Why layout matters on your website

10 March, 2024

Your website layout is one of the most critical elements of your online presence.

Not only does it determine how easily visitors can navigate your site, but it also influences your search engine rankings. In this post, we’ll explore why layout matters and how to design for a better user experience that can boost your visibility online.

why layout matters on your website

Why is layout so important?

Your website layout plays a dual role in helping visitors stay engaged and supporting your SEO. Let’s look at both:

1. User experience: If visitors struggle to find what they’re looking for or feel overwhelmed by cluttered pages, they’ll leave – often for good. A clean, intuitive layout keeps visitors on your site longer, increases interaction and improves the chances they’ll return.

2. SEO impact: Search engines reward user-friendly sites with higher rankings. This means a well-designed, easy-to-navigate layout doesn’t just please visitors – it can also help you rank better in search results.

How people read on the web vs. print

The way we consume information on a screen is different from how we read printed material. While reading printed text, we typically follow a Z-pattern, reading from left to right before moving down a few lines to repeat the motion.

However, when scanning web pages, most people read in an F-pattern, as discovered by Dr. Jakob Nielsen’s research. Here’s a breakdown of this F-pattern behaviour:

1. Top bar of the “F”: First, readers scan the upper part of the content horizontally.

2. Lower bar of the “F”: Next, they move down and scan a shorter section horizontally, forming the second line of the F.

3. Vertical stem of the “F”: Finally, readers move vertically down the left side of the content, forming the F’s stem.

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Key takeaways for designing your layout

Knowing this F-pattern can help you design layouts that engage visitors more effectively. Here are some actionable tips:

1. Prioritise important information: Place the most important content at the top of your page. Your key messages, offers or calls-to-action should be in the first two paragraphs, where they are most likely to capture attention.

2. Break up text: Make content easier to scan by using headings, subheadings, bullet points and other formatting tools. This guides the reader’s eye and prevents them from feeling overwhelmed.

3. Use descriptive headings: Ensure your headings are informative, creative and include relevant keywords. This not only helps readers find information quickly but also aids SEO.

4. Guide readers on a journey: Think of your page as a path for readers to follow. Subtle signals like headings, highlighted keywords and spacing can lead visitors from one section to the next seamlessly.

5. Write in short paragraphs and sentences: Dense blocks of text can be intimidating. Short sentences and paragraphs are easier to digest and more inviting to read.

6. Add plenty of white space: White space around text offers visual breaks and makes your content feel more accessible. Think of it as breathing room that keeps readers from feeling visually overloaded.

By applying these principles, you can create a website layout that not only makes information easy to find but also encourages visitors to stay longer and engage more deeply with your content.

Remember, a well-structured layout is a crucial component of an effective website – it’s both visually inviting and functionally efficient, helping you connect with visitors and build trust from the moment they land on your page.

If you’re ready to create a website that not only looks great but is also designed to perform, contact me today. I’d love to help you build a website that brings your vision to life and makes a lasting impression on your audience!

website designer
Hi there!

I’m Uta –
Brand and Website Designer for small businesses and solopreneurs.

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