Designing a website is no easy task. A poor user experience on any website can cause users to leave the site quickly or not complete the purchase process.
That’s why UX/UI design is so important, as it greatly improves the user experience. They are very similar, but in reality, one refers to the user experience (UX) and the other focuses on the more rational side of navigation (UI). Both aim to help the user find what they are looking for in the shortest time possible while enjoying a good experience on the website.
Let’s start with a brief description of what this great methodology means:
What is UX Design?
UX Design (user experience design) focuses on how the user feels while navigating your website or the digital service your company offers.
3 fundamental aspects a website should meet:
- Usability
- Accessibility
- Interaction
What does a UX designer do?
A UX designer, or user experience designer, is a professional dedicated to improving the experience users have when interacting with digital products, services, or systems. A UX designer’s work involves several aspects and stages, as outlined below.
UX Development Stages
1. Research and Analysis Phase (research)
To start any project, it is necessary to study everything related to the product or sector, gathering as much relevant information as possible. Don’t forget that in this phase, objectives and strategy are defined.
Types of studies:
- Market research
- Business Model Canvas
- Surveys
- Journey Map
- Heuristic analysis
- Concept Map
2. Organization
After research, the information and content must be organized and structured using architecture maps and navigation schemes to organize all the information gathered in the previous stage through:
- Navigation maps
- Architecture maps
- Flowcharts
3. Wireframes
This is the part of the process where you start sketching a model of how the user interface will look. Later, the UI designer can build the visual framework more easily.
- Define screens (prototypes or diagrams)
- Define services and functionalities
- Create high-level prototypes simulating user interactivity
4. Testing
In this stage, proposals are tested using high-fidelity prototypes. The goal of user testing is to identify and recognize errors in the navigation process.
5. Design
In this final stage, UI designers receive all the information and wireframes along with the client’s visual identity guide. The style guide, iconography, and typography are defined.
What is UI Design?
UI Design (user interface design) refers to the user interface—the final result the user sees when they enter your website. In other words, UI is the graphical interface.
UI is the ‘look & feel’ of the product combined with the interaction and structure of the interface elements.
Tools for UX/UI Design
There are various tools that allow designers to create basic design and interactivity from prototypes.
- Figma: An online collaborative tool where multiple users can work in real-time.
- Adobe XD: Allows creation of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and design for web and mobile apps.
- InVision: An online app that helps generate web designs in a simple and agile way, accessible to any online designer.
- Zeplin: A collaborative tool for designers and developers.
- Miro: An educational platform that allows creation of visual diagrams, templates, and charts collaboratively through a digital whiteboard.
Advantages of UX in early design stages
- Reduction of maintenance costs
- Time optimization, as good design helps clearly define product development stages
- Increase in conversions, transactions, and sales
- Higher product sales and website traffic
- Improved user retention, purchase frequency, and bounce rate
- Better lead conversion
Now that you understand the difference between UI and UX design, you know that applying them to your website strengthens your digital strategy.
At Dos Setenta, we have a team specialized in web design and development that works to deliver the best service and results. What do we achieve through our web design? Secure projects that load fast, are mobile-friendly, and have a fully reviewed structure—not only visually appealing but also functional, high-performing, and conversion-oriented using all our know-how.
