Usability can be defined as the ease that users have to navigate and interact on a web page. In this sense, aspects such as font size, loading speed, ease of carrying out actions, or the layout of the menus, among other things, become important. All these elements play a key role in the positive or negative perception of users.

For web pages to generate a good user experience, it is necessary to work on usability.

In a previous post, we told you the 5 keys to achieving a positive user experience on your website with book illustration services. Today we focus on the 2021 web usability trends that emphasize eliminating obstacles when browsing.

Next, we tell you which the main ones are.

1. Simplicity

Our world of 2021 is turning us into hurried consumers: we seek the maximum content, with the minimum expression. That is designs with fewer elements, simplified but effective.

Prioritize what is essential

We will see more and more web pages in which only the essential is shown, omitting texts and images that do not contribute anything. These exclusively “decorative” elements only serve to distract the user’s attention. The extensive contents are reserved for those users interested in learning more, so they are kept in the background.

Users value simple, functional and attractive experiences positively.

Eliminate cognitive load

The cognitive load occurs as a result of making users face confusing web pages, with innovative designs too, too many choices, or redundant actions. All these black spots in web design reduce effectiveness and produce a negative perception in the user experience.

Users prefer:

  • Balance and elegance in the face of noise.
  • Eliminate distractions and avoid ambiguities.
  • Get rid of distractions.
  • A focus of attention on the screen, that the message is clear and without distractions.
  • Simple and clean images, with few elements that do not break with the design of the web.
  • Subtle and essential animations that are not too distracting.

Therefore, white and empty space is still king. If you want something to work, surround it with nothing. Minimalism is a trend that focuses on the essentials has a long life.

Simplify forms

It’s not just about not asking for irrelevant information. Forms are improved by preventing users from having to repeat their email twice or having to create a strong password with many requirements (combining numbers with uppercase and lowercase letters, for example). The goal is to keep the registration and authentication phases to a minimum to improve the user experience.

Also, the forms should offer essential options. For example, those that force you to mark the reason for a query in a drop-down should be avoided.

2. Design to read

Large typefaces

Increasingly, larger font size is being used to facilitate reading and thus attract the attention of the user. The use of typography with large and bold fonts is widely used to increase the readability and readability of the contents.

Highly readable sites share these techniques:

  • Simple and clear typefaces with a serif or sans serif options, including regular weights and uniform kerning.
  • Text size is slightly larger than expected, often starting at 16 points for normal text.
  • Spacing between paragraphs exaggerated.
  • Blocks of text are surrounded by large margins with lots of white space

Creative use of bold

Bold, extra bold: bold is on the rise.