What Does a UX Designer Do? 5 Reasons Why You Need One!

User experience (UX) designers ensure that a product's overall feel and functionality meet customers’ needs and preferences. Their role goes beyond visual elements, aiming to deliver an intuitive experience. For Chicago businesses, where competition is fierce, the services of a UX designer can pave the way to success.

Are you uncertain whether to invest in Chicago UX design? This article offers five compelling reasons you should. It talks about:

• User satisfaction.
• Conversion rates.
• Development costs.
• Accessibility and inclusivity.
• Competitive advantage.

Let’s go!

To learn how Digital Authority Partners can create a standout website for you, watch this video!

1. Enhanced User Satisfaction

User satisfaction is a cornerstone in the realm of UX design. It refers to the fulfillment and contentment that a user feels when interacting with a product or service. 

By focusing on user needs and preferences, UX designers play a pivotal role in achieving this satisfaction. They follow UX design best practices to create intuitive, responsive interfaces tailored to the user's expectations.

User satisfaction can make or break a business in the crowded Chicago market. 

Take, for example, a local ecommerce platform that recently revamped its website. Hiring a skilled UX designer helps the company improve page load speed and simplify navigation. It also aids in making personalized user recommendations. This boosts customer satisfaction ratings, increases loyalty, and causes a surge in positive reviews.

The long-term benefits of user satisfaction extend beyond immediate gratification. Satisfied users are more likely to return, refer others, and engage positively with the brand. Word-of-mouth is powerful in a city such as Chicago, making user satisfaction a top priority for many enterprises.

2. Increased Conversion Rates

Conversion rates are a critical metric for businesses. It represents the percentage of visitors who execute a desired action, such as buying or signing up for a newsletter. In the context of UX design, optimizing user journeys and reducing friction are crucial to increasing these rates.

Consider a Chicago-based fitness app. User feedback reveals that many find the sign-up process cumbersome and the interface confusing. They must streamline the sign-up process and make navigation more intuitive. Achieving this is easier with the help of a UX designer who understands the local market.

The following are tips for conversion rate optimization:

• Analyze user behavior to understand where users might be dropping from the site.
• Test different call to action buttons and placements.
• Simplify forms and reduce the number of steps required to complete an action.

3. Reduced Development Costs

Rectifying design flaws or making late-stage changes can be financially draining. This is where the value of early stage UX design becomes evident. Immediately addressing UX design challenges allows businesses to prevent costly mistakes that arise from oversight or misjudgment.

Take, for example, a Chicago area startup that aimed to launch an online booking platform. Initially, they bypassed the expertise of a UX designer, focusing solely on functionality. 

However, they realized users found their platform's interface confusing and non-intuitive as the launch date approached. The cost of a website overhaul at this late stage was nearly double what it would have been if they had integrated UX design earlier. 

Moreover, the broader impact on project timelines and overall efficiency cannot be ignored. Delays in launch dates, especially in a fast-paced market such as Chicago, can mean potential revenue losses.

4. Improved Accessibility and Inclusivity

Accessibility and inclusivity in design are not mere buzzwords. They are two essential components of ensuring that products and services cater to diverse users. This encompasses individuals with disabilities, varied cultural backgrounds, and different age groups. 

Both legal and ethical considerations underscore the importance of accessible design. Many jurisdictions, including Chicago, have regulations to ensure digital inclusivity.

UX designers are trained to create interfaces that are universally accessible. For instance, a Chicago-based online news portal aims to cater to the city's diverse population. It decided to collaborate with a UX designer to do so.

The designer made sure that the website was navigable via screen readers for the visually impaired. It featured subtitles for videos to assist people who are hard of hearing. It also boasted a user-friendly layout for older adults unfamiliar with digital platforms.

The benefits of such inclusivity extend beyond compliance. Brands that focus on accessibility often see a broader market reach and enhanced brand reputation. Making certain that digital platforms are accessible to everyone is imperative in a diverse market.

5. Competitive Advantage

Businesses in Chicago are constantly vying for ways to differentiate themselves and gain an edge over their rivals. UX design plays a pivotal role in this differentiation. A UX designer paves the way for superior user experiences that translate into a significant competitive advantage.

For example, consider two Chicago food delivery apps. Both offer similar cuisine and delivery times, but one has invested heavily in UX design. This investment has led to an intuitive ordering process and personalized recommendations. Moreover, it allows for real-time tracking that keeps the user informed every step of the way. 

The other app, while functional, lacks these user-centric features.

Over time, the app with the superior UX design saw a substantial increase in user retention and positive reviews. Customers in Chicago, known for their appreciation for quality service, gravitated towards the app that provided a seamless and enjoyable experience. The competitor found itself struggling to keep pace despite having similar core offerings.

Below are strategies to harness UX design for competitive advantage:

• Regularly solicit user feedback to understand their needs and preferences.
• Collaborate with local UX designers who understand the unique characteristics and demands of the Chicago market.
• Continuously monitor user behavior and make iterative improvements to stay ahead of emerging trends and expectations.

Summing Up

Standing out in the Chicago market is inherently difficult. It is teeming with formidable and diverse competition. Getting a real chance to succeed requires UX design as a strategic imperative. Businesses that realize and act on this reality are poised to survive and thrive.

If your business is ready to elevate its digital presence and harness the power of effective UX design, contact Digital Authority Partners (DAP) today. Our team of experts, well-versed in the unique dynamics of the Chicago market, is ready to guide you toward online marketing success. Let us help you transform your user experience and drive your business to new heights.