In today’s fast moving digital landscape, your website isn’t just a virtual business card it’s your storefront, sales team, customer service desk and brand ambassador all rolled into one. And with online competition fiercer than ever, the user experience (UX) your website delivers can make or break your success.
So, why do so many businesses still settle for outdated designs, poor navigation, and lacklustre functionality? The reality is, a cheap website that doesn’t prioritise UX may save a few pounds upfront, but it can cost you thousands in lost sales and missed opportunities.
In this article, we’ll explore the importance of designing and developing your website with UX at its core, why it’s essential for conversions, and how to do it right, complete with examples and references to inspire your digital strategy.
What Is User Experience (UX) in Web Design?
User experience refers to how a person feels when interacting with a digital product such as a website or mobile app. It includes everything from how easy it is to find information to how enjoyable the design is to use.
Good UX design ensures a seamless journey for your visitor from the first click to the final conversion. Poor UX, on the other hand, leads to frustration, confusion and ultimately, lost business.
Key components of UX include:
– Ease of navigation
– Clear information architecture
– Page load speed
– Mobile responsiveness
– Engaging visuals and layout
– Intuitive checkout or enquiry processes
Why UX Matters More Than Ever in 2025
According to a study by Forrester, a well designed user interface could raise your website’s conversion rate by up to 200%, and better UX design could yield conversion rates up to 400%.
Google’s own Core Web Vitals are now UX-driven, meaning performance metrics like page speed, visual stability, and interactivity directly influence your search engine rankings.
But perhaps most importantly, UX is about people. Your customers. Your visitors. Your audience. And if you don’t deliver a pleasant, frictionless experience, they’ll simply click away and head to your competitors.
Common UX Mistakes That Cost Businesses Money
Let’s look at a few examples of what happens when UX is neglected:
1. No Sub Category or Service Pages
When your website lumps all products or services on a single page with no structure or segmentation, users are forced to scroll endlessly, hunt for information, and often give up before they find what they need. This is especially damaging for service led businesses or eCommerce brands with broad catalogues.
Example: A local beauty salon with one “Services” page listing everything from facials to hair removal with no subpages. Compare this to a competitor who has dedicated SEO optimised pages for each treatment, guess who ranks better and gets more bookings?
2. Slow Load Times
Every second your site takes to load, your bounce rate increases. According to Google, 53% of mobile users abandon a page that takes longer than three seconds to load.
Example: A photographer with a beautiful portfolio, but all images are full size, unoptimised and load slowly causing potential clients to leave before even seeing the work.
3. Lack of Mobile Responsiveness
With over 60% of all web traffic now coming from mobile devices (Statista, 2024), if your website isn’t mobile friendly, you’re instantly alienating the majority of your audience.
Example: An estate agency website that looks fine on desktop but becomes a jumbled mess on phones. Navigation becomes painful, and enquiry forms are impossible to complete.
The Business Case for Investing in UX Design
Still unsure whether UX is worth the investment? Here’s why it’s a no brainer:
1. Higher Conversions & Sales
A clear, well structured wordpress website with a logical flow and compelling calls to action (CTAs) makes it easier for users to convert whether that means making a purchase, submitting an enquiry, or booking a service.
2. Lower Bounce Rates
Sites with intuitive navigation and fast load speeds retain users longer. The more time a visitor spends on your site, the more trust they develop and the more likely they are to convert.
3. Improved SEO Performance
Google’s algorithm now considers UX as a ranking factor. Good site architecture, mobile responsiveness, and fast loading times all contribute to better organic visibility.
4. Stronger Brand Perception
A professionally designed site signals credibility and trustworthiness. A cheap, clunky website has the opposite effect. Perception is everything, especially when it comes to online business.
What Does UX-Led Web Design Look Like?
Let’s break down what a UX-optimised site includes:
1. Clear Site Architecture & Navigation
Make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for with:
– Top level navigation menus
– Drop downs for sub categories
– Internal search functionality
– Breadcrumb trails
Example: Amazon’s site is a masterclass in intuitive product categorisation and filtering. You can find exactly what you need in seconds.
2. Service/Product Specific Pages
Each offering should have its own dedicated page with optimised content, imagery, and CTAs. This helps with both SEO and usability.
Example: A gym website with individual pages for “Personal Training,” “Group Classes,” and “Nutrition Coaching” will outperform a single “Services” page.
3. Mobile First Design
Your site should not just work on mobile, it should be designed for mobile. This includes:
– Tap friendly buttons
– Responsive layouts
– Fast load speeds on mobile networks
– Prioritised content stacking
Example: Airbnb’s mobile site is just as easy (if not easier) to use than the desktop version intuitive, fast, and seamless.
4. Conversion Focused Layouts
A UX-led design is built around your conversion goal whether it’s a phone call, a form submission, or a sale. Key components include:
– Strong hero sections with CTAs
– Trust signals (reviews, badges, testimonials)
– Minimal distractions
– Clean, modern design aesthetics
Real World Results: The ROI of Great UX
Case Study: Booking.com
One of the most conversion optimised websites in the world, Booking.com constantly A/B tests everything from button colours to wording. Their UX focus helps them generate over £100 million in revenue every day.
Case Study: Myk Baxter Marketing Client
A North East based retail brand partnered with Myk Baxter Marketing to re-platform their outdated website to a UX-focused Shopify build. The result? A 62% increase in conversion rate, 41% lower bounce rate, and a 3x improvement in average order value all within 90 days.
UX Is Not a Luxury, It’s a Necessity
It’s time we stop viewing good design as an optional extra. A UX-optimised website is an investment that pays off in brand trust, higher rankings, more leads and ultimately, more revenue.
So, the next time you’re tempted to go with the cheapest web developer or DIY solution, ask yourself:
– Will my customers be able to find what they’re looking for?
– Is the journey from homepage to conversion seamless?
– Does my website reflect the quality of my brand?
If the answer is no, it’s time to reconsider.
5 Steps to Create a UX-Led Website
Ready to improve your website’s UX? Here’s a simple roadmap:
1. Start with Research: Know your users. What do they want? What frustrates them? Use tools like Hotjar, Google Analytics, and user surveys.
2. Plan Your Site Architecture: Create a sitemap with clear categories and subcategories.
3. Design with Intent: Use wireframes and mockups to design each page with the user journey in mind.
4. Test Everything: Run usability tests, A/B test CTAs, and tweak based on data.
5. Iterate Continuously: UX is never “done”. Keep optimising based on feedback and analytics.
Conclusion
Designing and developing your website with user experience at the forefront isn’t just smart, it’s essential. In an age where attention spans are short, expectations are high, and competition is fierce, your developed wordpress website must be more than just “pretty”, it needs to be purposeful, intuitive and geared for results.
Whether you’re a local service provider or a global eCommerce brand, the principles of UX remain the same: make it easy, make it enjoyable, and make it convert.
If you’re ready to take your digital presence to the next level, don’t settle for second best. A well designed, UX-led website is the difference between someone browsing and someone buying.
Book Your Free UX & Web Design Consultation Today
At Myk Baxter Marketing, we specialise in building high performing websites that not only look incredible but convert. Whether you’re launching a new brand or overhauling an outdated site, we can help you create a digital experience your customers will love.
Call 01325 939 838
or visit mykbaxtermarketing.com to book a free consultation with Myk or one of the team.
Thanks for reading,
Myk Baxter, eCommerce Consultant
The post Why User Experience (UX) Should Be the Cornerstone of Your Website Design & Development Strategy appeared first on eCommerce Expert.
