Buttons, menus, site structure, images, calls to action, contact details, layout, copy placement… You want all the right bits in all the right places, so you can lead visitors, inexorably, towards your call to action.
If it’s not planned before it’s designed, it may end up pretty, but it won’t be usable. Or profitable.
Websites need to compel visitors to act. Apps and software need to help them do what they came to do. And all three need to be a pleasure to use.
By developing a sitemap, navigation plan and wireframes, we isolate the information elements of the site or app from the aesthetic elements. This makes it easier for us (and you) to focus on the fundamental message, and the journey it will take your users on.
A sitemap is a diagram that shows how all the pages of your site or app will fit together, illustrating meaningful page groups and information hierarchies. It has to be structured around your readers’ goals and information needs, and – if it’s a website – tailored to Google’s algorithms.
At the same time, it must reflect your business priorities – even when they’re not directly aligned with those of your users (which happens more often than you’d think).
Your navigation has to be simple and inviting, yet still open the door to every page on your site, app or software.
It must use the language of your customers, and say as much as possible, in as few words as possible. It must function as they expect it to. And it must be structured in a way that makes sense to them.
Wireframes are sketches that show the layout of each page – how everything will fit together. They help ensure the page tells a single, cohesive story and guides the user from headline to call-to-action.
A prototype is essentially a sketched version of your site, app or software. The individual pages look like wireframes, but they’re interactive, so they show exactly how the end product will function. (Learn more about the power of prototyping…)
With all of these assets in hand, your designer (or ours) can then create a visual design that’s user-friendly and effective, not just pretty.
Take a look at the UX design samples below, or check out our full design portfolio to see if we’re the UX designers you’re after.
Glenn has the rare ability to turn complex systems into simple, easy to use interfaces. He understands the user’s perspective very well and is able to integrate this within the product roadmap. His attention to detail is remarkable, he is always keen to learn new things, and he communicates well with different stakeholders and with the dev team. He is always positive, approachable and very easy going. I would be happy to work with him again in the future.
Rale Chung
Head of Web Development, Appliances Online
If you want the best, you’ve found it. You would be lucky to find a better outfit than Silver Pistol. The combination of copywriter and designer is a definite mix for success. Each can more than hold their own in their craft of choice but where the true web magic happens is when they work together. Very easy to work with, laid back guys, I found they relate well and that’s why I will continue to use their services. It’s just easy. One size does not fit all in www-land and they truly have the unique creative streak required to thrive in this industry and deliver the best possible results! You want more? Give me a call!
Damon Joseph
Owner, Cloud Networks Australia
Great job guys – a brilliant result. The team here loves the new website – you have delivered exactly what we asked for and more………on budget and on time. If ever you need a reference feel free to send people our way.
Brett Mundell
Managing Director, Leverage Technologies
You guys are fu**ing geniuses! I will write a more appropriate mail when I have a few spare minutes but honestly I couldn’t be happier with everything you’ve done. It’s a masterpiece and the feedback from everyone to date has been brilliant.
Richard Brown
Owner, Sandbar
Love it all …exactly the friendly, approachable look and feel I want. :-)
Allison Hendricks
Owner, Darzin Software
If you’re after an intelligent, rigorously planned UX design, email us for a quote.
