by mariana4 Common UI Design Pitfalls to Avoid
UI designers are constantly rushing to keep up with evolving user interaction habits. This rush has made the allure of employing the same interaction design techniques across different mediums difficult to resist. In truth, keeping interaction patterns and designs tailored to specific mediums is crucial. One repercussion of designers speeding through their processes is assumption making, especially with mobile apps.
COMMON PITFALLS TO AVOID WHEN DESIGNING FOR MOBILE APP UI
1. AUTOMATICALLY REQUIRING USERS TO CREATE ACCOUNTS
It’s always helpful to gather data, but users don’t always need to create an account. Depending on the services an app provides, users might not want to. Especially before they know it will be useful to them. Think about the equal exchange required for users to fill out a form under inbound marketing methodology. It has to be worth it.
If users don’t create an account, their data can be stored locally. If or when they decide to create one it can be transferred. Giving users the option to access the app as guests or trial users is a great way to allow them to experience its value for themselves before signing up.
3. RELYING TOO HEAVILY ON COMMON PRACTICES
Designers should tailor all interaction patterns to fit the unique application, no matter how standard. This holds true for form fields, menus, everything. Keeping things custom-tailored will allow you to perfect every feature of your app. It will also give you an opportunity to integrate your branding into more subtle features of the user experience.
3. REQUIRING NEW USERS TO SWIPE THROUGH A TUTORIAL
Tutorials can be helpful, but allowing users to experience the value of your app by actually using it is key to keeping them loyal. Think about apps you’ve downloaded in the past. How helpful did it feel to swipe through instructions? Most likely, not very.
If you do believe this type of onboarding is necessary for your app, remember to keep the tutorial as concise as possible and allow users to come back to it through a help menu after using your app for a while.
4. RELYING ON THE DEFAULT “ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS” DIALOG
This dialog can come in handy, but it doesn’t provide users with enough information about why the app needs the permissions it does. Building your own “allow notifications” dialog into your app lets you tell users why your notifications are important. It lets them know you won’t be overloading them with spam. You can show the default dialog after users select “allow.”
In the end, UI/UX design falls right in line with most other digital trades. It will continue to be held to the rising standards of users interested in doing things for themselves and being educated when they need to.
This list is just the tip of the iceberg, but the underlying message is what really counts. Be thoughtful about your designs, keep your ideal users in mind, and provide them with the features they want in the ways they want them. You won’t be sorry!
Download Our Free Guide for More Web Design Tips!
Book Your Call Now!