Why Your Website Design Needs to be Scannable

In today’s fast-paced world, most users don’t read web pages in full upon their first visit. They scan the page for the right words and phrases as they look for the information they need the most. Eye-tracking report tools reveal a common pattern: users quickly scroll through a page and then either leave or go back to the top and engage with your content. This means that your website should be scannable so visitors know right away to stay on the page. NUVEW Web Solutions delves into the importance of a scannable website design and how you can create one of your own. 

Immediately State the Website’s Purpose

Every website should have a clear goal. Typically, that goal is conveyed through a call to action. Websites optimized for SEO align the user’s goal with yours: therefore, by making the page’s purpose clear, the users will immediately see that your goals match. Using tried-and-true design patterns is a sure way to achieve a cohesive, effective design that accentuates your mission. Place your call to action near the top of the page, where the visitor’s eyes will first line. This can take the place of a tagline overlaid on a banner image to maximize visibility. 

Establish Visual Hierarchy

The more that something stands out, the more memorable it is. A visual hierarchy seamlessly guides users through your content. Using different levels of HTML headings emphasizes information most pertinent to your clients. If the text size on a page is all the same, the information becomes indistinguishable, and viewers become overwhelmed. By providing subheadings, readers skimming the page will see these bolded sections, allowing you to catch their attention. 

Include Negative Space

The goal of a home page isn’t to include as much information as possible. Provide negative space for the viewer’s eye to rest. By doing so, you’ll make it easier for anyone who skims to clearly see each element individually. Give every web element room to breathe so each receives its due attention. 

Use an F-Pattern or a Z-Pattern

Users scan a webpage using a pattern that’s in the shape of an F or Z. Most users read pages in predictable ways, so you can use this knowledge to appeal to this habit. F and Z patterns have been used for a long time, which makes them self-fulfilling since users have been accustomed to scanning pages in this way. These patterns resemble how the eye moves across each line. Regardless of the reason, by adding important material along these channels, you raise the possibility of grabbing a user’s attention. 

Design a Website With NUVEW Web Solutions

Appealing to visitors who scan your webpage is much easier than you may expect. By understanding how to make different visual elements stand out and convey key information, you can ensure that visitors stay on your site and complete the customer journey. If you’re ready to begin designing your very own website, contact NUVEW Web Solutions to discuss your ideas.