UI and UX: what are they and how do they differ in web design?

Currently, web design has become a fundamental aspect that any business or company must take into account. A well-designed website can make the difference between business success and failure. That’s why nowadays there is a lot of talk about user interface (UI) design and user experience (UX). Although these terms are often used interchangeably, there are significant differences between them that must be known to achieve an effective web design. In this article, we’re going to explain what UI and UXs are, how they distinguish themselves in web design, and how they can help improve your business’ online presence.

What is UI and UX?

The user interface (UI) refers to the graphic design of a web page. This includes everything from the design of buttons and menus, to the choice of colors and fonts. In short, UI is how users view a web page.

On the other hand, user experience (UX) is related to how a user feels when interacting with a given web page. This includes ease of use, navigation, loading speed, and responsiveness. In short, UX is how a web page is perceived.

The difference can be difficult to appreciate, so let’s give an example. The UI would be equivalent to the look of an art installation. The first time you approach it, you see the colors, the shapes and you get a general idea of whether you find it attractive or not. When you enter the installation and walk among its elements, you are experiencing it. That’s where user experience comes in.

• UI = static appearance.
• UX= dynamic interaction.

How UI and UX are distinguished in web design

Although UI and UX are closely related, they are two different things. The UI is the first contact a user has with a web page. If the UI is not attractive, the user is likely to leave the page. On the other hand, UX is the way a user feels after interacting with the web page. If the UX is bad, a user will not return to the page.

It’s important to note that a good UI doesn’t guarantee a good UX. There may be a web page with an impressive UI but a bad UX. For example, a web page with a sleek, modern UI can take a long time to load, leading to a frustrating user experience. That’s why it’s important to consider both UI and UX when designing a web page.

Both must be impeccable so that the website and the brand behind it benefit from all the advantages of a good online presence. Otherwise, brand reputation suffers. This case study that talks about how to improve the experience of news readers is paradigmatic.

What are UI and UX and how they can help improve your business’ online presence

We’ve answered the question of what UI and UX are, but we haven’t yet explained why they’re critical to improving your business’ online presence. A good UI can make a web page stand out from the competition and attract more users. A good UX can turn those users into loyal customers. Here are two ways a good UI and UX can help improve your business’ online presence.

(01) Improves user retention

What are UI and UX but a great net for your users? If a web page is difficult to use or has complicated navigation, users will likely leave the page. On the contrary, if a web page is user-friendly and intuitive to navigate, users are more likely to stay on the page to explore what it has to offer.

This is achieved by combining good design with suitable menus that work well.  Limiting the number of clicks to get to the final information also helps. And that the itineraries from one place to another of the page are clear.

(02) Improves user satisfaction

A good UI and UX can improve user satisfaction with your website. If a website is attractive and easy to use, users will get a more satisfying experience. If a web page is frustrating and difficult to use, users will get a more negative experience. User satisfaction is important because satisfied users will not only return to your site, but recommend it to new customers, which will result in turnover. Think of Google, whose interface is impossible to simplify further.

To achieve a good UX, it is important to know the user and their needs. This involves doing market research to understand your audience, their goals and preferences. In addition, it is essential to design prototyping processes and do usability tests to evaluate how users interact with the interface and what improvements can be made even before launching the web.

In short, UI and UX are two key elements in web design that work together to create a satisfying and engaging user experience. The UI focuses on the visual appearance and interactivity of the website, while the UX focuses on the overall user experience, from navigation to functionality. To create a good UX, it is necessary to know the user and their needs, and to do usability tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the design. And we can assist you in both cases.