What does ‘data out’ mean?
In web development and design, the term ‘data out’ refers to the process of using user and web analytics data you have collected to make user experience improvements on your website.
If you you wish to gain a more in-depth understanding of this concept, check out the FAQ section below:
Question #1: What activities does data out consist of?
The activities data out consists of include:
- Website revamp
- Conversion rate optimisation
- Web copy optimisation
- Loading time optimisation
- Call-to-action review
- Mobile optimisation
- Accessibility improvements
Let us take a look at each one in more detail:
First, as the name suggests, website revamp refers to the act of completely overhauling your existing website to make it more user friendly. This consists of things such as:
- A full website audit
- Graphics overhaul
- Copy overhaul
- Structure overhaul
This is a good way to ensure your website stays current.
Second, the term ‘conversion rate optimisation’ refers to the process of tweaking your website’s elements and overall layout to make it easier for users to take the action you need them to take, such us signing up for an event, downloading a whitepaper, joining a mailing list, or making a purchase.
Third, web copy optimisation is the process of refining the text content on your website so it naturally guides users to the content they want to see (and the action you want them to take). The goal is to minimise (or completely eliminate) and friction points along the way. Keep in mind that if you make the user work hard to get things done on your website, there is a big chance they will move on to someone else.
Fourth, loading time optimisation, as you may have guessed, means tweaking your website so it loads faster. With so many other websites competing for your target audience’s attention, making them wait too long to get the content they want is a good way to lose them to your competitors.
Fifth, call-to-action review is the process of going over all your calls-to-action and finding and implementing ways to make them more visible and effective, such as changing their copy, color, or placement.
Sixth, mobile optimisation is just that: making sure your website works perfectly on mobile devices. With more and more people spending more and more time on smartphones and tablets, keeping your website desktop-only is a bad idea.
Finally, accessibility improvements consists of things such as:
- Adding alt text to relevant images
- Using the appropriate HTML tags to help screen readers make sense of the content on your website
- Adding descriptions to all non-text content on your website
- Labelling all inputs, form controls, and other user interface components
The more data you have to work with, the easier it would be for you to make the right user experience improvements to your website.
Question #2: What kinds of data can I use as data out?
The kinds of data you can use as data out include:
- User/demographic data
- Web analytics
- Survey results
- Interview answers
- Customer feedback
At the end of the day, as long as a piece of data helps you identify ways to improve the user experience of your website, then you can use it as data out.
Question #3: How do I collect data I can use as data out?
You can collect data out using a variety of tools, including:
- Web analytics
- Survey forms
- Feedback forms
- CRM tools
- Social media analytics
- Interviews
- Ad platform analytics
Question #4: What are the benefits of data out?
The main benefit of data out is that it allows you to provide your target users a better browsing experience, which, in turn, can help:
- Improve your conversion rates
- Reduce your bounce rates
- Increase your engagement
- Boost your site traffic
- Expand your reach
- Boost your sales