What is UX design and why does it matter?

At its core, UX (User Experience) design is about creating websites and apps that people find simple, smooth, and enjoyable to use. The majority of New Zealanders access the internet through smartphones, so website loading speed and mobile screen compatibility become essential factors. A well-designed interface will keep visitors engaged and encourage them to take action, but a poor experience may cause them to leave and not return, which increases bounce rates.

Less is more

Let’s be honest, no-one likes clutter, right!? Most people want clean and simple layouts with clear calls-to-action and straightforward navigation. Think of Trade Me’s listing process or Air New Zealand’s booking process. Simple designs that remain simple for happy users.

Accessibility and inclusivity in Aotearoa

Good UX means creating websites that everyone can use with ease. Whether it’s someone with vision difficulties, an elderly person looking for local info, or a member of a Māori community wanting services in te reo. Simple design like using scalable fonts and strong colour contrast makes your website accessible to everyone. Imagine someone using a screen reader to book a council service, they should be able to do it with ease. Accessibility isn’t just a “nice-to-have”, it’s essential.

6 out of 10 website visits in New Zealand happen on a mobile device. That’s why every site must be mobile-friendly. Users will immediately leave your site if it does not function properly on mobile devices which will raise your bounce rate and reduce potential engagement.

Visual hierarchy and consistency

Most users don’t read every single word on a website, they just scan. That’s why having well-defined and organised visual structure is essential. Elements like well-placed headings, highlighted buttons, and a visual flow helps visitors find exactly what they’re looking for.

Woolworths serves as a superb local example. The website maintains the same appealing quality which matches the brand identity through its consistent typography and soothing colour scheme, with approachable language that matches their packaging and social media content. The consistent branding across all touchpoints creates familiarity which results in trust.

UX isn’t just about looks

In today’s fast-paced digital era, New Zealanders expect instant results. Your customers will leave and never return if your website takes longer than seconds to load. Speed isn’t just about convenience, it directly affects users’ experience of your website, your place in search rankings, and your conversion rates. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and Core Web Vitals can help you identify what is slowing your website down, whether it's oversized images, poor hosting, or a mistake in your code.

Remember, users won’t wait for your site to load – they’ll simply click away to a competitor. Fast websites deliver better usability which maintains user interest and increases the chances of users taking action.