You likely have people on your team that are passionate about user experience (UX). Others, likely on the marketing team, understand the potential that a site has when it entails good SEO practices.
Believe it or not, these two concepts of great web design are more connected than you might think. While some see the two as necessary parts of a modern digital experience, search engines and users alike see them as a must if you want to cultivate an impactful audience.
I’m going to lay out three things to know about the link between UX design and SEO. But first, how are these two things actually connected?
How are UX Design and SEO Connected?
Search engine optimization is the act of crafting your website in a way that makes search engines see your content as “rich.” This includes well-written copy, easy to navigate menus, and more. UX, on the other hand, is all about the details that go into a website, including actual CSS as well as metatext and more.
A startup branding agency that specializes in either will tell you that they’re connected through one thing: the user. Audiences want a site to be fast and efficient as well as pleasing to the eye and easy to follow. That’s why focusing on both elements is crucial to building a great site. Here are three specifics to know.
Three Things to Know About UX Design and SEO
Helpful Headers
We all know that H1s, H2s, and so on matter a lot to a site’ SEO score. What you might be surprised to learn is that this also helps with UX design. Sometimes, it feels like meeting SEO criteria takes away the human element to creativity in design. Adding in headers might seem like you’re just making the search engines happy, but users like headers too.
Headers are one of the most effective ways to help users navigate a site.
Better Website Performance and Load Times
The cool thing about UX design is that it takes place on both a visual, visceral level as well as a technical one. Users today expect things to look clean and enjoyable to explore. They also want things to be fast and easy to navigate. That’s why UX design and page performance go hand in hand.
If a site looks good visually, then users will be happy. That said, if the site runs slow, then you’ll lose out on a lot of traffic. SEO helps with speed thanks to the readiness for search engines to connect users to your site. SEO requires websites to enlist easy to read and follow menus, use links strategically, and avoid an abundance of widgets that slow sites down. All of this also helps make for good UX design. The two are perfect partners in building a good website.
Ignore SEO, and Good UX Doesn’t Matter
By this point in the article, I hope the point is across that UX design and SEO are inherently connected. It can’t go unsaid, however, that while they are connected, SEO is still ignored from time to time by designers. It’s a huge misstep, particularly because SEO isn’t just about the search engines. UX design and SEO are both impactful on a user’s perspective. Even if a good user experience is created for a website, the lack of clear headers, optimized websites, and easy to navigate menus and blogs are going to hinder what a web experience can accomplish.
SEO and UX are a pair that rely on one another to thrive. Be sure not to ignore the link between the two! Your website and audience will be thankful you put time into both when all is said and done.
