UX is an abbreviation for User Experience. It describes the ease of use that visitors in a website are presented with. It is often used in relationship to UI, which stands for User Interface. The User Interface is a term used to describe the presentation of the website or app. So, in practice, you have to improve the UI, so that visitors will have a better UX. The UI is the code and business side of the equation, and the UX is how it impacts visitors.
The dos and don'ts of mobile app UX design
1.Show users the way forward with focused calls to action
- DON'T squander above-the-fold real estate on ambiguous calls to action or irrelevant content.
- DO make common tasks easily accessible.
- DO employ micro-interactions (short animations) to demonstrate required actions, such as typing into a box or flicking a switch.
- DO provide real-time feedback and validation to reassure users that something is happening. Again, rather than staring at a blank screen, micro-interactions keep users engaged and entertained (imagine a moving egg-timer with the message "we're processing your payment").
- DO make it simple to request assistance, such as through click-to-call or chat functions.
2. Make onboarding easier with familiar navigation patterns
- DON'T include a search function in a menu.
- DON'T make users pinch to zoom in on images or scroll horizontally.
- DO provide a one-click return to Home.
- DO keep your most important links visible at all times. If necessary, secondary items can be housed in a collapsed or slide-out menu.
3. Eliminate distractions that interrupt a user's task flow
- DON'T force users to restart when they change to mobile; instead, create continuity between your desktop and mobile experiences by pre-filling and retaining as much data as possible.
- DON'T interrupt the user's experience with pop-ups or new windows.
- DO divide multi-step processes into smaller tasks.
- DO provide alternate inputs, such as voice. While accessibility is important, this is quickly becoming a popular preference — from Siri and Alexa to WhatsApp voice notes, we're shifting from typing to talking.
4. Make every design element on screen count
- DON'T make selections using small target areas. Apple recommends a 44px square minimum.
- DON'T make it difficult to enter data. Instead of a long drop-down menu, use a visual calendar to select dates. And keep forms simple: ask for the bare minimum of information (avoiding "optional" fields), pre-fill where possible, and provide a keyboard for entering credit card numbers.
- DON'T include animations just for the sake of it. Avoid distractions and make sure each element serves a purpose.
- DO use typography (consistent heading levels, for example) and visual contrast (such as dark mode) to create a clear visual hierarchy and avoid screen glare.
- DO make one-handed navigation easier by placing important options in the 'thumb zone.'
5. Be intentional with users' requests
- DON'T restrict user exploration with early registration.
- DON'T request information unless you have a compelling reason to do so (like location data).
- DO allow single sign-on (for example with Facebook or Google credentials).
- DO allow guests to check out.
6. Be inclusive
- DO ensure that your design is usable by all users, regardless of ability. Physical disabilities, visual impairments, and reading difficulties can all make app use difficult, so make it as simple as possible.
- DO use inclusive language and imagery in your copy (for example, gender-neutral language) (reflecting the diversity of your audience).
- DO value diversity. The more diverse your team, the better equipped they will be to understand and incorporate different experiences and perspectives into your product.
- DON'T forget about your users. Learn everything you can about them so that your app reflects who they are.
7. Make it personal
- DON'T send out generic marketing emails that may not be timely or relevant to all customers.
- DO use personalized push notifications: right message, right person, right time.
- DO think about your onboarding process and allow users to personalize the app as much as possible.
- DO continue to listen: collect user feedback and study behavioral data. Then give them more of what they like — a surefire way to keep them coming back.
8. Make it fun
- DON'T simply give users a list of instructions; they will quickly lose interest. Starting with your onboarding process, gamification and reward techniques can significantly increase engagement. To keep users moving, display progress and assign reward badges.
- DO make the rewards worthwhile. Completing certain tasks may result in the unlocking of additional features or the accumulation of loyalty points that result in a discount.
- DO instill healthy competition, such as by establishing challenges and creating leaderboards. This is common in health apps, which encourage users to increase their activity.
9. Touch, gesture and haptic feedback
- DO allow users to use the mobile gestures they're used to — swiping, tapping, dragging, and so on — and make sure your app responds as expected.
- DO think about using haptic feedback (the little vibration that indicates something has happened) to increase interest and engagement.
- DON'T overuse haptic feedback to the point of annoyance.
10. Create a conversation
- DON'T force users to leave your app to contact you.
- DO make use of in-app notifications to alert users to specific features, tasks, or offers (but be careful not to interrupt their flow).
- DO solicit in-app feedback. Requesting a quick rating, net promoter score, or brief review while they're already using your app is an efficient way to collect user feedback and identify any problems.
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