Resolving these challenges requires a concerted effort. However, by identifying the most critical issues, companies may develop a strategy for creating a more intuitive online experience. And this is something that the below tips will help you achieve. So keep reading to be inspired.
Tip1 — Modify Page Layouts Based on User Behavior
It is not enough to have all of the information in one place; the data should also be arranged in an understandable manner. When creating page layouts, consider the following recommended practices of UI UX design for government :
People do not read; they skim:
- Visitors to your website are not there for leisure reading. Help them get to the point and do their work.
- Users often scan pages in an F shape, and their attention is drawn to the left half of the web page and tapering off when they scroll to the bottom. Put the most critical information and links at the top left.
People scroll:
- It’s crucial to have key information at the top of the page — “above the fold” — but don’t overdo it. Tablets, smartphones, and social media have altered how users engage with websites, resulting in more scrolling.
- Content designers should feel free to develop lengthier pages to spread out the material, as long as the most key messages and navigation are visible.
People click buttons:
- If you want a user to take action — download a PDF, sign up for notifications, or go to a separate page — provide clear, eye-catching buttons for them to click.
- Add white space and visual weight to the button to make it stand out and encourage interaction.
People connect better to simple language:
- Simplify government language by adopting smaller paragraphs, shorter phrases, and vocabulary with fewer syllables.
All these will help you ensure that your target audience has a smooth experience with your website.
Tip 2 — Reduce the Number of Pages
If your website has too many pages, no one will be able to find the information they are looking for. Scanning and rearranging unneeded pages should be a regular element of your site maintenance. However, although having fewer pages lowers user confusion, having too few makes your website ineffective. Therefore, it is important to find a balance. Using data to guide this process can assist in reducing clutter while ensuring that visitors get the information they need from the website.
Audit pages depending on traffic:
- Use Google Analytics or your other resource to determine which pages get the most traffic.
- Where do your users spend most of their time? These are the sites you should devote the most attention to curating.
- If a big percentage of people go from one information page to another, consider combining the pages.
Determine what makes the phone ring:
- Keep track of phone calls and in-person requests for information, and prioritize improving the accessibility of pages that address those problems.
Examine your document library depending on age and visitors:
- PDFs have various purposes, but they are not well-suited for optimal online experiences.
- Pull reports on when each PDF was last read and modified. Use this information to start eliminating unneeded papers and moving critical data to websites.
Do not be afraid to experiment. In order to do an effective optimization, you should also track the performance of your website and the key pages.
Tip 3 — Improve Your Navigation Structure
Improving a website’s information architecture will have the greatest effect on usability. But have a strategy before you start shifting things around.
Don’t just redesign the appearance:
- Pure cosmetic changes will result in — or worse, strengthen — the same usability issues.
- Plan your information architecture with the goal of ensuring user findability and usefulness, as well as staff sustainability.
- Consider the menu and submenu items, as well as the location of all relevant information.
- Create logical pathways for those looking for information. It should be easy to find information by browsing the website rather than utilizing a search engine with particular terms.
Test new navigation paths with users.
- Use tree testing procedures with both internal and external users to ensure that improvements are improving the experience.
- Put together focus groups. Ask them to find anything on the site and see how they search without interrupting, then alter the site navigation appropriately.
- Encourage test groups to discuss their experiences out loud as they move through them.
Make sure that UX designers are involved in redoing the informational architecture of your website.
Final Say!
By following these guidelines, companies may improve the experience for people by making it simpler to browse and access information on government websites. A more user-friendly website design leads to more trust, fewer phone calls and requests for help, and more contented residents.