Myth #1: Web Design is the Appearance of the Site
For some reason, most people perceive web design as just the creation of a beautiful appearance for a website. But the design of the site is, above all, its functionality with correct and well-thought-out structure and architecture.
The purposes of the design – to work effectively, solve problems and interact with the user.
And what would make things right? The designers have to spend many hours thinking and testing different ideas, making prototypes, creating mock-ups, and even conducting usability tests.
Myth #2: The Design Must Be Original
There is no need to waste time reinventing the wheel. There are numerous common-design practice sites that have long been tested and work fine. Users are accustomed to them, they like easy things. If you want to use a non-standard solution, you need to be 100% sure that it is appropriate. You also want to note the original icons. All too often, designers use too many original metaphors.
The choice of what will be on the icon – it is always a choice between being already recognized and originality.
Selecting the wrong ones and using unrecognizable metaphors can lead to an absolute lack of understanding on the destination icons, especially if they are not signed. Perhaps the best solution would be to do what users are accustomed to.
Myth #3: Users will not Scroll Pages
The myth of not scrolling pages arose from the past, mainly when users just had a mouse wheel to scroll, and they had to pinch the cursor on the slider that was located on the side of the screen and pull – not very convenient. Nowadays, mouse scrolling is quite familiar and considered standard by all users. However, you still need to follow some rules on design and provide interesting material that motivates the user to scroll your pages.
And of course, do not forget that the information that is viewable before scrolling is what always gets maximum attention and influences the decision about viewing the whole page.
Myth #4: People Read Everything on the Internet
Reading a page in its entirety is a huge misconception. Users simply scan the page and view the text, dwelling on emphasized content, meaningful headers, allocated phrases, photos etc. Very rarely does the viewer grasp the meaning of each word, except in a case of strong interest or reading for pleasure. If a person finds the information they needed after a quick look at the page, they might examine it in more detail. If not, they leave the page. With this in mind, you never need to “pour the water.”
The text should be meaningful and properly organized (divided into sub-headings, with the placed accents in the text on the most important information, and accompanied by photo content) and the page should be legible with a clear structure and hierarchy.
Myth #5: The Higher Amount of and Wider Variety of Functions, The Higher the Satisfaction
It is often accepted that when there is choice, it is good. But the more variety of functions on the website or in the program, the more difficult the interface may be to understand.
Studies show that a large number of alternative solutions usually stimulate irritation. Usually, people appreciate a wide range of functions before using a product. But when they begin to use it, a lower amount of choices provides greater satisfaction.
In conclusion, DO NOT force users to think as often as you can, simplify the interface and do not create the user “aircraft control panel“.
