User experience (UX) is no longer just the domain of designers. For digital marketers, understanding and optimising UX can mean the difference between a bounce and a conversion. In today’s customer-centric world, a seamless, intuitive experience is essential for building trust, increasing engagement, and driving sales.

This article breaks down actionable UX tips every marketer should implement to elevate website performance and deliver better results.

Know Your Audience’s Behaviour

Before optimising, understand how users interact with your site. Use analytics tools like:

  • Google Analytics 4 for behaviour flow and exit rates
  • Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity for heatmaps and session recordings
  • Surveys or feedback tools like Typeform to collect direct user input

Tip: Identify friction points or drop-off areas in key conversion paths.

Simplify Navigation and Reduce Clicks

Users shouldn’t have to dig to find what they need. A well-structured, intuitive navigation keeps users engaged.

Best practices:

  • Use clear labels (avoid jargon)
  • Keep menus under 7 primary options
  • Include a prominent search function

Pro tip: Implement breadcrumb trails for deeper content structures to keep users oriented.

Optimise for Mobile First

With mobile traffic surpassing desktop in most industries, mobile UX is non-negotiable.

What to focus on:

  • Responsive design that adapts to all screen sizes
  • Larger clickable areas and buttons
  • Compress images and eliminate slow-loading scripts

“Every extra second of load time can reduce conversions by up to 20%.” — Google

Prioritise Page Speed and Core Web Vitals

Performance directly impacts UX and SEO. Google uses Core Web Vitals as a ranking factor.

Optimisation steps:

  • Use tools like PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse to audit performance
  • Implement lazy loading for images
  • Use a CDN to deliver assets faster
  • Minimise third-party scripts and plugins

See also: Beginner’s Guide to Technical SEO

Streamline CTAs and Forms

Don’t make users guess the next step. Your calls-to-action (CTAs) should be clear, visible, and compelling.

CTA best practices:

  • Use action-oriented language (e.g. “Get Your Free Quote”)
  • Limit forms to essential fields (Name, Email, 1-2 qualifiers)
  • Use smart defaults and auto-fill features

Tip: A/B test CTA placement, size, and copy regularly.

Build Trust Through Design and Messaging

UX isn’t just functional – it’s emotional. Small signals build credibility and keep users comfortable.

Trust builders:

  • Testimonials and reviews
  • SSL certificates and trust badges
  • Clear policies (returns, privacy)
  • Professional branding and consistent tone of voice

What This Means for Marketers

Marketers who prioritise UX gain a competitive edge. Better UX means:

  • Higher conversion rates
  • Lower bounce rates
  • Improved SEO performance
  • Greater customer loyalty

Remember, every small improvement to UX compounds over time.