Have you ever landed on a website and known exactly where to click, without reading a single word?
You didn’t have to think. That’s the icon doing its job.
We see icons all the time on the websites we visit. But icons are not just there to look good and add personality to your design. Used well, icons help people find their way around your website more quickly and with far less effort.
Let’s explore how to use icons to make your website easier to navigate.
Use universal symbols
When choosing icons, resist the urge to get clever. People skimming your website are not going to pause and puzzle over small details and nuances. Use symbols that everyone already understands, so no one has to stop and decode what they mean.
For example, a rubbish bin usually represents the delete function. It tells people what will happen if they click the icon, in this case, to throw away files they are no longer using. A magnifying glass usually represents search functionality, often found in the header or footer on an ecommerce website, ready for people to search for specific products. Another example is a shopping cart for a checkout button. People glance at these icons and know instantly what to expect.
Consider your end user here. What icons will they already recognise? What will resonate without a second thought?
Use simple icons
Icons shouldn’t be overly detailed or complicated. The simpler the design, the more recognisable and understandable they are, which makes it easier for visitors to take action, whether that’s clicking a button or opening a menu. Complex icons do the opposite. They confuse people, which ultimately causes them to leave.
For example, a basic closed envelope reads instantly as “email.” Add lots of colours, use an unusual angle, or a detailed background, and you’ve lost that instant recognition.
Add text for context
Icons speak, but they don’t always tell the whole story. The bin and the magnifying glass are universally understood. Other icons are not so clear cut. That doesn’t mean you should avoid creative icons. In fact, creative symbols can add a human touch and visual interest to your website. In this case, add a small piece of text besides the icon to clarify what it means.
Take a house icon. It could mean “we look after your home.” It could just as easily mean “we care about your family.” Two very different messages, so it’s helpful to spell out which one you intend by adding some descriptive text beside the icon.
Consider why you have chosen this icon. What does it represent? What is it trying to say?
Maintain a consistent style
Using a consistent design style on your website matters. And icons are no exception. This includes using icons from the same family, with matching stroke weights. Also ensure you use icons of consistent colours and sizes. This means they look part of the same brand, rather than a random selection.
For example, when searching for icons, you will find filled shapes, line icons, or even an illustrated style. Get clear on what style aligns best with your brand and apply it consistently.
Choose a style that best reflects your brand and appeals to your end user.
Give breathing room
Ensure the icons you use on your website have plenty of space around them. This is especially important when the icons are clickable. If they are too close together, people will struggle to tap on the right icon, especially on mobile.
Picture three icons in a row. Now imagine trying to tap the middle one accurately if they’re pressed right up against each other.
Aim for around one centimetre of spacing between icons, on both desktop and mobile.
In conclusion, good icon design isn’t about creating something mesmerising. The best icons go unnoticed. Visitors don’t consciously register that a bin means delete or a cart means checkout. They just act. The moment someone stops to think “what does this mean?” is the moment your icon has failed, even if it looks beautiful.
A website that never makes people pause or guess feels effortless to use. And this is what keeps people on your website and buying from you.