How can I simplify my website? Simple steps to keep your website visitors

Are you frustrated when you visit a website that's cluttered, busy, unfocused, and distracting with too many design elements, too many things to look at, and too many links to click? Your website should be easy to use and focus on your purpose existing.

To make your website simple and keep more visitors on your website be certain your design uses only the necessary elements. Only the informational elements that are absolutely necessary for a particular page should be kept. In other words, keep it simple and get to the point. Let me show you what I mean.

Here are four examples of popular search engines ranked from simplest to most cluttered and distracting.

1. Google

google

It's pretty clear that google wins for a reason.

Not only do they often produce the best search results, but they get to the point.

Consider all that you do and think about how you can bring people to the point of each piece of information as quickly as possible.

2. DuckDuckGo

duckduckgo

It bothers me that DuckDuckGo has junked up their search pages with the panels beneath the search bar about privacy concerns.

If I visit their DuckDuckGo I'm there to do a private search. I'm already sold. So leave the privacy sales pitch for an internal page. If it's really important to you put that kind of page behind a link at the top or bottom of the home page.

3. Bing

bing

I ranked Bing third because they use a distracting photo background for the home page. They also show distracting images across the bottom pointing to news items. There's also and pop up a banner to get you to download their Edge browser.

Again, if I visit Bing I'm there to search. I don't want your browser and I don't need your links to your news articles.

This is another example of prioritizing your design for simplicity. If it's really important for your website visitors to have access to this information put it behind a text link from the bottom of the page or maybe a top bar menu. Or include it on another page that's that's suited to its topic and already linked to. I've written about how much information a website should contain.

4. Yahoo

yahoo

What in the world, Yahoo? Are you really a search engine? Or are you a news aggregator?

Use this as an example of what not to do on your website.

What is your website about? Make up your mind and get to the point. If it's not absolutely necessary to your mission get rid of it.

Keep your website simple and your website visitors will be grateful and they're more likely to click the links you offer them to your most important content.



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