What makes a website truly intuitive?
Have you ever wondered why some websites seem natural to use, while others make you give up within seconds? The difference lies in the application of UX (User Experience) laws, scientific principles based on cognitive psychology and user behavior.
In this comprehensive guide, discover 4 essential UX laws that will transform your website's user experience and increase your conversions.
1. Jakob's Law: Respect UX Conventions
What is Jakob Nielsen's Law?
Jakob Nielsen's Law states that users spend the majority of their time on other websites. They therefore expect your site to operate according to universal web conventions.
Web ergonomics pioneer Jakob Nielsen demonstrated that users prefer familiar interfaces to learning new interaction models.
How can you apply Jakob's law to your site?
Standard navigation elements :
- Clickable logo at top left (back to home page)
- Horizontal main menu at top of page
- Universal icons (shopping cart, search, user profile)
- Footer with institutional links
Consistent interactions :
- Identical link colors throughout the site
- Buttons with same hover styles
- Breadcrumb navigation on complex sites
Why it's important : A site that respects conventions reduces users' learning curve, lowers bounce rates and naturally improves engagement.
2. F-Reading: Optimize Your Content Structure
How do users read on the web?
Nielsen Norman Group eye-tracking studies reveal that web users don't read linearly. They scan content in an F-shaped pattern:
- First horizontal line: main title and introduction
- Second, shorter line: sub-headings and beginning of paragraphs
- Left vertical column: keyword search and visual cues
How to structure your content for F-pattern?
Optimized title hierarchy:
- Use H1, H2, H3 tags in the right order
- Include your main keywords in titles
- Write descriptive, catchy titles
Scannable formatting :
- Short paragraphs (3-4 lines maximum)
- Bold keywords to make them stand out
- Bulleted lists for enumerations
- Visual spacing between sections
Why it's important: A clear structure facilitates rapid understanding of content, improves engagement and effectively guides the user to essential information.
3. Fitts' Law: Facilitate User Actions
What is Fitts' Law of UX design?
Fitts' Law states that the larger and closer to the starting point a target is, the faster it is to reach it. This law of motor psychology is crucial to web ergonomics, particularly on mobile devices.
How to optimize your buttons and links?
Action button design :
- Minimum size: 44x44 pixels (Apple/Google recommendation)
- Sufficient spacing between clickable elements
- High color contrast for visibility
Strategic mobile placement:
- Main buttons in thumb area (lower third of screen)
- Hamburger menu accessible from the top
- Secondary actions grouped together and less prominent
Optimized CTAs (Call-to-Action):
- Clear action text ("Buy now", "Download guide")
- Color contrasts with overall design
- Visible position without scrolling (above the fold)
4. Hick's Law: Simplify User Choice
Why does too much choice hurt conversion?
Hick-Hyman's law shows that decision time increases logarithmically with the number of options. This paradox of choice can paralyze the user and drastically reduce your conversions.
How can we reduce the cognitive load?
Simplify menus:
- Maximum 7 items in the main menu
- Logical grouping by category
- Drop-down menus organized hierarchically
Optimize forms:
- Reduce the number of mandatory fields
- Use pre-filled fields whenever possible
- Step-by-step progress for long forms
E-commerce product pages:
- Highlight a recommended product
- Progressive filters rather than all visible
- Comparator limited to 3-4 products maximum
How to measure the impact of these UX Laws?
UX metrics to monitor :
User engagement :
- Bounce rate (target: <40% for most sites)
- Average time spent on site
- Pages per session
Conversion performance :
- Overall conversion rate
- Click-through rate on main CTAs
- Cart abandonment (e-commerce)
Recommended measurement tools:
- Google Analytics 4 for behavioral metrics
- Hotjar or Crazy Egg for heatmaps
- Google Search Console for SEO performance
Conclusion: UX for your digital success
Applying these 4 fundamental UX laws is not optional in today's web. They form the scientific basis for a successful user experience that :
- Improves your natural referencing thanks to better behavioral signals
- Increases conversions by reducing user friction
- Build audience loyalty with intuitive, pleasant navigation
Start by auditing your current site according to these 4 laws, prioritize improvements according to their potential impact, and measure the results. UX is not an expense, it's an investment in the performance of your digital business.