mobile dominance means there’s no excuse for running platforms that are unoptimized for smartphones and tablets. Not only do users hate them, but so do search engines. 

Google Search Console offers a Mobile-Friendly Test to check how well your website performs on mobile devices. Low scores call for immediate action, especially if you own an eCommerce website. Implement a responsive layout and optimize your menus to ensure the best user experience.

4. Your pages aren’t ranking well

How often do you go beyond the first page of SERPs before deciding on what to click? If you answered rarely, you’re not alone. The average web user sticks to the first five results search engines provide. This means that if your pages don’t rank high enough, they’re essentially invisible.

On-page search engine optimization (SEO) dictates website rankings. Title tags, meta descriptions, internal links, and optimized images are examples of basic on-page SEO signals. While doing a redesign, you can create a better internal link structure and remove old links that no longer serve their purpose.

Improving your website’s overall UX/UI design is also a big plus for SEO and will shoot up your rankings in the long run.

5. Your bounce rate is too high

A high bounce rate is one of the best telltale signs of needing a website redesign. You can view your bounce rate on Google Analytics. On average, most websites have bounce rates between 41% to 55%. The optimal bounce rate is around 26% to 40%.

Although there are valid explanations for high bounce rates, if the metric is around 56% to 70%, it’s usually an indicator that something needs fixing. What determines bounce rates is user experience. Poor website navigation and unappealing design choices turn users off and push them away from your site.

When professionals do a website redesign, they identify where your current layout falls short and address pain points using UX/UI design principles. A good web design and development team knows how to simplify navigation menus, craft engaging web pages, and future-proof your platform for years to come.

6. It looks outdated

Modern websites look very different from what web pages used to be in the 90s and early 2000s. Flashy animations, walls of text, and table-based designs ruled the web for many years until CSS and interactive content were introduced.

Today, a lot of platforms sport minimalistic layouts with focal visual elements. Infinite scrolling and a mobile-first approach are also very prominent in our current context. Given that most of us visit multiple websites a day, it’s easy to spot outdated designs.

This is a problem because obviously old-looking websites are perceived as less credible and hard to use. So a fresh look means improved brand trust and better sales. 

7. It’s hard to navigate

Website navigation affects every aspect of user experience. It’s involved in every task and interaction a visitor does to explore your website and engage with your brand. Most users don’t have the patience to spare more than a few minutes to figure out how to move around a digital platform.

Before even landing on your website, consumers already have set standards and expectations. For example, the majority of visitors immediately look for a navigation menu either on top of the web page or as a closable side navigation bar. If these expectations are not met, it could confuse users and force them to click away.

Optimizing website navigation is part of a large-scale redesign. The point of which is to streamline navigation options so that users can find what they’re looking for quickly and effortlessly, resulting in an enjoyable online experience.

8. Bugs appear frequently

Another sure giveaway that it’s time for a website redesign is the increased need to troubleshoot and address bugs. 

Technical problems may be the result of plug-ins and extensions that are no longer updated by their developers. Older websites also suffer from compatibility issues and functionality bugs when they aren’t regularly maintained.

Spending hours going through error messages and resolving issues non-stop exhausts more resources than it returns. If you find yourself waking up to an inbox full of alerts daily, then it’s best to wipe the slate clean. Have a web development agency write a robust code and eliminate other causes of friction along the way.

9. It’s challenging to manage your content

Web technologies have advanced well enough to make a lot of our tasks easier to perform. For example, updating web content used to require website managers to learn how to code. But thanks to Content Management Systems (CMS), it’s already a thing of the past, at least ideally.

If you still need to do it the old fashion way, then your website is due for an upgrade. Consumers and search engines love fresh content, so having a website that only takes minutes to update is a huge advantage.

10. It’s not converting well

Last but not least is low conversion rates. Failing to entice visitors to complete the desired action, like signing up for your newsletter or checking out their cart, is a sign of an ineffective web design.

The problem could be with your web forms, the lack of social proof, or just an underwhelming user experience overall. These factors prevent visitors from feeling comfortable providing their personal information and doing business with your brand.

Again, small- and large-scale enhancements help gain their trust and eventually make them loyal customers. 

Hire a Professional Team of Web Developers and Designers

Outsource your website redesign project to an experienced team of web developers and designers. We customize websites to fit your needs and connect you with your target audience. Contact DevWerkz Web Design and Development today.

Website navigation is something most users probably don’t even think about until they have an awful experience.

According to Yoast, difficult website navigation is one of the three main reasons behind high bounce rates. It also negatively impacts conversion rates and SEO. 

What is website navigation?

Website navigation is what users do to explore your online platform. Sidebars, header menus, footers, and quick links are examples of website navigation elements. These allow consumers to move from one web page to another, guiding their search and providing relevant information.

Ideally, your visitors should be able to find what they’re looking for effortlessly. Intuitive websites encourage people to stay on your portal and read through content⁠—even convert. On the other hand, confusing navigation designs prompt users to exit and hurt your brand.

Website navigation is also important in search engine optimization. Organized websites help web crawlers do their job more efficiently, increasing your chances of appearing on top of search engine results pages. 

How to Improve Website Navigation

Given how crucial website navigation is to boosting conversion rates and sales, it’s imperative to keep it streamlined and spotless. You can improve your website navigation by following our tips below.

1. Create a sitemap

A sitemap is a list of every page found on your website. It reflects the overall structure of your platform. There are two main types of sitemaps: XML and HTML. 

An XML sitemap is given to search engines to ensure that every page is accounted for during website indexing.  It is especially useful for large websites that have over 500 web pages. 

An HTML sitemap is made for website visitors. It is essentially a clickable list of web pages that users can pull up if needed.

Both sitemaps are essential to website navigation. While some argue that HTML sitemaps are obsolete, they still serve many purposes. A good sitemap acts as the blueprint of your website. It allows you to identify old pages and prioritize which ones should appear front and center. 

As your website grows and more web pages are published, XML and HTML sitemaps keep it organized and easy to navigate.

2. Be consistent

The majority of modern websites follow what is called Global Website Navigation. Its popularity is thanks to its simple design, which uses the same menu format across all web pages. As a result, users are less likely to lose their bearings regardless of where they are on your website.

If you’re using a global header menu, it’s practical to make it accessible at all times, meaning it should remain visible on screen as users scroll down.

Global menus are best paired with Local Website Navigation or the use of internal links integrated into web content. This type of website navigation makes the experience feel more natural and allows users to discover other pages that are not included in your main menu.

3. Follow standard design principles

Exposure to hundreds of websites created certain expectations for online platforms. Consumers are used to interacting with specific types of UX/UI elements, so much so that significant deviations from these standards confuse them. 

Follow established website navigation principles even when the goal is to set yourself apart from competitors. Use icons and layouts that are familiar to users so that there is no guesswork involved during their visits. Concerning UX/UI, usability always takes precedence over creativity. 

4. Use descriptive labels

The best way to communicate is to be explicit. You want users to know what options they have available and exactly what’s in store for them when they click on a link. To achieve this, you need to write descriptive labels and titles. 

Swapping general labels for specific keywords and keyphrases makes web navigation an easier task. It also benefits SEO as it helps you rank for niche searches. 

Take note, however, that using generic navigation titles isn’t a bad thing. For larger websites and brands with expansive catalogs, it makes sense to use broad categories first before moving on to more precise labels. What’s more important is they are clear and easily understood by your target audience.

5. Use a different font style for hyperlinks

As common as it is to use internal links and anchor text, a lot of websites make the mistake of not distinguishing them from non-interactive elements. Internal links embedded on web copies work great to increase pages per session but if users can’t tell they’re there, then they can’t serve that purpose.

Making hypertext obvious is easy. You can use a different font style or change the color of your anchor texts. You can also opt to underline them or make them bold. These little tweaks make a huge difference in improving site navigation.

6. Organize your navigation bar

One of the first things people see or look for on your website is your navigation menu. As such, it greatly contributes to first impressions and conversion rates.

When deciding what to put on your navigation bar, consider the 15-second rule. A study by Chartbeat revealed that 55% of visitors bounce off a page after 15 seconds of failing to generate interest. This implies that we must provide users with the information they need within that timeframe, including good website navigation.

Be thoughtful when deciding what to put on your navigation bar. Putting too many or too few links makes it appear unrefined and ultimately unhelpful. Think of what your visitors need and what you want to highlight.

You can add sub-menus to categorize links under main headings but avoid using drop-down menus. They perform poorly on usability studies and cause users to skip important web pages, harming SEO.  

7. Add a search feature

The overarching goal of website navigation design is to make site searches as frictionless as possible. And the best way to save users’ time and effort is by adding a search bar. 

Search bars are simple yet powerful tools that help consumers accomplish tasks faster. Rather than clicking multiple links to get to a specific product page, visitors can simply type in keywords and leave with a positive user experience.

Make sure that your search feature is visible and enabled with auto-complete. Additionally, program your search bar such that it tolerates typographical errors and pulls up the best possible results.

8. Optimize your footer menu

Complex navigation hierarchies lead to user fatigue. Even when your navigation bar is well-organized, sometimes it gets too tedious to expand submenus upon submenus over and over.

Mega footers offer a solution to this problem. They provide the links to all of your important and frequently visited web pages to ease navigation. With mega footers, users have a bird’s-eye view of all that your website has to offer in one place.

You can also take advantage of footers by adding target keywords to improve your Google Search rankings. What’s more, adding your location and contact details will help with your local SEO.

9. Use color and white space

The correct use of color and white space is something all UX/UI designers should master. In website navigation, color can be used to make interactive elements more conspicuous and direct users’ attention to the next steps towards conversion.

Choose colors that contrast your background colors nicely to make it clear where navigation tools start and end. Also, use white spaces to let your design breathe and prevent overloading your visitors with visual stimuli.

10. Apply responsive web design

Responsive web design is expected for all online platforms, especially eCommerce websites. Remember that mobile users have different needs than visitors browsing on their desktops. 

Simplify your web layout and navigation bar for mobile sites to improve user experience. Additionally, consider replacing hypertexts with buttons to make them easier to tap and read.

Final reminders

Once you’re happy with your design, don’t forget to run A/B tests. Collect data and see if there are any areas you could still improve or omit. 

Again, web navigation boils down to helping your users achieve what they want from your website. The less hoops they need to jump through to buy a product or check your price listing, the more likely they’ll swipe their card and stay loyal customers.

Optimize Your Website with DevWerkz

Outsource your web optimization needs to a team of professional web developers and designers. At DevWerkz, we offer a variety of services from website redesign to website maintenance. Contact us today.

Touchscreens became more popular as companies released handheld devices. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) were extremely popular in the business world, but it wasn’t until Apple introduced the iPhone did the technology truly explode.

Today, touchscreen devices are everywhere, fueling the shift from desktop surfing to mobile use. In this blog, we’ll go through 7 ways you can improve your online platform for smartphones and tablets to edge out the competition with a better UX/UI design. 

1. Use a responsive design

First and foremost, designing for touchscreen devices calls for a responsive web design. Smartphones and tablets come in a variety of sizes. Your website or web app should look good and be easy to navigate on all of them.

Test your platform on different types of gadgets and ensure that your layout renders and functions well on portrait and landscape.

2. Enlarge touch elements

Although stylus pens are having a comeback, most touchscreen devices still rely on finger touch for navigation. Compared to a cursor on a screen, finger touch is less accurate and harder to pull off if you don’t know what you’re doing.

When designing mobile pages, avoid fitting too many elements into the viewport. This will make your design crowded and compromise the size of buttons, links, and others.

Target touch elements must be large enough for users to interact with effortlessly. Meaning, they should be able to accommodate the size of an average finger.

Moreover, provide adequate space between touch elements so that users don’t trigger other events unintentionally. Wrong clicks—or in this case, wrong taps—are extremely frustrating and could increase your bounce rate.

3. Minimize text entry requirements

Text input is considered one of the greatest hurdles to mobile accessibility. Touchscreen devices lag behind physical keyboards in terms of ergonomics. Switching between letters, punctuation marks, and other symbols is harder to do on a smartphone than it is on a desktop. 

The best we can do is to minimize the need for users to input long lines of text. Reducing web form fields is a big help as well as providing more convenient ways to answer questions such as checkboxes, toggle switches, and sliders.

You can also enable autofill and integrate your platform with profile-based software like Google and Facebook on your sign-up page.  

4. Make smarter dropdown menus

Because you have less area to work with, submenus can be difficult to open and close on mobile sites. Dropdown menus are especially problematic when the dropdown list is long and the scrollable area is too small. 

Users might miss important information and web pages when these items are further along the list and hidden from plain sight. We also don’t recommend using dropdown menus for web forms. 

Having to scroll through an endless list of possible answers is tedious. When deciding whether or not to use dropdown menus, always consider the expected input. Sometimes, manually entering a word or value is more efficient. 

If there’s no going around it, limit the number of items on your list and prioritize which ones should appear first. Adding a “start typing…” feature is another solution so that users could get to their desired option faster.

5. Drop the hover function

The hover function doesn’t exist on touchscreen devices. For the most part, leaving them on won’t mess with the functionality of your website. But sometimes, hover effects could hide elements on mobile pages and alter the double-tap behavior on iOS touch screens.

It’s best to avoid these risks and remove hover functions from your mobile site altogether. The best alternative is to include the hover information directly on the web page. This requires you to trim down your captions and/or redirect users to the complete information with a text link.  

6. Enable course gestures for tablets 

On small touchscreen devices, interacting with the UI requires minimal movement. Unless users are typing lengthy paragraphs, it’s usually just the thumb doing most of the work. 

But for larger touchscreens like tablets and monitors, it takes more effort to tap faraway elements. For example, if your web app has its menu button way up on the corner of the screen, users would likely have to change the position of their hand and extend their arms while using their gadgets.

Although it doesn’t seem like a big deal, repeating these movements results in cumulative fatigue and dissatisfaction. To address this, take advantage of the larger touch-sensitive surface and make use of course gestures.

Examples of course gestures include full-hand pinch, multi-finger swipes, and crank motions. These movements allow the entire screen to serve as a control pad so you can do away with special buttons and links. The result is a more user-friendly and accessible UX/UI design.

7. Consider haptic feedback

Finally, we want you to consider haptic feedback. This refers to a physical response, usually a vibration, generated by the device to the user. It’s commonly applied to video games to increase accuracy and input speed on top of providing an immersive gameplay experience.

On websites and web apps, haptic feedback can be set to let users know that their input was registered. It can also be used to signal an error in the information a consumer has entered. 

Users with visual difficulties benefit from haptic feedback the most but even average users can draw satisfaction from this feature. Light vibrations increase input speed by up to 20% and reduce errors by about the same margin. 

Haptic feedback has little impact on power consumption but it still costs energy to produce the vibration. It can also get annoying if it’s overdone, so be mindful of applying haptic feedback to your touch elements. Only use it if it can truly add value to the user experience.

Improve Your Mobile Site with DevWerkz

Implement these tips and more when you hire our team of professional web designers and developers. We specialize in building beautiful and robust websites and web apps for various industries. Contact DevWerkz today.

We’ve all encountered websites that have poor color choices, unreadable fonts, and confusing interfaces. To average users, these are but minor inconveniences. But to people with disabilities, they mean the difference between a usable and useless website.

Why Does Web Accessibility Matter?

Web accessibility utilizes tools and technologies to provide better online experiences for people with various disabilities, including but not limited to, visual, auditory, and cognitive disorders. 

By catering to this demographic, you widen your reach and build a positive image for your brand. Following WAGs (Web Accessibility Guidelines) is also good for SEO. The two concepts share many similarities, with the end goal being intuitive interfaces for all.

Accessible websites enjoy lower bounce rates and avoid complaints related to the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 2018, over 2,000 lawsuits were filed concerning web accessibility issues, which included cases against well-known brands like Domino’s Pizza.

Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools

The call for web accessibility is only growing, and it is in the best interest of your digital products to comply with WAGs. 

We have an entire blog that tackles simple ways you can make your website more accessible. For this post, we’re going to talk about 7 web accessibility checkers and tools to ensure you’re on the right track.

1. COMPLYFirst Professional

COMPLYFirst Professional is a desktop application for web accessibility testing. It covers all aspects of Section 508 Standard 1194.22, WAI-ARIA, and WCAG 2.0 for Automated and Manual DOM interfaces.  

You can schedule tests for single web pages, groups of web pages, groups of websites, and password-protected pages to ensure they’re always up to standards. Results from its automated scans can be exported into its built-in manual testing tool for further analysis.

Testing activities and reports are compiled in a tamper-resistant database for future reference. In terms of solutions, COMPLYFirst Professional provides clear instructions and code samples to fix errors as soon as possible. 

2. OzART

OzART is a comprehensive accessibility checker that claims to detect errors and potential weak spots that other tools miss. It points out technical lapses as well as ambiguous elements that need manual testing.

Unlike other web accessibility tools, OzART can tell the difference between templates and unique content, meaning it won’t report problems with template elements multiple times.

Its findings are presented in layers, starting with a quick overview of passes and errors. Its in-depth report cites the exact code or element that is not compliant with WCAG 2. As such, there’s no need to jump back and forth from the tool to your website.

3. Accessibility Checker by CKSource

Accessibility Checker offers real-time feedback as you work on your content. It resolves common accessibility issues automatically, minimizing speedbumps as you move toward project completion. 

Big brands like Philips, Microsoft, IBM, and Volvo use this tool to avoid lawsuits and expand their consumer base. 

The tool itself is well-designed in assisting users with special needs. It supports screen readers, renders pages in high contrast, and can operate using only keyboard inputs.

4. ARIA Validator for Chrome

ARIA Validator by RickBrown is an extension for Google Chrome with over 2,000 users. It scans web pages to detect WAI-ARIA implementation issues for free.

The extension appears as a button on top of the web browser, which you can click on to evaluate the page you’re viewing. It also detects duplicate IDs in your HTML. This is important to prevent invalid markups that cause screen readers to skip some parts of your website.

Note that this tool cannot detect all accessibility issues and only scans one page at a time. We recommend using ARIA Validator in addition to more comprehensive web accessibility checkers to determine your WAG compliance level.

5. Bulk Accessibility Checker 

Bulk Accessibility Checker is developed by EXPERTE. It’s a free web-based tool that crawls and evaluates an entire website with a single click.

EXPERTE designed the checker to assess 41 features related to web accessibility. This includes navigation, ARIA implementation, contrast, graphics, localization, and internationalization.

For example, it flags web pages that do not meet the standard contrast ratio or those that contain heading elements that do not follow a logical order. 

All you need to do is to enter your URL to run the test. Buk Accessibility Checker generates a score for each of your web pages and gives a detailed report on what you could have done better.

6. Color Oracle 

Color Oracle is a color blindness simulator for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It applies a color filter to your screen so you can view what your designs look like to users with visual impairments.

Its preset themes simulate Deuteranopia (complete inability to distinguish colors), Protanopia (inability to perceive red), Tritanopia (inability to differentiate blue and yellow), and Grayscale. 

Integrating this tool into your workflow is easy since it operates independently of other software. You can enable Color Oracle while working on a graphics manipulation software, as well as when you’re inspecting everything as a whole on your wireframe. 

7. Silktide

Silktide is a trusted platform that finds and fixes accessibility issues on desktop and mobile devices. Some of its most recognizable clients include eBay and NHS.

Its number one selling point is efficiency. Silktide features automated web accessibility testing based on WCAG 2.1. The tool notifies users of compliance issues in order of priority and recommends manual auditing whenever necessary.

Silktide’s reports are very comprehensive, yet easy to digest, allowing lay users to appreciate advanced accessibility concerns. Moreover, Silktide provides detailed how-to’s and support to improve your design. 

Improve Your Website with the Best Web Design Agency

Attract new customers and avoid litigation issues when you work with a team of professional web developers and designers. We know all the best practices in web development and design to help your brand reach its targets. Contact DevWerkz today.

Apart from making things look beautiful, digital design has the power to evoke specific emotions and communicate subliminal messages. It’s a craft that requires artistry and a good understanding of human behavior. 

Of course, it takes time to develop an eye for design and all of the instincts that come with it. There are an infinite number of possibilities and it can feel overwhelming. But knowing the basics and best practices used by professionals puts you on the right path.

Whether it’s for a web page, social media ad, or Email Development campaign, we recommend following these tips to impress your target audience.

1. Perfect your color theory

Color makes designs striking and memorable. It sets the tone of your finished product and influences how consumers perceive a brand. 

Certain colors are associated with elegance and sophistication, while others are used to appear youthful and casual. The psychology of color is part of perfecting your color theory, which is a long road of trial and error.

Start by familiarizing yourself with basic colors and then move your way up to the color wheel. The layout of the color wheel is arranged such that primary colors are equidistant from each other with secondary and tertiary colors placed between them. 

You can use the color wheel to create your color palette either by choosing complementary, analogous, or triad colors. Keep in mind that the color combination must reflect the image you want for your brand. 

Finally, include neutral colors for your background and add one that stands out from the rest of your palette for links and buttons. 

2. Consider colorblindness 

According to a report in 2021, 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women are colorblind. Colorblindness makes it difficult for users to differentiate between two colors, commonly green and orange or red and green. That said, you can imagine how this condition affects user experience.

Someone with colorblindness won’t be able to pick up on certain instructions and visual cues that rely on color as a guide. For example, if your password field turns red when it doesn’t match the username, someone with colorblindness would take longer to figure out what’s going on.

One way to improve accessibility for these users is to add labels that support the message conveyed by colors. In our previous example, you can add “Incorrect password” below the field to help users proceed.

Additionally, avoid putting two colors close together if they’re affected by the most common forms of color blindness. Aside from the combinations we mentioned earlier, try not to pair up blue and purple, red and brown, and blue and green on your design. 

3. Choose fonts wisely

Typography refers to the style, size, and spacing of text. The point of which is to make words legible and add character to your copy. It can also be used to establish content hierarchy and aid in navigation. 

Pairing contrasting font styles and adjusting font size and width show the different levels of content. But don’t go overboard and choose styles that are too different from each other. Remember that they still need to look coherent. Ideally, they should share some features like similar proportions or x-height.

Serif and sans-serif typefaces are typically used for their readability. Serif fonts are especially useful for smaller sections of your design, while sans-serif fonts are used for titles and headlines.

Display and script fonts make up the other half of basic typefaces. The former is characterized by bold, eye-catching fonts, while the latter mimics hand lettering. Both categories aren’t recommended for long body text as they’re hard to read, but they’re great for decorative purposes. 

Note that low-resolution devices fail to display serif fonts properly. Plus, not all serif and sans-serif fonts are made equal. Depending on the font style they can have varying levels of legibility. 

4. Break up heavy text

Heavy blocks of text are an eyesore. Even with the correct use of typography, users are likely to feel fatigued just by looking at congested sections of your design. In the worst-case scenario, they wouldn’t bother reading your copy and forget about our brand altogether.

Breaking up paragraphs gives users room to breathe and digest what they’ve just read. The most common way to do this is through graphics. Photos, illustrations, and diagrams enhance user experience and convey information succinctly. 

You can also use pull quotes to highlight important lines in your copy while providing a visual break for your readers. 

If that’s not your style, you can go with headers. And since the majority of consumers scan through text quickly, it’s an advantage to summarize key points they read on the go.

5. Source images responsibly

It’s tempting to grab a photo off the internet and use it for your designs. But a lot of the things you find online are copyrighted and should not be taken without permission.

If you must use photos from the internet, make sure to get them from stock photo sites. There are paid and free sites available with thousands of images for your perusal. Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay are among the top free sites where you can get quality images.

For a coherent feel, we recommend looking up photos by photographer. Usually, they’ll have similar entries with the same theme and lighting on their portfolio, making it easier for you to match images.

Capturing photos yourself is highly recommended but sometimes you’re left with no other choice but to use stock images. It’s all good and well so long as you source them responsibly. To up their allure, you can touch up the photo as needed and add your own illustrations.

6. Use a grid

As a beginner, you’re probably wondering how professionals organize elements in their design. The answer is simple: grids.

When we publish our ads and other graphics, everything appears to be floating and interacting with each other naturally. But during the design process, we use grids to ensure that the final product is balanced and easy to understand.

Every shape and line is placed deliberately while taking into account UX. Without grids, designs look cluttered and it’s harder to spot inconsistencies in size and spacing. 

You can take liberties when using grids and veer away from the guidelines to make an impact. Some designers purposely break grids when placing headlines for an eye-catching effect. But we recommend attempting such design choices only when you’re comfortable enough with the basics.

7. Leave white space

Finally, we’re down to white space. It seems counterintuitive that “untouched” sections of a design are crucial to making it work. But white space is just that—unmarked spaces that let the layout breathe and look better.

We want to clarify that white space doesn’t necessarily mean an empty block of white. It could be the color of your background and have texture, as long as it separates the different elements of your design.

The use of white space is soothing because it prevents users from being overloaded with visual stimulation. That’s why it’s a must to have white space in between lines of text to improve readability.

Additionally, it points consumers to where their attention should be and encourages them to interact with your brand. With it, you have the opportunity to highlight certain graphics and CTA buttons to boost conversion.

Work with a Professional Team of Digital Designers

Thinking about your next Email Development campaign or social media ad? Let us design your email templates and advertisements to get the most out of their run. Contact DevWerkz today.

Websites and web apps must not only serve their purpose, but they must also be appealing and easy to use. 

One of today’s popular features is Dark Mode. According to research, 82.7% of users prefer to use Dark Mode on their devices. 

It was first introduced on Windows Phone 7 in 2010. After confirming that it’s energy-efficient, Google made Dark Mode available for Android users in 2018, with Apple following suit a year after.

What is Dark Mode?

Dark Mode is characterized by a low-light user interface featuring varying shades of black and gray. It’s also known as black mode, dark theme, night mode, and light-on-dark.

Whereas default settings (“Light Mode”) show dark text against a light background, Dark Mode displays the opposite with light-colored text on a dark screen.

The main principle in making Dark Mode work is hitting the correct color contrast to ensure readability. 

Dark Mode’s Impact on User Experience

The reason behind Dark Mode’s popularity is multifaceted. Some studies suggest that Dark Mode reduces eye strain, especially for astigmatic users. It’s also preferable when using a device in low-light conditions, like when users start to wind down at the end of the day. 

That’s why streaming services like Netflix have darker themes. These platforms anticipate their users to be most active during the night. Instead of having consumers adjust the brightness of their screens, they shoulder the responsibility to provide a better user experience.

Another advantage is that Dark Mode preserves battery life by up to 63% on AMOLED displays. Because it doesn’t require a lot of white pixels, it is less power-hungry than default settings. 

Meanwhile, some users want Dark Mode simply because they find it more aesthetically pleasing.

Giant names like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Reddit offer Dark Mode to their visitors.

Terra, a large media company in Brazil, improved user engagement by doing the same. After making a dark theme available, the brand reduced its bounce rate by 60% and increased pages per session by 170%. 

Design Tips When Using Dark Mode

Inversing your color palette or putting everything in grayscale isn’t synonymous with Dark Mode. A lot of thought must be put into your design. 

To hit it out of the park, consider these tips when implementing Dark Mode:

1. Avoid pure black

Although black and grey are the predominant colors of Dark Mode, you should steer clear of pure black. When the contrast between the background and foreground elements is too high, the design becomes too strenuous to the eyes.

It could lead to headaches and discourage consumers from ever revisiting your website. Pick out nice shades of grey and test your colors before and after implementing your dark theme.

2. Decrease the brightness and contrast of images

With Dark Mode, it’s best to tone down the brightness and contrast of images. The level of brightness you use on your graphics for your default theme is likely too jarring against black and grey.

You can dim your photos by uploading both versions of an image and manipulating your HTML using the <picture> element. An easier way is to use the CSS filter() function.

3. Use muted colors

Saturated colors on dark backgrounds are a recipe for disaster. Vivid shades cause what are called optical vibrations, where elements appear to shake when viewed on the screen.

Muted colors and pastels are better suited for dark mode as they are more legible and reduce optical strain. 

To pass WCAG’s accessibility standards, you need a contrast ratio of at least 4:5:1 for body text at all elevation surfaces. Use this standard as a guide while tweaking the tones of your primary and secondary colors.

4. Double-check your logo

In line with adjusting your color palette, it’s important to mention branding. Working on a dark theme, some colors on your logo aren’t going to fly. Dark shades will disappear, while lighter tones may not look aesthetically pleasing.

One option is to have a minimalist version of your logo. If you want to keep its original colors, you can either add a white stroke, a shadow, or a glow, depending on what will make your logo the most legible. 

5. Change the fill on your icons

With regard to icons, it’s the same principle. You want just the right amount of contrast so that they’re easy on the eyes, meaning you have to avoid full white lines. 

It would be great if all or the majority of your icons are SVG so you can change their colors using CSS. For font icons, you need to open your HTML file and change the color properties instead. 

6. Use variable fonts

Changing just your font colors isn’t enough to make text look right on Dark Mode. If you compare your dark and light themes side by side, you’ll see that light-colored text across a dark background appears bolder. This is true even when you’re using the same font weight.

While it doesn’t seem so significant while staring at a single line, it becomes a real problem when reading long paragraphs of text. Variable fonts are your friends to make these small, yet crucial improvements to typography. 

You can make them lighter and thinner by adjusting different axes in CSS. Similar to icons, don’t choose pure white to go against your night theme, and be mindful of WCAG’s golden ratio. 

7. Show layering with lighter tones

Lastly, use lighter shades to denote layers “closer” to the user. This will create depth and visual hierarchy which serve as navigational cues to visitors as they interact with your UI.

You can also use opacity in the same way, going from high to low opacity elements as an object moves towards the top of the screen. 

Layering will make it easier for consumers to see where they should click or tap on, as well as backtrack their movements on your website.

Work with the Best Web Design Team

Dark Mode offers a completely different user experience. It’s not enough to want in on the bandwagon, you must understand its purpose and what it means for people who benefit the most out of the design. 

It can generate big returns to your business, but only if you do it right. 

Hire a professional team of web developers and designers to make every component perfect. Contact DevWerkz today.

With every bit of technological advancement, web developers and designers get better tools to make memorable online experiences. Touch gestures, chatbots, and voice-controlled web pages are prime examples of recent breakthroughs. 

Visually, retro designs are finding their way back into the limelight. Many designers are moving away from photograph-heavy layouts and are exploring creative opportunities using typography, grids, and lines.

In this blog, we’re giving you a headstart to prepare for what’s to come next year. Here are 7 web design trends that will define the world wide web in 2022.  

1. Typographic Hero Images

Credits

Typography-led hero images are becoming the norm for many websites. Some designers completely leave out imagery to let the text speak for itself, while others incorporate simple photos or illustrations.

The beauty of this design is that it’s bold and it commands the attention of users. You need a font style that’s legible against a background that will make the text pop. 

Solid color backgrounds are best at giving that nice contrast, but high-quality photo works too with proper text placement.

2. Collage Illustration

Collage-style graphics allow you to experiment with different shapes, patterns, and images to give a unique, approachable feel to your website. 

This style gets a bad reputation for being too crowded or incohesive, but professional web designers know exactly how to use this to their advantage. 

Collage illustrations break up the monotony by embracing off-axis layouts and asymmetry. Plus, with the right use of white space, the design can still look breathable and won’t appear overwhelming.

The trick is to have an element that ties everything together. It could be your color palette, a photo filter, or a subtle tint. Have a game plan or a story to tell so your work doesn’t get sloppy.

3. Glassmorphism

Glassmorphism exploration – Online Banking Website by Bogusław Podhalicz

Glassmorphism is a trend that makes elements on a page look like frosted glass. Its wow factor is magnified when combined with subtle movements to produce a 3D effect.

Glassmorphism is achieved by manipulating transparency, blur, and shadows. Blurring the background adds depth and creates the illusion of a floating object. Adding a light border takes it a step further as it simulates a glass edge, making it stand out.

When using this technique, pick vivid colors for your background otherwise, the effect won’t be as clear. 

You can apply glassmorphism in logos, banners, or full sections of a web page. Just be careful not to go overboard as some parts of your text may lose readability and affect user experience. 

4. Micro Animations

Microanimations are small animations that play automatically or when triggered by user interaction. They elevate visual appeal and could serve as visual cues to help users navigate your website. 

Micro animations on hero images add flair, while micro interactions on icons show attention to detail and aid in web accessibility. 

Some eCommerce websites use micro animations on their product pages to display items from different angles. With it, clothing stores can demonstrate how a garment hugs the body while the wearer is in motion. 

You want your micro animations to flow smoothly and at the right speed. Make it too fast and it may be more irritating than appealing; make it too complex and it might take a toll on your site speed. Keep things simple and remember who you’re designing your pages for.

5. Visible Borders

There is nothing more satisfying than removing grids after finishing a wireframe. However, in 2022, leaving visible borders is a point in your favor. 

Visible borders are the perfect touch to complete a retro vibe, but more importantly, they make web content easier to consume. Clear demarcations help users focus on one section at a time, removing the guesswork of where to go next.

The most important detail for this design choice is line weight. Fine lines exude a sharp minimalist feel, while chunkier lines emanate a playful atmosphere.

Both thin- and thick-lined borders go well with a muted color palette and solid typefaces. Because this trend frames text and graphics, triple-check your web copy and visual elements before publishing as flaws would stick out like a sore thumb.

6. Memphis Design

Credits

Memphis design was one of the predominant styles in the ’80s. The movement was all about bright shapes and lines as well as out-of-the-box patterns that go against minimalism. 

Looking at typical websites today, it makes sense for Memphis designs to re-emerge. Although minimalistic interfaces are intuitive, they do little for branding as things start to look too uniform. 

Breaking away from predictability allows websites to have their own personality and makes them appear welcoming. The components of Memphis designs are bold and adventurous, which make for unforgettable online experiences.

If you’re afraid to go all out on neon colors and geometric shapes, start with thick strokes and squiggly lines. What’s important is for your design to evoke cheery emotions while setting you apart from standard layouts.

7. Animated Scrolling

Another way to catch people’s attention is to incorporate scroll-triggered animations. The most common scrolling animations are designed to move when an object is seen within the viewport. Page elements can either vibrate, change color, slide, and so on.

Parallax scroll animations are more advanced. As a user scrolls down, foreground and background elements move at different rates and/or directions. The result is an illusion of depth that effectively immerses visitors as they make their way down to the bottom of the page.

Well-design scrolling effects have the ability to nudge users to convert. Apart from delivering a visually attractive environment, they encourage active participation and highlight important sections on your site.

Before diving into your design, craft a storyboard to ensure the finished product will be cohesive. You’ll need a great deal of technical skill to pull this off since timing and synchronization are a must, but if you do, the results are well worth the effort.

Revamp Your Website with DevWerkz

Want to give your website a new look? Our professional team of web developers and designers can do that and more. Contact DevWerkz today.

Keep in mind that the tiniest details can impact your web performance negatively. Poorly designed web forms, for example, cost businesses millions of dollars in revenue. 

In this blog, we’ll show you how to make more effective web forms that will get your visitors to convert.   

1. Limit form fields

If you’re aware of the power of data in online success, you’re probably tempted to mine as much as possible from your visitors. But as cyberattacks become more frequent, the hesitancy to fill out web forms likewise increases.

Nobody is a hundred percent comfortable while giving their information online, especially if they have to divulge too much to earn a simple request. That is why long web forms put users off and cause them to abandon ship.

Keep web forms short and straightforward. Ask only what’s necessary and save follow-up questions for future engagements.

Cutting down form fields from 11 to 4 can increase conversions by up to 120% since they would appear less daunting and non-invasive.

2. Use one column

The problem with having a web form with multiple columns is that it disrupts the natural flow of typing your answers. Users either have to scan the form in a ladder or Z pattern, slowing them down in the process.

A single column allows users to complete the task systematically, in a straight line down the page. This is an especially important reminder when long forms can’t be avoided. 

3. Group related information

To make things easier for your users, group related questions in logical blocks or sets. Although the engagement is happening online, it should still feel like a conversation with your consumers. 

In a real-life conversation, you don’t pop questions in random order. You start with the easiest thing you can ask and move on to the next topic that’s related to your previous query. 

Digitally, this translates to organizing questions based on personal information, contact information, and home address (if needed). Again, lead with easy and less sensitive questions, and avoid asking for people’s phone numbers unless it’s absolutely necessary. 

4. Provide summary boxes

As much as we’d like to keep things minimal, sometimes there’s no going around asking for personal information. Summary boxes address user concerns on the spot, alleviating some of the discomforts of filling out a web form.

Summary boxes are those small popup messages that explain why a user needs to give away their birthday, zip code, and other data.

Facebook clarifies why they need someone’s date of birth by posing the question “Why do I need to provide my birthday?”. On their sign-up form, the text is placed next to the corresponding form field, and when a user clicks on it, the summary box appears.

Some websites effectively extract information this way because it reassures users that their answers are going to be used to improve user experience. Still, it’s better not to pressure users into laying out their entire bio on their first visit. Weigh in the pros and cons, and clarify if some of your form fields are entirely optional.

5. Consider mobile-friendliness

A lot of us must have experienced filling out a web form on our mobile devices. And as you may have noticed, not every website takes into account mobile friendliness. 

All of your web pages should be responsive to different screen sizes and resolutions. You can’t present your web forms on mobile the same way you do for desktops. Text should be big enough to read and users shouldn’t have to zoom in to click on fields or buttons.

Another neat tip is to provide the appropriate keyboard to the data being requested. For example, if a user clicks on a field asking for their credit card number, have their keyboard shift automatically to the number pad so that it’s easier for them to input their answer.

6. Enable autocomplete

On the subject of mobile friendliness, anything that minimizes typing is a win for mobile users. Small screens make consumers prone to error, especially if they’re typing long lines of text. 

That is why the address field is the most problematic part of a web form when a visitor is on their phone. If they’re in a big rush, they could just exit your website. By enabling an autocomplete function, you minimize the need for unnecessary typing and lower your bounce rates.

Google developed Place Autocomplete Address Form which integrates geolocation and address prefilling to accomplish the field without a lot of manual input. 

For other sections of your form, you can use an HTML autocomplete attribute. The attribute suggests values based on past entries or pre-set values you’ve configured.

7. Do inline validation

Arguably the most frustrating thing that can happen while answering a web form is finding out you’ve made an error after clicking submit. It’s twice as annoying if after being denied to proceed, the form doesn’t highlight where you’ve made a mistake.

To avoid these situations altogether, inline validation checks the form in real-time so that users can correct their entries before going to the next field. 

When you do inline validation, don’t just give a generic error notification. Instead, tell users what’s wrong with their answer so they won’t have to guess what you’re looking for. It’s a quick add-on but it greatly improves checkout pages and boosts conversions.

Optimize User Experience with DevWerkz

Provide your users with the best online experiences when you work with a professional team of web developers and designers. We customize websites and web apps to attract and engage your target market unlike any other platform. Contact DevWekrz today.

To make sure you’re all set, we’ve created a last-minute checklist for your website. Go over this list and watch this year’s Black Friday Sale go off without a hitch. 

1. Site speed and performance

The holidays bring in a lot of new visitors to your website, especially if your marketing team did a good job. While it’s exciting to think that more people will be looking into your store, you must be prepared for it. 

Traffic surges cause a lot of problems in site speed and performance if you don’t have the right infrastructure. The last thing you want is to experience downtime in the middle of the biggest sale of the year. 

Conduct regular speed tests leading up to the day and ensure that your servers can handle thousands of users at once.

It’s best to have dedicated servers for this occasion so upgrade your web hosting plan if you must. Also, Identify bugs and outdated software and address them immediately.

2. Website copy

Web copy that works on a normal day may not be enough during Black Friday. After all, you’re up against other brands that likewise aim to maximize their earnings. 

Optimize your web copy by doing keyword research and incorporating what you find into your copy. Every year is a little different. Current trends and the context of your shoppers influence what they’ll look up online.

Rather than aiming to rank for generic keywords, go for niche-specific or long-tail keywords by adding specifications. They may get less search traffic but they’ll appeal to shoppers who know exactly what they want to buy. 

The most important keywords should be on your main headings, title tags, alt texts, and product descriptions. This will make it easier for buyers to find your unique offers online.

3. Landing pages

Hopefully, by now, you’ve realized the power of custom landing pages. Many studies support the use of multiple landing pages to match different buyer personas and traffic sources for increased conversions.

It should go without saying that the ads you run for Black Friday deserve landing pages of their own. This gives consumers the satisfying feeling of continuity which encourages them to see the engagement through checkout. 

The design doesn’t have to be anything fancy. What’s crucial is that the content and visual elements are consistent with what the user saw on your ad. 

Focus on your offer and remove distractions. Landing pages exist with a singular purpose so anything that strays from getting a conversion has no place in your design.

4. Featured offers

You’ve probably heard a lot about integrating data analytics into your eCommerce website. Come Black Friday, the insights you’ve collected over the years are ten times handier. 

Knowing your best sellers helps you maximize profits. Your most loved products should be front and center on your website. If you can come up with a good bundle deal, you’ll attract a big crowd and claim a lump sum by the end of the holidays.

Choosing featured products is crucial since it sets the tone for the rest of the shopping experience. Whatever you highlight should be compelling enough to stroke someone’s curiosity or make the sale in an instant.

As always, place the most important and relevant information above the fold, and don’t forget to optimize banners so they load fast.

5. Discounts

Consumers are enticed by discounts because they create a sense of urgency. A ticking clock on slashed prices nudges buyers to swipe their card and checkout.

Advertise discounts as soon as possible to build anticipation. When it’s finally time to put them into action, make sure that they’re reflected on your website. 

Double-check whether or not they appear on product pages and the checkout page. Additionally, see to it that they match what you’ve put in ads and social media campaigns.

6. Promo codes

In the same vein, promo codes afford users the same rush. But what’s risky about them is faulty promo codes result in high cart abandonment rates. 

We’ve all probably experienced entering a promo code only to find that it doesn’t work or that it comes with a catch. It could be an issue of minimum spending, restriction to a particular payment method, unclear expiration dates, or simply that you haven’t updated your website.

Remember that your consumers shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get what they want. Be transparent about the limitations of your promo codes so customers know what to expect from the start. Doing so will not only earn you more sales but also prevent customer attrition in the long run.

7. Checkout experience

Speaking of abandoned carts, nothing kills the prospect of a sure conversion faster than a dreadful checkout experience. 

When a customer is ready to pay, don’t block their way with lengthy forms. Buyers should be able to accomplish checking out their cart with just a few clicks, especially if they’ve done business with you before.

Adding multiple payment options helps speed things up and accommodates a variety of users. E-wallets like Google Pay are picking up steam so take steps to include them into your website.

For new shoppers, prioritize securing the sale before asking them to make an account. This way, they won’t need to re-input information they’ve provided and prevent them from bouncing off of your website.

8. Location data

Although we’re talking about eCommerce and online shopping, the pull of brick-and-mortar stores is still undeniable. 

If you have a physical store, verify and update your location data on your website. While you’re at it, do the same for your social media pages and Google Maps. 

Customers are going to be looking at your official channels for information on store branches, business hours, and contact information, so don’t let them down.

9. Customer service

Excellent customer service is expected of every brand and determines whether or not you’ll see repeat buyers in the future. On the busiest shopping weekend, you want to provide answers fast at all times.

Enabling a chatbot is the easiest way to keep communication lines open and serve customers in a timely manner. You can program chatbots to respond to frequently asked questions, help buyers during checkout, recommend products, and more. 

Chatbots are very useful but if a customer needs to speak with a live agent, make sure you have that option available.

Aftercare is also very important but often neglected. A simple thank you message upon checkout reinforces buyers to stick with your brand. 

Furthermore, consumers should also be able to track their purchases on your website without breaking a sweat. Provide them with a tracking number and contact information in case something goes awry. 

10. Mobile-friendliness

Finally, test for mobile friendliness. By the end of the year, mobile commerce sales are expected to reach $3.56 trillion, accounting for almost 70% of all eCommerce.

Invest in responsive design and mobile sites. Regardless of screen size, your website must be easy on the eyes, intuitive, and responsive to all user requests. 

Work with a Professional Team of Web Developers and Designers

Make the most out of the holiday season with a seasoned team of web developers and designers. We create custom themes and functionalities for stunning web pages that convert. Contact DevWerkz today.

Getting users to stick around and remain loyal for years are better indicators of web performance. These factors are measured by user retention rate.  

Retention rate is calculated by getting the percentage of users who remain active on the app N days after first opening it. 

High user retention rates show that a web app is well-designed and stable. In contrast, poor retention rates suggest flaws in UI/UX design, bugs, and broken links, among others. 

In this blog, we list 7 web app optimizations you can try to keep more users and continue growing your app.

1. Use data analytics early

Data analytics is a powerful weapon in lead generation and user retention. Marketers and developers stand by integrating data analytics into web apps to improve features and functionality. 

The problem is, many web app owners get into data analytics a bit late in the game. If you integrate it into your strategy after publishing your app, you would have already lost consumers from usability issues and feature requests. 

These roadblocks could have been addressed before launch and saved you the trouble of bouncing back from bad reviews.

That’s why it’s crucial to take advantage of data analytics right away. As soon as you have a working prototype, use analytics tools to zero in on pain points and get to know your target audience better.

2. Make onboarding easy

While your app is aimed at a particular audience, it shouldn’t be difficult to navigate regardless of age and educational background.

The onboarding experience is the first test of your UI/UX design. It’s also where consumers make their first impressions, which heavily impact the user retention curve.

Studies suggest that users judge your web app within the first 20 seconds of interacting with it. In this short period, you need to be able to teach users the functions of your app efficiently. 

Keep your onboarding segment short and to the point. Focus first on basic features then highlight unique tools and functionalities. It’s recommended that you place a progress bar and make the experience engaging so they’re excited to explore the app on their own afterward.

Also, give consumers a chance to check out the app before making an account. This way, they wouldn’t feel the pressure to give out information without knowing anything about your platform.

3. Add multi-touch gestures

Mobile devices are slowly overtaking desktop computers. Even at work, tons of users are turning to their smartphones to surf the web and cross off tasks on their to-do lists. As such, mobile-first design has gained traction through the years with no sign of slowing down.

With iPhones doing away with home buttons and other brands following suit, more and more full-screen gestures are being adopted. Accommodating these gestures into your app ensures that it is optimized for varying levels of dexterity.

That said, always look back to your end-users. If you’re targeting senior citizens, for example, it’s best to keep gestures simple and highly intuitive. The drag gesture shows high learnability, while the rotate gesture using two fingers is less so.

You also need to make sure that common gestures such as tap, swipe, and pinch do exactly what users would expect them to do. If they don’t respond correctly, check for broken functions and fix them immediately.

4. Personalize every session

Personalization is a buzzword in web app development and marketing. It’s recently been thrown around everywhere as a constant reminder to go the extra mile when crafting user experiences.

To personalize every session in your web app, you need to keep tabs on user activities and profiles. Take Google Drive, for instance. When you open the app, you’re greeted with a quick access bar of all the recent files you’ve opened. 

Netflix has a dedicated carousel for shows and movies that you haven’t finished watching. It also recommends content based on what you’ve consumed in the past.

These are examples of dynamic personalization, where you change elements constantly as you learn more about your user preferences. Its simpler twin is static personalization. Here, you make the most out of welcome messages and other elements that don’t need much updating.

5. Send push notifications

Push notifications are alerts you can send to entice users to open your app. It’s a simple re-engagement tactic that’s highly effective if executed well. 

A good push notification message plays on the fear of missing out. Social media apps do this by teasing users about what’s on their news feed to encourage another app session. 

Meanwhile, web apps that are meant for work use push notifications to remind users of their tasks and upcoming events. 

Every notification you send must be actionable and have a clear purpose. Personalize push notifications and keep them concise so they’d appear in full text when they pop up. 

6. Gamify parts of your app

This recommendation isn’t applicable for all web apps but it’s worth the try whenever possible. Gamification is a strategy wherein users perform normal tasks in the app as if they were in a game. 

Some platforms integrate this into their design by awarding users with digital badges or ribbons for completing a task. eCommerce web apps usually have a point system for every purchase to hook users into making more transactions.

The science behind why this works has something to do with the reward center in our brains. The excitement users feel when they get their reward helps them stay active in the app. The best part is, rewards don’t necessarily have to cost you a lot. 

Yelp partners up with the businesses featured on their website to give exclusive perks to the most active members of the community. Writing quality reviews earns you a spot in Yelp’s Elite Squad, which comes with a shiny badge and invitations to exclusive events.

You need to think outside the box to gamify parts of your app, but when you do come up with something good, expect retention rates to skyrocket.

7. Simplify content sharing

Lastly, make sharing content in-app and on social media easy. The whole point of the world wide web is to help us all stay connected and share information effortlessly. So the more peers a user has on a particular app, the more likely they’ll stay in it. 

Furthermore, enabling social sharing entices new consumers to come on board, widening your user base and increasing revenue. Studying the profiles of these new users may also be the basis for retargeting campaigns and other digital marketing strategies.

Work with a Professional Team of Web Developers and Designers

Retain more users and maximize ROI when you partner with a team of seasoned developers and designers. We’ll implement all the enhancements and make custom features for your app. Contact DevWerkz today.