Web design has evolved significantly since the early days of the internet, when pages were merely collections of text with hyperlinks. Today, sites are expected to be visually appealing, but they must also offer a superior user experience (UX). However, many designers still underestimate the importance of factors such as usability, accessibility, and interactivity, focusing solely on aesthetics. This can be a critical mistake. User experience is a determining factor in the success of a website. According to a study by the Nielsen Norman Group, 88% of users are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience. In this way, it is not only essential to offer an attractive design, but also a functional and accessible one for all users.

Usability: The Heart of the Web Experience

#Usability can be defined as the extent to which a product can be used by specific users to achieve specific goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a particular context. Jakob Nielsen argues that usability is essential for creating successful products. Usability should not be confused with simplicity. Although both concepts are related, one does not necessarily imply the other. Usability focuses primarily on how logical and coherent a site is for the end user.

Accessibility: Expanding the Reach

You cannot talk about user experience without mentioning accessibility. A good web design is one that takes into account the needs of people with disabilities such as visual, auditory, or motor limitations. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) offer international standards for improving the accessibility of web content. Criteria: Description. For example, provide alternative text for images.OperableThe interface and navigation components must be usable. An example would be offering alternatives to using the mouse, such as keyboard commands.UnderstandableThe information and operation of the interface must be understandable. This includes avoiding technical jargon and using clear and concise language.RobustContent should be robust enough to be read by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

Ensuring everyone can interact with your website not only improves UX but also avoids potential legal implications from non-compliance with these regulations.

Interactivity: Engaging the User

But even with good design and accessibility properly implemented, you won\'t retain users if your site lacks interactive elements that motivate them to continue browsing. Incorporating well-planned interactive features, such as subtle animations or surveys within the site, allows you to better capture attention and increase the average time spent by visitors. However, it is important to avoid excesses by using too many dynamic elements, as they can cause unnecessary distractions, slow down the overall loading time, and potentially lead to negative frustration.

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