The Importance of User Experience in Online Booking Systems

User Experience in Online Booking Systems

 

Have you ever wondered why some booking systems are really successful and others are not? The answer is simple: successful booking systems are designed and structured with customers and user experience at the forefront of their minds. Ultimately, they are designed to get good feedback from users.

According to Smashing Magazine, UX includes Human Factors, Design, Marketing, Ergonomics and much more. Users should never feel lost using a website or booking system, and they should be able to make a booking in an easy, intuitive and comfortable way.

 

 

In previous posts, we have spoken about the importance of SEO in gaining more visibility on the search engines and, thus, get more users on your booking system. However, it would be a shame to lose those potential clients because your booking system is not trustworthy or easy to use, and ultimately, unusable.

 

You may think: “well, it sounds good, but.. will this really help increase my sales?” The answer is yes. A good user-interface makes it easier for users to find what they are looking for and then to buy it once they have found it. In other words, usability dramatically decreases the number of ‘abandoned shopping carts’ and therefore, your on-line booking sales go up.

 

But, how can a booking system be improved in terms of usability?

Some of the most common characteristics of usable booking systems are:

 

1. Simple Design

2. Easy To Find

3. Speed Of Website

 

Find out more detail on these items below

 

Simple design

 

Sometimes, a “plain” design is more effective than an overly creative/intricate one. The most important factor is that your booking system meets its goals and make more sales, so the design must help to make it happen.

 

Easy to find

 

Once on the booking system, users should find information easily as well as be able to move around your booking system comfortably. They should find what they need in just 3 clicks and be presented with options to book and pay instantly.

 

Speed of website

 

This is imperative for user satisfaction. Each booking system page shouldn’t load for more than 1 second in order to improve the user experience. BookingLive ensures their system and servers are optimised for quick speed – also important for your website search engine rankings!

We understand the benefits of good usability, BookingLive is designed with your visitors in mind. Don’t just take our word for it, just take a look at what our clients have to say.