One of the most frequently encountered sentences in the website design process is:
“I like it.”
Although this sentence seems innocent, it often leads the project in the wrong direction. Because the website exists not to satisfy the personal tastes of its owner, but to direct the user to the right action.
The problem is not about liking. The problem is that the only criterion has become like.
To Whom Does the Like Belong?
When a design comes to the table, the following reflex usually occurs:
“Does it appeal to me?”
However, the real question is:
“Does this design appeal to the target audience?”
The person who will use the site is often not the person who approved the design. When this difference is ignored, the site remains aesthetically beautiful but functionally weak.
Personal Taste and User Behavior Are Not the Same Thing
Everyone's perception of color, font, and visual order is different.
However, user behavior is much more predictable than personal taste.
User:
Wants to understand quickly
Wants to know where and what is available
Without thinking. wants to progress
When design decisions are not made according to these behaviors, the site that looks "nice" becomes useless.
The Most Common Problems in Sites Called "I Like It"
The following problems usually arise in projects where this approach predominates:
Use of more colors than necessary
Fonts that are difficult to read
Large but meaningless visuals
Uncertain home pages
Design appeals to the eye but does not direct the user.
Design Decisions Should Be Based on Data, Not Emotion
A good website is the result of conscious decisions, not intuitive.
That's why user data, click habits and page flows are important.
Likes are not completely excluded, but they alone are the deciding factor. It cannot be.
Otherwise, the site turns into a mirror of its owner; not the customer.
The Real Success Criteria Are Sites That Work Quietly
The best working websites usually go unnoticed.
The user remembers his job, not the site.
He fills out the form, calls, requests an offer and leaves.
This silence is an indication that the design is working correctly.
