Boo! Is your website leaving visitors terrified... and not in the good Halloween spirit? Whether it’s slow loading times, tricky navigation, or a ghostly absence of mobile responsiveness, poor usability can haunt your website’s performance.
But don’t worry—there’s a way to scare off those spooky issues and turn your website into a treat for users!
At Surge, we’ve seen it all. From websites that lag like a zombie to pages so cluttered they give users nightmares, we know the tricks to transform your digital space into something delightful.
So, grab your flashlight, and let’s dive into the dark corners of your site to uncover its usability horrors—and how to fix them!
The Ghost of Speed Issues
Ever clicked on a website, only to wait...and wait? Slow load times are a surefire way to scare off visitors. In fact, most users expect a site to load in just two seconds. Any slower, and poof, they’re gone—off to find something faster.
Trick: Run a performance audit using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. Compress your images, cut out unnecessary scripts, and optimise server response times. The faster your site, the happier (and less frustrated) your visitors will be.
Treat: You’ll see increased engagement and lower bounce rates, meaning people stick around longer to enjoy what your site has to offer.
The Haunted Mobile Experience
With over half of web traffic coming from mobile, if your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re in for some real fright. Pinching, zooming, and awkward menus send users running faster than a ghost at midnight.
Trick: Ensure your website is fully responsive. A “hamburger” menu can simplify navigation, and buttons should be big enough for even the clumsiest thumbs.
Treat: A seamless mobile experience means more visitors will stay on your site, whether they’re on a tablet, smartphone, or even a smartwatch!
SEO Skeletons in the Closet
The scariest SEO mistake? Letting it rot away unnoticed. 1,000% more traffic comes from organic search than social media, so if you’re not investing in SEO, you’re leaving a lot on the table.
Trick: Conduct an SEO audit. Check for broken links, optimise your keywords, and update any stale content. Make sure you’re using alt text for images and that your meta descriptions are as irresistible as a candy bowl on Halloween.
Treat: Boosted rankings mean more traffic—without having to shell out for ads.
User Experience: Trick or Treat?
A website should be as easy to navigate as a well-lit pumpkin trail. If users are getting lost or frustrated, that’s a sign something’s not right. Good User Experience (UX) is the difference between a site that converts and one that leaves visitors howling for the exit.
Trick: Focus on intuitive navigation, clear calls-to-action, and a layout that’s easy to follow. Make sure everything from buttons to forms is optimised for the best possible user journey.
Treat: A happy user is a loyal user. Great UX means higher conversion rates and a more enjoyable experience for your visitors.
Accessibility for All Ghouls and Goblins
Not all users are the same, and making your website accessible means everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy your content. Yet, less than 10% of websites are fully accessible! That’s a pretty big oversight.
Trick: Check your website’s accessibility with tools like WAVE or Axe. Make sure text is readable, contrast is strong, and all images have descriptive alt text. Don’t forget to ensure your site is navigable with just a keyboard!
Treat: Inclusivity isn’t just good for business—it’s the right thing to do. Plus, accessible websites often rank better on search engines!
Security: Fending Off the Website Vampires
If your website security is lacking, you’re basically inviting the vampires (read: hackers) in. And they’ll suck your data dry. With 94 attacks on the average website every day, you don’t want to leave the door open.
Trick: Regularly update your software and plugins, and make sure you’ve got a firewall in place. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to keep out unwanted visitors.
Treat: Peace of mind. You’ll sleep easy knowing your site is protected from the latest threats.
Content: A Monster You Can’t Ignore
Outdated content is like Frankenstein’s monster—it's a patchwork of information that doesn’t quite fit together. Regularly refreshing your content keeps it alive and relevant to your audience.
Trick: Use Google Analytics to see which pages are performing and which are collecting dust. Update any outdated information, broken links, or irrelevant pages.
Treat: Fresh, engaging content keeps visitors coming back for more—and boosts your SEO rankings!
