50: Designer, Developer, or Do It Yourselfer: A Guide to UX & UI for Squarespace

business

Jul 11

Written By insidethesquare

LISTEN ON APPLE POCASTS

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

EPISODE SUMMARY

A User-Friendly Guide to UX and UI for Squarespace Users

What are UX and UI?

UX stands for User Experience, which refers to how users interact with and experience your website. Think of it as the user's journey through your site – is it smooth sailing or a frustrating maze? UI stands for User Interface, which focuses on the visual elements like colors, fonts, and layout.

Building a Strong Foundation: Clear Purpose and Organization

A great website starts with a clear purpose. Every element, from the navigation to the call-to-action buttons, should guide users towards your desired outcome. Once you have that purpose established, organization becomes key.

Here are some tips for keeping your Squarespace site organized:

Simple Navigation: Make it easy for users to find what they're looking for with clear and concise menus.
Headings and Subheadings: Break up your content with headings and subheadings to create a clear hierarchy and guide users to the most important information.

Creating a Cohesive Look: Consistency in UI Design

Consistency is the name of the game when it comes to UI design. Here's how to achieve a cohesive look:

Font Styles: Use the same font styles for headings, paragraphs, and other elements throughout your site.
Iconography: Maintain a consistent style for icons to create a sense of familiarity.
Layout and Color Scheme: Strive for consistency in layout and color scheme to reinforce your brand identity.

Pro Tip: Squarespace is designed to help you achieve consistency! Take advantage of the built-in font and style options.

Beyond Consistency: Visual Hierarchy and User Guidance

While consistency is important, don't be afraid to use visual hierarchy to guide users to specific information. Here's how:

Size, Color, and Spacing: Use these elements strategically to draw attention to the most important content on your page. Headings should be larger and bolder than body text, and you can use contrasting colors to make certain elements stand out.

The Takeaway: Balancing Functionality and Aesthetics

The best Squarespace websites find a balance between functionality and aesthetics. By following these UX and UI design principles, you can create a website that's not only beautiful but also incredibly user-friendly. Check out the resources linked below to learn more about UX and UI design for Squarespace.

Learn CSS for Squarespace: insidethesquare.co/learn
Website with cool cursor effect (hover over the yellow section on the homepage to see the subtle spotlight that I love): simontbailey.com
My favorite UX/UI YouTuber: youtube.com/jesseShowalter