What role does user experience play in conversion optimization?

User experience is fundamental to conversion optimization—poor UX creates friction that prevents conversions. Good UX makes it easy for users to understand your value proposition, find what they need, and complete desired actions. Key UX elements include clear navigation, fast load times, mobile responsiveness, intuitive forms, and helpful error messages. UX improvements often have the biggest impact on conversion rates because they address fundamental usability issues. However, UX and conversion optimization aren't identical—UX focuses on ease of use, while CRO focuses on driving specific actions. The best results come from combining both approaches. Example: Improving form UX with better labels, inline validation, and progress indicators can increase form completions by 20-30%.