Form Your Own Futre: UX Principles to Increase Your Website’s Social Presence

Not all websites are created equal. Some grab users within minutes, while others completely flop. The first moments a person enters a website is detrimental are its success. In those pivotal seconds, users have an immediate need and are eager to find a solution, experience features, and interact. If the site doesn’t meet their expectations in these moments, the user is likely gone forever.

So what makes a website fantastic enough to withstand the initial scrutiny? One simple but often overlooked factor is insightful UX design. UX design (or User Experience Design) is creating a product based on the actual needs and behaviors of the individuals who will use it. For most websites, great user experience is not only attributed to the design itself, but also the social experience the site can provide.

If a site is clunky, counterintuitive, and lacks interactive elements, the user experience is quite poor, and as a result, people will most likely press the dreaded “back” button. In contrast, when a site is sleek, well-organized, socially oriented, and involves very little action from the user – user experience is high and therefore, much more likely to engage users. So if you want your site to truly connect with your users, keep these UX tips in mind in order to provide the ultimate social experience:

1. Visually Emphasize your Blog

As you probably know, blogging is a quintessential social tool for any site. If your blog is a constant, reliable source of clear and valuable content, people will flock to it in order to educate themselves on the latest trends, tips, and news you provide. Furthermore, if you distinguish your brand as the number one resource for a specific topic, you can easily attain a readership so strong that they will live and breathe your brand. TedX is an excellent example of this. These two brands are so linked with their content and the knowledge they spread, that they have almost become synonymous with it.

As important as your content itself is, if it is not easily discoverable on your site, it doesn’t really do you much good. Therefore, Make sure your blog visually stands out by emphasizing it on your menu. It should never be placed under the “News” section. Instead, give it a proper and visually distinguished placement almost as distinct as your call-to-action. This way, you give your blog a stage to get noticed, the first step to building your credibility as a brand.

2. Designate Places for Discussions

Every UX designer knows that all elements of a site should be clear, easy to use, and accessible. This goes for your conversational features as well. Having a two-way discussion is a necessity for all websites. The fact is, people are much more willing to play an active role in your brand if there are ways for them to feel involved. Providing a comments section signifies to your users that the discussion is not over once the blog is read. Instead, they have the opportunity to add thoughts or even argue with the premise if they feel information is flawed.

To incorporate UX into this social element, make sure your comments section is strategically placed right under the blog itself. In addition, encouraging comments within the text of your blog gives your users further reason to notice and interact with this exciting feature. Remember, logic and ease of use is extremely important for social and nonsocial features alike, so make your comments section prominent in order to ensure it gives you the social credibility you deserve.

3. Give A Personal Touch

With the creation of social networks, hiding behind the anonymity of the internet has lost its appeal. Many people have no problem putting their full name out there along with pictures of where they go and what they do. So give your users the option to get personal. Let them create a profile or identity card and upload a display picture. This way, when your users make comments on your blog or forum, they get recognition for their expertise, which in turn gives them a role and makes them feel important.

Take the personal element one step further by encouraging users that speak out frequently. Such actions give people more of an incentive to comment and greatly contributes to forming an online community. At the same time, it also provides your brand with a free spokesperson, which can only go to your benefit. Finally, get your users to talk to one another. While its great that your users interact with you, conversations that flourish without a push from you is the ultimate test of your site’s social prowess.

4. Actions Speak Louder than Words

We’re a society that craves constant activity. If we are not entertained, we will move on to the next best option. This is why your site needs to feature actionable elements such as easy sharing, a rating system, and “likes”.

Sharing gives your users the opportunity to connect with others. Since this personal connection is something that is an inherent part of human nature, making this connection easier to attain gives your users more reason to become loyal to your site. So place your sharing mechanism prominently on your site and make sure it is easy to use. Monarch and Shareaholic are two of our favorites options for WordPress.

Additionally, rating systems and “likes” also give your users the opportunity to give further feedback on your content. This makes them feel involved in your online community while also entertaining them with actionable activities.

As you know, your onsite social features go hand-in-hand with user experience. Since your users are always looking for ways to connect and stay active online, providing them with easy and approachable ways to do so should be top priority. By infusing your site with onsite social elements, you bring activity, engagement, and community to your site without outsourcing these important resources elsewhere. This way, your site grows in credibility while also strengthening user-satisfaction and impact.

So, there you have it, four principles to better your website. Do you use UX in increasing your social presence? Share in the comments below!

Nadav About the Author: Nadav Shoval is the CEO & Co-Founder of Spot.IM, an on-site community that brings the power back to the publisher. Prior to Spot.IM, Nadav has developed and founded 4 technology startups. Nadav is a technology erudite and a sports addict.