’s usability test showed better results through improved usability, scannable content and objective copywriting.
Make it easier for readers to consume most of your content. Highlight keywords, use appropriate headings, write concise sentences and paragraphs, get to the point quickly, and utilize lists and bullet points.
First Impressions Form Quickly
It only takes 2.6 seconds for users to form their first impressions—from the moment their eyes land on a specific area of a page. That something specific can be a button, an image or a social media icon. It can by anything.
Research have shown that the better the first impression, the longer users stay on page. The point is simple. It’s to take really good care of the details to make a good impression.
Big Headlines Draw the Eye First
Dominant headlines, especially when placed in the upper left corner, typically draw the eyes first. In fact, they are also tend to capture attention faster than images.
Make the most out of your headlines. Make them meaningful to help your learners find the content they need easily. Keep them relevant, simple, concise and irresistible.
Important Stuff Comes First
How you order list or arrange content is crucial in keeping users engaged. Readers’ ability to focus and retain information are lower in the middle. But their attention and retention are highest in the beginning and end.
The way users scan and skim offers another explanation. People tend to scan the first and the last items—information which are likely to stay in their short-term memory.
The “inverted pyramid” writing style seems to be a good fit for online readers. Structuring your screens this way means placing important information at the top (What's in for them?), then supporting it with the sentences that follow.
Visuals can Enhance Readability
That is, as long as you’re using images strategically. By strategic, you have to carefully select every image you place on the screen. Every graphic element included has to relate or reinforce textual content.
The more you can break down text, the easier it will be for learners to read. Images are perfect for this. People process visual information 60,000 fasters than text.
Start by replacing long chunks of texts with relevant visuals. A well-researched and well-designed infographics is good. In fact, a Nielsen study finds users pay attention to “photos and other images that contain relevant information.”
Whitespace Improves Readability and Comprehension
Whitespace, or having a generously spaced content, makes it easier for users to read and comprehend your material. This is why designers place a high value on whitespace. It keeps web pages free of clutter and offer readers more room to breathe. It directs their attention to important elements, show relationships between items and establish a pattern of hierarchy of content.
Studies, in fact found a 20-percent increase in comprehension due to effective use of whitespace. Make sure an ample amount of space surrounds the text.
Choice of Fonts Affects Readability Too
Readability is influenced by another factors. White space is one. Typography is another. The size and type of font you select has an effect on how your readers takes in your content.
Designers, in fact, insist on using sans-serif fonts on computer screens. These fonts are much more legible on screens with 100 pixels per inch or less. Popular sans-serif fonts are Arial and Verdana. Also, keep in mind that the recommended font size for on-screen reading should be no smaller than 10 points and no larger than 14 points.