Supercharge Your Website: A Clear Guide to UX Audits

In today’s digital world, a smooth and enjoyable user experience (UX) is no longer a luxury, it’s essential. Folks expect websites and apps to be easy to use and navigate, with journeys that fit their needs. To stand out from the crowd, a positive UX is key.

This guide, brought to you by Axiom Online, a leading digital marketing agency, helps you conduct a complete UX audit. We’ll equip you with the knowledge and tools to assess your website or app’s usability, identify areas for improvement, and create a user-centred online presence that gets results.

Why Do a UX Audit?

There are many benefits to doing a UX audit, such as:

• Happier Users: A good audit finds problems that make using your website or app frustrating. By fixing these issues, you can make it easier to use, which leads to more people sticking around and taking action (like buying something).
• Better Brand Image: When users have a positive experience, they’re more likely to trust and remember your brand. Doing a UX audit shows you care about user satisfaction and that you’re professional.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Audits give you valuable information on how people use your website or app. This data can help you make informed choices about website design, features, and content, leading to better performance based on real-world use.
• More Money Back: A better user experience often means more sales, happier customers, and ultimately, a higher return on investment for your online efforts.

The UX Audit Process: Step-by-Step

Doing a complete UX audit involves several steps, as explained by Axiom Online’s UX specialists:

1. Set Goals and Scope: Before you start, figure out what you want to achieve with the audit (more user engagement, higher sales, etc.). You also need to decide which parts of your website or app will be evaluated (overall usability, specific features, content effectiveness) and who will be involved (your team or Axiom Online’s UX experts).

2. Gather Data and Analytics: Data is your friend in a UX audit. Existing website traffic data, user behaviour information, and conversion rates can show you how people interact with your website and where they might be having trouble. Here are some resources to consider, with insights from Axiom Online:

• Website Analytics Tools: Tools like Google Analytics give you detailed data on user traffic, demographics, and behaviour on your website. Axiom Online can help you understand this data and spot key trends.
• Heatmaps & Session Recordings: Heatmaps show you where users click, move their mouse, and scroll. Session recordings capture what users actually do on your website, giving you a window into their experience. Partnering with Axiom Online lets you use advanced heatmap tools and gain deeper insights from recordings.
• User Feedback Surveys: Get user feedback directly through surveys and usability testing conducted by Axiom Online. This gives you valuable insights into what users find frustrating and what they prefer.

3. Do a Heuristic Evaluation: This involves checking your website or app against established usability principles. Axiom Online’s UX experts can do this for you, ensuring a thorough and objective evaluation. Here are some popular UX principles:

• Clear System Status: Users should always know what’s happening with the website or app.
• Match the Real World: The system should use language users understand and concepts they’re familiar with.
• User Control: Users should be able to explore freely and fix mistakes easily.
• Consistency: Keep UI elements, navigation, and language consistent throughout your website or app.

4. Conduct Usability Testing: This involves watching real users interact with your website or app. Axiom Online can conduct moderated usability testing sessions, where a facilitator guides users through pre-defined tasks and gathers their feedback. This can be done in person or remotely, providing valuable insights into user behaviour and thought processes.