Below are some of the user experience, or UX, issues the digital experience team commonly notes when reviewing a website. Units should review their website content and design and be sure to avoid these common pitfalls. Units with questions can contact Katie Kelly in University Communications and Marketing to request guidance.
Much, if not most, of a website’s traffic is coming from a mobile device. A great website will be designed with this traffic in mind. Navigation should be easy to access and buttons large enough to easily tap. The stacked order of components should put priority components at the top of the page on mobile so users can avoid long scrolls. Unnecessary elements can be hidden on mobile view. Ensure that CTAs remain visible.
Ensure all content meets accessibility standards. Take care to choose background images that meet color contrast tests with their text overlay. Include alt text on images. View the Accessible Content page for more information.
Follow MSU’s web standards for site masthead to link to the msu.edu website. Link to the unit homepage from the website name. Use breadcrumb navigation links on webpages to help users know where they are within a website.
Too many options or unclear labels on the main navigation bar can cause cognitive overload and make selection overwhelming. Users don’t know where to start when looking for content. Keep is easy.
When a drop-down filter has too many options, the menu can take over the screen on mobile. For this reason, keep any drop-downs to ten or fewer items.
Determine the most important goals for a website or webpage. Anticipate users’ top questions and needs. Make it easy to find this content in as few clicks as possible. The links should be easy to find and readily identifiable.
The most important content should be at or near the top of a webpage. In the print world this used to be called “above the fold.” In the digital world content authors can think of the fold as being the bottom of the first screen view, without scrolling. Do not bury content in accordions if the page is short enough that an accordion is unnecessary; use a table of contents overview instead.
When linking to another website, including when linking to another MSU unit website, it should be clear that the user is leaving the website. The link should lead to a page that makes sense in the user’s journey. Do not link to the unit’s homepage and expect the user to find their way. If necessary, create an interstitial page on the unit’s website that explains the context of the transition, next steps and then links to the other website.
Complete metadata and open graph fields to ensure the content is optimized for search and social sharing. Ensure pages are allowed to be indexed if search engines should find the content.
Content on a page should be relevant to the target audience for that page. For example, pages designed for prospective students (e.g., Explore Programs) should not have content that does not support this journey.
Use the content inventory, audit and priority guide to plan effective content for a website.
Review best practices for crafting website user experiences.
Documentation updated: Nov. 1, 2024