One-Third of People Spend Less Than 3 Hours Online Per Day, Creating Business Challenges
December 11, 2018
As people search for ways to curb internet addiction, business websites must prioritize website features that capture attention, new survey says.
WASHINGTON, DC, December 11, 2018 – More than one-third of people (37%) spend 3 hours or less online every day for leisure, according to a new consumer survey by Clutch, the leading B2B research, ratings, and reviews company.
Almost two-thirds of people (62%) spend more than four hours online for leisure every day – but changing consumer attitudes towards internet use could cause this number to drop.
As websites and operating systems add new digital wellness integrations, businesses are competing for shrinking amounts of consumer attention, experts warn.
Jordan DeVries is UX Director at BraveUX, a UX design company in Washington D.C. He believes digital wellness could lead to a decline in users browsing websites.
“Customers who might have come across your website in passing may not be there anymore,” DeVries said.
Incorporating the website features people find most useful can help companies stand out in a crowded field.
People Want Websites That Are Easy to Navigate
Easy, intuitive navigation is the website feature people want most, according to the survey data.
Businesses should invest in functional navigation, according to 94% of people who say it’s the most important factor in how they judge a website.
Some examples of functional navigation include a clearly structured toolbar, easy homepage access, and a clear search bar.
The survey reveals that people value easy navigation because it enables them to access content they want quickly.
Businesses Should Invest in Updating Website Design
Eye-catching, trendy designs can attract audiences to a businesses’ content.
Most people (83%) want to spend time on websites that have a beautiful and updated appearance.
If a business has a limited budget for web design, experts suggest investing in a mix of evergreen and trending design elements.
An updated design in 2019 could mean a blend between trendy “flat” web design and more traditional “rich” design.
“Flat designs were missing well-established visual affordances for interactivity,” said Dan Burke, UX and product manager at Getfused, a full-service digital marketing agency in Boston. “Sacrificing accessibility for attractiveness is never a good trade-off.”
The survey warns businesses not to sacrifice sleek design for usability. It also recommends making web design timeless to avoid costly redesign efforts.
Company Blogs Are Valuable, but Product Descriptions and Visuals Matter More
Content is the top priority for people browsing online. Half of website users (50%) will leave a site permanently if the content is irrelevant.
Product descriptions and visuals are the second-most important form of content on a business website, according to the survey.
Almost all survey respondents (91%) said they find product descriptions and visuals useful.
Short user attention spans challenge businesses to create high-quality blogs and other engaging long-form content for their websites.
Half of survey respondents (50%) believe that company blogs are a useful website feature.
Nearly one-quarter of people surveyed (23%) find company blogs extremely useful, but 21% of people don’t find blogs useful at all.
Clutch surveyed 612 people about their opinions on website features.
Link: clutch.co/web-designers/resources/top-6-website-features-people-value
For questions about the survey, a comment on the findings, or an introduction to the industry experts included in the report, contact Kelsey McKeon at kelsey@clutch.co.
About Clutch
A B2B research, ratings, and reviews firm in the heart of Washington, DC, Clutch connects small and medium businesses with the best-fit agencies, software, or consultants they need to tackle business challenges together and with confidence. Clutch's methodology compares business service providers and software in a specific market based on verified client reviews, services offered, work quality, and market presence.
Contact
Kelsey McKeon
(202) 684-2125