By Eventus Offiong Okon
Like most Nigerian beginners, what I wanted in the beginning was simple: How do I make websites that not only look fine but also feel easy, smooth, and enjoyable for users?
That question led me to UI/UX — and it changed the way I design websites forever.
This article is the full, practical guide I wish existed when I began. It is built from real experience since 2019, using real client projects, real mistakes, and the simple tools I used (including Canva, which many beginners still underestimate).
If you’re a business owner, designer, or someone wanting clarity on UI/UX, this article is your roadmap.
What UI/UX Design Really Means for Websites
Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible — not with textbook definitions but with what actually matters when designing websites.
What UI Means (User Interface)
UI is the visual side of a website — the part people see, touch, click, and interact with.
UI includes:
- Layout
- Colors
- Fonts
- Buttons
- Forms
- Icons
- Spacing
- Visual hierarchy
If UI is done poorly, users may still “use” your website, but they won’t enjoy the process. Everything will feel scattered, confusing, or unattractive.
UI answers the question: How should this website look?
What UX Means (User Experience)
UX is the experience a user gets when interacting with your website — how easy and smooth it feels.
UX involves:
- Navigation flow
- Page speed
- Content structure
- User journey
- Accessibility
- Mobile responsiveness
- The emotions users feel when using your site
UX answers the questions: How should this website work? How should users feel after using it?
UI is how the website looks. UX is how the website feels. Together, they determine whether a website becomes a joy to use or a frustration to escape from.
Why UI/UX Design Matters So Much for Websites
Many people think web design is about making things fine. But if your UI/UX is weak, your website will:
- lose visitors
- confuse users
- frustrate customers
- fail to convert
- reduce your brand trust
Here is the truth I learned the hard way:
A website without good UI/UX is just decoration. A website with good UI/UX becomes a marketing machine.
UI/UX is what controls:
- how people move through your site
- what they notice first
- how long they stay
- whether they click a button
- whether they buy
- whether they trust your brand
In 2019, the moment I understood this, my entire web design mindset changed. Instead of focusing only on beauty, I began focusing on behavior — how people actually use websites.
That shift made my clients start calling me not just a web designer, but someone who “understands how customers think.”
Real-Life Examples From My Experience
Fashion Brand Project (2021)
The owner originally wanted a “fine website,” but the site was overwhelming — too much color, too many animations, and long descriptions.
Fixing the UI/UX involved:
- simplifying the layout
- using clean neutral colors
- restructuring product descriptions
- adding clear call-to-action buttons
- redesigning the mobile interface
Results: Bounce rate dropped from 73% to 29%, and online orders increased within three weeks.
Real Estate Agency (2022)
The website looked modern but felt stressful to navigate. People couldn’t find property categories easily.
I fixed the UX by:
- organizing properties into three simple categories
- adding a search filter
- improving spacing
- restructuring the homepage journey
Results: Daily leads increased because the user journey became easier.
Taculia Designs Website
Even my website wasn’t perfect in the beginning. I improved the UI/UX by:
- redesigning the homepage to reduce clutter
- rewriting content to match user intent
- improving mobile spacing
- simplifying navigation
The improvement helped Google index more pages and improved ranking for multiple keywords.
This is why I always say: UI/UX is one of the most important parts of website success — even more than fancy visual design.
The Key Elements of UI/UX Design for Websites
Visual Hierarchy
This guides the eye of the user from most important to least important. Good hierarchy tells the user: “Start here → move here → click here.”
Consistency
Fonts, colors, spacing, and button styles should remain consistent across pages.
Navigation Flow
Menus must be clear. Important pages must be easy to find. Users should not think twice when navigating.
Mobile Experience
Most Nigerians browse with phones. If your site looks great on laptop but chaotic on mobile, your UX is already failing.
Emotional Experience
Color affects emotion. Spacing affects calmness. Typography affects readability. UX affects trust.
Accessibility
A website should be usable by older people, people with poor eyesight, and people with slow devices. Accessibility = professionalism.
Why Nigerians Easily Misunderstand UI/UX
From my experience in Nigeria, here are the common misconceptions:
- Many think UI/UX is simply “graphics design.”
- Some think UI/UX designers must code.
- Some think UI/UX is only for big brands.
- Some think Canva cannot be used for UI.
- Some think UI/UX is optional.
The main truth is:
UI/UX is not graphics. It is problem-solving. UI/UX is not coding. It is behavior design.
How I Personally Design UI/UX for Websites Using Canva
People are shocked when I tell them this — but Canva is my primary UI tool.
Here’s how I use it:
- I create website wireframes
- I design mockup layouts
- I plan website structure
- I build UI components like buttons and cards
- I test different color systems
- I experiment with spacing and alignment
Canva might not be a complete UI tool like Figma or Adobe XD, but for web designers who understand UI principles, Canva is powerful enough.
And yes — I used Canva heavily in the early years, and even now for certain UI concepts.
How UI/UX Design Improves SEO
This is one thing many web designers ignore.
Google ranks sites higher when:
- pages load fast
- users stay longer
- bounce rate is low
- navigation is smooth
- the site works well on mobile
All these things fall under UX design.
A beautiful website can rank poorly. A simple website with excellent UX can outrank competitors. I’ve seen this happen repeatedly.
Internal Links for This UI/UX Cluster
To help you continue reading the full series, here are the interlinked articles:
Final Thoughts
UI/UX design is not about beauty — it is about clarity, simplicity, and human behavior.
Since 2019, learning and applying UI/UX has been the difference between:
- a good website
- and a website that creates trust, converts visitors, and grows a business
Whether you’re a designer or a business owner, understanding UI/UX is one of the most valuable steps you can take toward building a successful online presence.