How UX research can make a good product great?

Aside from stepping in a puddle, there’s nothing more annoying than flailing about trying to find the search bar on a poorly-designed website. UX research could've easily prevented that.

It’s probably true that the designers of these clunky websites knew where the search bar was located. After all, they built the site and the whole thing made perfect sense to them. But that is precisely the problem with many modern sites. The layout made sense to the site designer, but it doesn't make sense to its users. No one researched what the average user might do when navigating the site.

Building an intuitive site is both a science and an art. The first websites were often giant and unreadable walls of text that appeared on a single page. If you were lucky, there was a handful of buttons that might have included a search bar somewhere at the top.

Since those early days of the internet, lots of lessons about “user experience,” or UX, have been learned. One of those lessons is that a poorly-designed website can directly impact the revenue generation potential of a business. Bad UX often had a single, dangerous outcome: if a person can’t find a product on a website, how can they be expected to buy it?

The invention of the “hamburger” drop-down menu button was a game changer for UX. It universalized where people could find more options. People responded well to this innovation and website designers started to notice. They realized that clean and intuitive UX can make the difference between a good product and a great product.

To understand why, it is important to drill into what UX is.

What Is UX Research?

UX research is a critical component of the human-centered design process. It involves gathering qualitative and quantitative data through observation techniques, user interviews, surveys, usability testing, A/B testing, and user testing. The goal is to understand user behaviors, preferences, and pain points to create products that genuinely meet their needs.

The importance of UX research cannot be overstated when it comes to designing user-friendly products. User research is the backbone of creating digital products that resonate with users. A well-researched UX strategy transforms a good product into a great one by addressing user preferences, user expectations, pain points, and behaviors. From intuitive navigation to seamless interactions, user research ensures a product is not only functional but also enjoyable to use.

UX research is about making meaningful design decisions based on solid data. We create wireframes like these to convey the logic behind the product’s functionalities. As a sort of blueprint, these help us get better feedback faster and are great at communicating design changes. Pictured is an actual design wireframe from the Apollo Mobile App project, made by Adchitects.

Read more: What are UX/UI wireframes and why do we make them?

Why UX matters

Focusing on UX design means a company will be able to better understand its customers. This involves testing, gathering feedback, and fostering a user-first culture to reduce all kinds of costs.

Few people are better placed to discuss why good UX matters than the inventor of the term, Don Norman, who once explained the way UX should try to fulfill a user’s needs by building a better customer satisfaction–conversion–retention journey.

“No product is an island. A product is more than the product. It is a cohesive, integrated set of experiences. Think through all of the stages of a product or service — from initial intentions through final reflections, from the first usage to help, service, and maintenance. Make them all work together seamlessly.” — Norman said.

And there’s good data backing up Norman’s sentiment. For example, according to Spiralytics, every dollar invested in building good UX brings a return of $100. That’s an impressive ROI of 9900%. On top of that, 72% of customers will tell six other people about a good user experience. Obviously, not every company will achieve similar returns, but gaining even a fraction of this success could drastically improve the bottom line.

A 2016 design study of 408 different companies found that when a company invested in design, sales tended to increase, customers stuck around, and its employees moved through product cycles faster. The crucial factor here was good UX design and putting the customer at the heart of the business.

Furthermore, Forrester Research showed that a well-designed user interface can increase the conversion rate of a website by up to 200% by making it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for.

Check out: Redesign this page first to double your e-commerce conversion rate!

Why UX Research Matters

Great user experiences don’t happen by chance - they’re built on a deep understanding of real people. UX research helps businesses see their products through the eyes of their users, uncovering pain points, needs, and behaviors that might otherwise go unnoticed. When companies take the time to listen and learn, they create products that feel intuitive, enjoyable, and genuinely useful. Investing in UX research not only leads to happier customers but also boosts retention, conversion rates, and long-term success. Simply put, great design starts with great research.

Focusing on UX design means a company will be able to better understand its customers. This involves testing, gathering feedback, and fostering a user-first culture to reduce all kinds of costs. Few people are better placed to discuss why good UX matters than the inventor of the term, Don Norman, who once explained the way UX should try to fulfill a user’s needs by building a better customer satisfaction–conversion–retention journey.

“No product is an island. A product is more than the product. It is a cohesive, integrated set of experiences. Think through all of the stages of a product or service — from initial intentions through final reflections, from the first usage to help, service, and maintenance. Make them all work together seamlessly.” — Norman said.

The Business Impact of Good UX

And there’s good data backing up Norman’s sentiment. For example, according to Spiralytics, every dollar invested in building good UX brings a return of $100. That’s an impressive ROI of 9900%. On top of that, 72% of customers will tell six other people about a good user experience. Obviously, not every company will achieve similar returns, but gaining even a fraction of this success could drastically improve the bottom line.

A 2016 design study of 408 different companies found that when a company invested in design, sales tended to increase, customers stuck around, and its employees moved through product cycles faster. The crucial factor here was good UX design and putting the customer at the heart of the business.

Furthermore, Forrester Research showed that a well-designed user interface can increase the conversion rate of a website by up to 200% by making it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for.

Check out: Redesign this page first to double your e-commerce conversion rate!

A world-class UX design should reflect and address the user's expectations and needs. UX researchers will analyze your product’s target market, giving you the opportunity to verify your perception of your users. This also greatly helps pinpoint current design trends. Pictured is the Victoria Mobile App, made by Adchitects.

Key Principles of Effective UX Research

Build Empathy for Users

Understanding users’ emotions, motivations, and challenges is essential for creating products they love. Conducting user interviews and observational research helps UX designers understand user expectations and make informed design decisions.

Identify Exact User Problems

User research uncovers pain points that might not be obvious. Without research, design improvements become a guessing game. Prioritizing user needs ensures that a product aligns with customer expectations and solves real problems.

Implement Data-Driven Decision Making

By combining qualitative insights (user interviews, user feedback) with quantitative data (heatmaps, analytics, A/B testing), companies can make strategic design choices that improve usability and engagement.

Iterate and Conduct Usability Testing Frequently

UX design is an iterative process. Regular usability testing, unmoderated research, and feedback loops ensure continuous improvement and help designers refine their products over time.

How UX Research Enhances Product Development

UX Research and Wireframing

Wireframing is a vital step in UX design that allows teams to visualize the product’s structure before development. It serves as a blueprint that ensures logical navigation and usability.

UX Research for Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)

• A data-driven UX approach helps optimize user flows for higher conversion rates.
• Reducing friction in user journeys improves completion rates.
• Clear CTAs (Call-to-Action) increase engagement and guide users toward conversions.
• Mobile optimization enhances accessibility for a broader audience.

Conducting User Interviews for Better UX

What Are User Interviews?

User interviews involve directly speaking with target users to gain deep insights into their behaviors, needs, and frustrations. They can be:

• Structured – Predefined questions for consistent data.
• Unstructured – Open-ended discussions for exploratory insights.
• Remote or In-Person – Depending on user accessibility.

Benefits of User Interviews

• Reveals pain points and opportunities.
• Provides actionable insights beyond analytics.
• Improves product decisions based on real user feedback.

The UX Research Process

The UX research process is a structured approach that involves several stages, each critical to understanding and improving the user experience. Let’s explore these stages in detail.

Planning and Preparation

Effective UX research begins with thorough planning and preparation. This stage sets the foundation for a successful research project.

• Defining Research Goals and Objectives: The first step is to identify the research questions and objectives. What do you want to learn from the research? Defining clear goals helps in determining the scope of the research project and ensures that the research efforts are focused and aligned with the overall design process.
• Developing a Research Plan: Once the goals are set, the next step is to create a detailed research plan. This plan outlines the research methods to be used, the timeline for the project, and the resources required. A well-structured plan ensures that the research is conducted systematically and efficiently.
• Recruiting Participants: Identifying and recruiting participants who meet the target user criteria is crucial for gathering relevant data. Whether through user interviews, usability testing, or surveys, having the right participants ensures that the insights gathered are representative of the actual user base.

Conducting Research

With the planning in place, the next stage involves conducting the research to gather valuable data.

• Conducting User Interviews: User interviews are a powerful method for gaining deep insights into user behaviors, needs, and frustrations. These interviews can be conducted in-person or remotely, depending on the accessibility of the participants. The qualitative data gathered from these interviews provides a nuanced understanding of the user experience.
• Conducting Usability Testing: Usability testing involves observing users as they interact with a product to identify any usability issues. This method helps in understanding how users navigate and use the product, highlighting areas for improvement. Usability tests can be conducted in-person or remotely, providing flexibility in gathering user feedback.
• Conducting Surveys and Questionnaires: Surveys and questionnaires are effective tools for gathering quantitative data on user preferences, expectations, and behaviors. These methods can reach a broad audience, providing valuable insights that can be used to inform design decisions.

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

The final stage of the UX research process involves analyzing and interpreting the data collected during the research.

• Analyzing Qualitative Data: Qualitative data, such as user opinions, attitudes, and behaviors, is analyzed to identify common themes and insights. This analysis helps in understanding the underlying motivations and pain points of users, guiding the design process.
• Analyzing Quantitative Data: Quantitative data, such as user preferences, expectations, and behaviors, is analyzed to identify trends and patterns. This data-driven approach provides measurable insights that can be used to make informed design decisions.
• Drawing Conclusions and Making Recommendations: Based on the research findings, conclusions are drawn, and recommendations for design improvements are made. These recommendations are crucial for refining the product and ensuring that it meets user needs and expectations.

By following a structured UX research process, UX designers can create products that deliver exceptional user experiences, driving engagement and business success.

The Role of UX Research in Internal Linking and SEO

UX research not only enhances usability but also strengthens a website’s internal linking structure, which is crucial for SEO. By understanding user navigation patterns, designers can strategically place internal links to improve:

• Site structure and crawlability
• User engagement and session duration
• Relevance of linked content to search intent

Example: If a UX research study identifies common pain points, linking to case studies, blog posts, or tutorials can keep users engaged and drive traffic to high-value pages.

Conclusion: Why UX Research Is Essential for Success

UX research is not just an optional step in product development - it is the foundation of creating digital experiences that delight users and drive business results. By investing in research-driven design, companies can:

✅ Improve usability and accessibility 
✅ Enhance customer satisfaction and retention 
✅ Increase conversions and revenue 
✅ Strengthen brand credibility and loyalty 

Get your UX right with Adchitects!

How do you increase your company's or business' effectiveness? How about having your website or app go through a comprehensive, data-based UX research & redesign transformation aimed at boosting your conversions and visibility? At Adchitects, we can take care of it.

We offer a simple and effective way to create digital products that you will fall in love with. We've already worked with plenty of industries, including e-commerce, fintech, retail, SaaS, education, and more. What's more, our creative and development processes are fully transparent, so you will always get what you need. We guarantee that your website will never go offline, and we’ll advise you on what steps to take to make your website a success.

Contact us today, and let's build your new digital presence together.