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Best Practices for Making a User-Friendly Website for Teens

Updated: 1 year ago
5 minutes

by Kade McConville
CEO of EMBARK w/15 years of WordPress experience. Business and Law Graduate. Marathon runner, mental health campaigner & proud dad.

A man in a red hoodie is holding a phone and listening to music while incorporating best practices for making a user-friendly website for teens.

Creating a user-friendly website for teens can be a great way to capture their attention, keep them engaged, and create a positive online experience. Whether you are designing a website for a teen-oriented business or want to make an informative website that appeals to a younger audience, it’s essential to consider their needs and preferences. This article will discuss some best practices for designing a user-friendly website for teens.

Two teens, a boy in a white sweater and a girl in a black-and-white plaid shirt, stand next to each other against a white wall, both engrossed in their phones.
Two teens, a boy in a white sweater and a girl in a black-and-white plaid shirt, stand beside each other against a white wall, both engrossed in their phones.

1. Consider their Age and Interests

When designing a website for teens, it is vital to consider their age and interests. This will help you determine the best topics to cover and design elements. If your website targets a younger audience, you may want to include more interactive elements, such as games or quizzes, to keep them engaged.

Two teens are sitting on blue steps surrounded by vintage televisions. One rests on a TV displaying "Walt Disney." Various retro gaming consoles and controllers are scattered around them.
Two teens are sitting on blue steps surrounded by vintage televisions. One rests on a TV displaying “Walt Disney.” Various retro gaming consoles and controllers are scattered around them.

2. Use an Engaging Design

Your website’s design should be attractive and engaging to keep teens interested. Consider using bright colours, bold fonts, and exciting visuals to draw their attention. Additionally, you can use animations and interactive elements to make the website more interactive and enjoyable.

Person in a yellow shirt sitting at a desk, drawing in a notebook with an iMac computer, keyboard, and mouse in front of them, possibly brainstorming best practices for creating a user-friendly website.
Person in a yellow shirt sitting at a desk, drawing in a notebook with an iMac computer, keyboard, and mouse in front of them, possibly brainstorming best practices for creating a user-friendly website.

3. Not Too Much Text

Younger audiences tend to have shorter attention spans, so keeping text to a minimum is essential. Instead of long paragraphs, use concise sentences and bullet points to convey your message. Additionally, you can include visuals, such as videos or images, to help break up the text and make it easier to digest.

A person holds a smartphone on a gimbal, recording video. The screen shows the recording interface with a subject in focus, following best practices for video capture.
A person holds a smartphone on a gimbal, recording video. The screen shows the recording interface with a subject in focus, following best practices for video capture.

4. Optimise for Mobile Devices

Many teens access the internet primarily through their phones or tablets, so optimising your website for mobile devices is important. Ensure that the design is responsive and that all features are easy to use on a smaller screen. Also, ensure that the website loads quickly on desktop and mobile devices.

A young woman, likely a teenager, sits at a cafe table, glancing at her phone. In the foreground, a tall glass of layered coffee and a small plant complete the cozy scene. She appears to be browsing a user-friendly website effortlessly.
A young woman, likely a teenager, sits at a cafe table, glancing at her phone. In the foreground, a tall glass of layered coffee and a small plant complete the cosy scene. She appears to be effortlessly browsing a user-friendly website.

5. Easy Navigation

Your website should be easy to navigate so teens can quickly find the information they want. Use clear, intuitive menus and labels to help users find the information they need quickly and easily. Include a search bar and well-organised navigation menus to make finding what they need easier. Additionally, consider adding a search bar to help users find specific content. You should also make sure that all of the links are working correctly.

A person works at a computer displaying the message "Designers should always keep their users in mind." Three other people are seated at the same table in the background, discussing best practices for creating a user-friendly website.
A person works at a computer displaying the message “Designers should always keep their users in mind.” Three other people are seated at the same table in the background, discussing best practices for creating a user-friendly website.

6. Include Social Features

We live in the age of social media, where every person yearns to socialise, and teens are no exception. Incorporating social features on your website is a great way to engage with your teen audience and increase user engagement. Consider adding social sharing buttons, commenting sections, and forums where teens can interact with each other. You could also create a teen-specific section of your website where they can post content and share their opinions.

A group of five teens sits on sofas in a cozy room, each engaged with their smartphones and chatting. A coffee table with various items is in the center, and a bookshelf and air conditioner are visible. They're likely discussing best practices for creating a user-friendly website.
A group of five teens sits on sofas in a cozy room, each engaged with their smartphones and chatting. A coffee table with various items is in the center, and a bookshelf and air conditioner are visible. They’re likely discussing best practices for creating a user-friendly website.

7. Keep Content Engaging and Relevant

The website’s content should be engaging, relevant, and easy to digest. This could include blog posts, videos, and other multimedia elements, as well as informative articles and tips. It is crucial to keep the content up to date and to provide new and exciting content regularly.

Young man in a white long-sleeve shirt looks at his phone while using a laptop and sitting on a sofa near a window, perhaps researching the best practices for building a user-friendly website.
Young man in a white long-sleeve shirt looks at his phone while using a laptop and sitting on a sofa near a window, perhaps researching the best practices for building a user-friendly website.

8. Quick Loading Times

Teens are used to getting what they want quickly, so it’s essential that your website loads quickly. If it takes too long to load, teens may become frustrated and leave before they even have a chance to explore your content. Optimise your images and compress your code to ensure that your website loads quickly.

Close-up of a speedometer showing a speed of approximately 80 km/h against a black background, highlighting design best practices.
Close-up of a speedometer showing a speed of approximately 80 km/h against a black background, highlighting design best practices.

Conclusion

Creating a user-friendly website for teens requires careful layout, design, and content consideration. The website should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and have content tailored to the target audience.

Additionally, ensuring that the website is secure and that any personal information collected is handled with the utmost care is essential. By following these best practices, you can create a website that will attract teens and provide a positive user experience.

If your goal is to create a website that is inviting to your audience and provides a positive user experience, EMBARK is the perfect partner for you. We are a web design and digital agency in Cardiff with a team of experienced professionals who specialise in creating websites that are optimised to get results.

When it comes to web design services, we have the skills and experience to create a fantastic website and marketing campaign for your project.

Contact us today to get started on your next website design project. 

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