Since 2006, we have been designing and creating digital products. Since our experience reveals us to be accurate, it stands to reason that people will gravitate toward apps that offer user experiences they find more pleasant - particularly companies that emphasize mobile-first user engagement as a primary way of customer engagement with brands. Mobile UX designers should, therefore, make it their goal to craft designs that stand out.
As anyone who has designed or worked in design teams can attest, an ineffective user experience (UX) can lead to users uninstalling an application altogether; thus, applications designed by User Experience designers must focus on being intuitive, usable and enjoyable for end-users.
What is a UX in a Mobile App?
UX (user experience ) of mobile applications refers to their overall experience when using them on devices like phones, tablets or wearable devices.
"Mobile UX" refers to designing web pages and apps with user experience at its center, where the user journey (UX) and design interface for potential users come together seamlessly. User journey refers to experience, while design interface (UI) describes elements a user uses directly within graphic design.
If You Haven't Thought About App User Experience (UX) for Mobile Apps
By 2025, nearly three-quarters (or 3.7 billion) of all internet users will exclusively utilize smartphones to connect. Users who rely on these mobile phones expect an optimal mobile experience in speed, convenience and enjoyment.
Additionally, 38% will download an app to complete a transaction, yet half of users uninstall the application after purchasing. Half of applications are deleted within 30 days; further complicating things, users only use five applications regularly.
Your App's UX must continually show its worth to maintain user attention and loyalty. Stickiness comes into play if your app solves user problems easily and engages them effectively - increasing lifecycle value while driving growth. Make their lives simpler, add context, or provide moments of enjoyment, all of which contribute towards excellent UX. By emphasizing such characteristics, your UX could quickly go from good to excellent!
Need for Speed
Below are a few strategies for improving user experience (UX). However, before going any further, remember that up to 70% of app users abandon applications that take too long to download (typically defined as more than five seconds).
Apps that fail to deliver will likely go ignored, regardless of their attractive appearance, attractive copy, and cutting-edge features. Back-end performance must be optimized to run seamlessly on all devices without draining battery or memory resources; crashes should never occur!
Comparison of Desktop and Mobile UX
Significant UX differences exist between mobile and desktop apps based on user context and environment; here are the main ones.
Workspaces: Real and Virtual
Desktop users often multitask using several tabs or applications simultaneously, using full-size keyboards in a secure workspace with constant lighting conditions.
Users tend to remain focused when using mobile phones for urgent tasks, even if this task requires moving quickly, performing two simultaneous activities (think of coffee runs or collecting dry cleaning), or having internet or bandwidth restrictions that hinder productivity.
Screen and Display Orientation
Users with desktop computers typically enjoy one or multiple high-resolution displays that make information or calls to action easily available for browsing or scrolling. In contrast, mobile screens may have restricted space that requires placing content where people will notice and placing calls-to-action where people pay attention.
Visual Clues and Language
Mobile app design must have a consistent and straightforward layout if users want to reach their destinations efficiently. Patterns help users understand what needs to happen even when instructions haven't explicitly been stated.
Desktop interfaces differ significantly from mobile ones in their visual cues for common features and actions (for instance, mobile users typically recognize visual patterns such as hamburger icons or three-lined icons to indicate collapsed lists). Still, desktop designs provide service designers more freedom when approaching user experience design (UX). Mobiles usually rely on visual patterns with universal appeal, such as hamburger menu icons that make navigation simple, but desktops give designers greater choice in how they approach UX design.
Continuity and Consistency
Since 2014, mobile has outshone desktop usage. Thanks to Google's emphasis on mobile indexing and user experience, UX designer are increasingly adapting their designs for mobile first. Start by considering small screens like an Apple Watch or iPhone as primary input points for design, then adapt to larger displays.
This can involve providing an uninterrupted journey between native and mobile apps by employing technologies like deep linking or deferred deep dive links. These visual cues reinforce brand values consistent with those used within brand properties. We will explore below how product teams can make strategic decisions that benefit their strategy.
Android vs. iOS App UX
Your app must be available both to Apple users and Android ones to maximize its reach, but to do this successfully, and you need to follow each system's design guidelines: Flat Design for iOS and Material Design on Android, respectively, as well as be aware of UX differences that should also be kept in mind.
There are also differences in navigation methods across platforms; iOS users must swipe backwards to navigate back, while Android users use a button at the bottom for screen navigation. Android uses a hamburger-style menu, while iOS utilizes a tab bar for screen switching; similarly, floating activity buttons appear differently, and their design differs.
To give your customers an awesome experience, all these aspects must be carefully considered - from app icon shape and tap area size to user engagement metrics and retention rates.
Outlining the Process of Designing a Mobile App
Mobile app design follows similar processes as any user-centered process; however, it requires making decisions early about its development path.
Here are a few actions you might wish to remember:
Assess all available development options and select one that best meets your and your users' requirements. Three choices exist:
- Native : Develop an application targeting one operating system - typically Apple iOS or Google Android OS. Adhere to all guidelines published for app distribution, design, and development.
- Adaptive: This is used when multiple versions of an app or website are built for various devices, starting with smaller screens and going upward. A hybrid approach may also be utilized when building apps/websites that work across platforms and operating systems - though end-user experiences should remain unchanged from native applications.
- Responsive: Responsive web development is widely seen as the best solution for building sites and apps tailored for today's mobile users. Unfortunately, responsive sites don't exist through app stores.
- Create a user persona: Your research must combine primary and secondary methods. Focusing on users, understanding their challenges in using your application and coming up with concrete, practical solutions to assist them in reaching their goals is paramount to creating successful apps.
- Identify the key interactions: Prioritize content in terms and calls-to-action that enable users to move efficiently through their experience at each touchpoint, determine which are most essential in terms of interactions and then prioritize accordingly for an optimized user journey. Focus on finding out the essential interactions at every user touchpoint before assigning priority tagging content/Calls-To-Action that help people through it quickly.
- Turn sketches into wireframes: Create individual screens using simple wireframes to establish a navigational system and hierarchy of information. Simpler wireframes offer more room for feedback.
- You can then test the prototypes: Prototypes provide you with an ideal way to test the steps in your flow with users and see where there may be gaps or potential areas for improvement. They're an invaluable way to collect feedback throughout the design process - early and frequent testing is key!
- Add layers of detail: After getting feedback from users and your team, make changes due to users' or your team's suggestions from visual elements changing styles or switching to real copy with each test round. Augmented reality may help enhance user experiences - for instance, showing what a particular product would look like in different environments.
Mobile UX design should keep things as straightforward and intuitive as possible. Mobile restrictions can work to your advantage by forcing you to focus on only the best content, interactions and features; how can you minimize clutter to increase focus?
Related:- UIUX Design v/s Frontend Development
Designing Mobile Apps: Dos and Don'ts
Industry experts from the interaction design foundation assert that users on mobile devices have 50% less comprehension. Therefore, content, navigation, and visual design should be twice as intuitive as desktops.
- Use specific calls to action to point users in the right direction do not waste space above the fold with ineffective calls-to-action or irrelevant content; make common tasks accessible with micro-interactions such as typing in boxes and pressing buttons to show required actions, e.g. typing text boxes and then clicking buttons.
- Do give users real-time feedback and confirmation that something is happening.
- Microinteractions are an engaging way to keep users entertained rather than staring blankly at their screens.
- Make it simple for people to get help when needed by using features like chat or click-to-call functions.
1. Using Recognizable Navigation Patterns to Facilitate Onboarding
- Be wary of hidden search in menus.
- Do not force users to pinch images to zoom or push horizontal scrolling.
- DO provides an accessible path back home that requires only one click.
- Keep your most essential links visible at all times.
- Secondary items may be placed into a menu that collapses or slides out as needed.
2. Distractions That Interfere With a User's Task Flow Must Be Eliminated
- Never force users to start from scratch when switching from PC or other platforms to mobile.
- Maintain continuity by pre-filling data and maintaining as much of it as possible - such as by not employing pop-ups or new windows that disrupt users' experiences.
- Break up complex tasks into smaller steps.
- DO provide alternative forms of inputs such as voice.
- Not only is voice an invaluable form of accessibility, but its popularity has grown over time - from Siri and Alexa's voice searches to WhatsApp voice messages, people increasingly opt to speak their thoughts rather than type.
3. The Importance of Each Design Element on the Screen
- Use large target areas when making your selections. Apple suggests a square of at least 44 pixels.
- Don't make data entry difficult. Instead of a lengthy drop-down list, use a visual calendar for selecting dates. Keep forms as simple as possible: only ask for what you need, avoid 'optional fields' and pre-fill the necessary information.
- Add animations only if you want to. Don't add animations just for the sake of it.
- To reduce screen reflection, create a visual hierarchy using typography, such as consistent heading levels and contrasts (like the dark mode).
- Make one-handed operation easy by placing key options in the "thumb zone."
4. Use Intentionality When Responding to User Requests
- Do not require users to register upfront before exploring, with only compelling reasons being needed for data requests such as location.
- Allow single sign-on options like using Facebook credentials or Google credentials as single sign-on mechanisms.
- Finally, allow guests to check out and check out as needed.
5. Be Inclusive
- Make your app usable by all, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
- Assuring accessibility for those with impairment is also key; include target audiences in both text (using gender-neutral language and images that depict diversity) and images created to address that target.
- DO embrace diversity. Diversity is integral, as larger marketing teams incorporate various perspectives and experiences more seamlessly into your product or service.
- Keep your users in mind.
- Learn as much as possible about them so your app reflects their character.
6. Make it Yours
- Sending generic emails that are irrelevant can be a costly mistake.
- Instead, utilize personalized push notifications to deliver timely and pertinent messages at the right time.
- In addition, allow users to fully personalize your app as soon as they register an account.
- Listen carefully to your users: collect feedback and examine their behavior; offer more of what your customers like -- this will keep them coming back for more!
7. Have Fun
- Start by providing users with engaging onboarding procedures that use gamification and rewards techniques for maximum user engagement, whether showing progress reports or issuing badges to keep users interested.
- Make rewards more worthwhile.
- By completing specific tasks and earning loyalty points, you could unlock new features or receive discounts via loyalty point accumulation.
- Create healthy competition between users by setting leaderboards and setting challenges - this strategy is often seen in health apps that encourage increased activity levels among their users.
8. Gesture, Haptic Feedback, and Touch
- Users will benefit from using gestures they are used to, like swiping and tapping, in your application to ensure it meets their expectations.
- When considering haptic feedback as part of this increasing engagement and interest strategy.
- Just don't allow it to become annoying!
9. Start a Conversation
- Make it easier for users to stay inside your app.
- Utilize notifications (without interrupting flow) to inform users about upcoming features, tasks or offers.
- DO seek in-app feedback.
- Polling users to rate or review your app while in use can provide invaluable insight and identify any problems quickly and efficiently.
App Experience Best Practices
1. Keep Your App Design Simple
Users who use your app typically have goals when they access it; when obstacles get in their way, they could become frustrated and spend more time and money than anticipated. An application's unwanted features could also distract users from reaching their objectives. When designing a simple-to-use mobile app, it should use minimalist principles, keeping everything as minimal as possible without losing all its capabilities but appearing boring or primitive.
Here is what this means:
Cognitive load, usability and actions on logical analysis for success: all actions taken are logical in their approach simple actions and design apps should adhere to functional minimalism principles when creating their design, such as laconic graphics with enough spacing between elements and a pleasing color palette. Dials is at the heart of great communities worldwide by helping HOAS manage themselves more efficiently through automating collection, reconciliation and compliance processes."
Many believe a picture can speak volumes; our brain can process images more readily than text alone. With that in mind, our goal was to harmonize imagery and text. Dials' website and app for mobile are excellent examples of clean design. Their white background helps make images and information easily readable, while their blue and pink colors create an atmosphere of trust for their brand.
2. Create an Intuitive and Consistent App
An effective interface should guide users smoothly through an app - the less they have to think about how the application functions, the better!
Your users can only take full advantage of your unique features and piece of content if they can easily locate it. Include easy-to-find elements so they can navigate between screens without issue, and design principles menus that take up minimal space.
3. Interactive Your App
What do people do with their phone while holding it?
Understanding user interactions with mobile devices is central to designing effective navigation. Interacting with different applications often necessitates using various approaches; users hold their phones differently depending on context.
Take bottom navigation as an example: its user interface has moved downward over time, according to research done by Steven Hoober and Josh Clark on how mobile devices are held and operated. We typically switch between three basic grips when we use smartphones; use only one hand for interaction!
Using Gestures
Certain habits form when users interact with their smartphones. Respecting and using them in your app will provide users with an enhanced experience and greater user engagement.
On an iPhone, using a swipe gesture to navigate back is as simple as moving from the left to right edge of the screen - provided your app supports this feature! Other gestures for going back may include pinching to zoom with two fingers or 3D Touch; any app wishing to provide superior user experiences must include such options in its arsenal of user experience features.
Animations
Humans are naturally drawn to animations and visually attractive elements, making apps more fun. You can make your app even more interesting for users by adding smooth animations that follow its actions, such as long pressing on menu items. Animations also attract users' attention and ensure they remember it later.
Gamification
Implementing game mechanics that complement your app's goals and target audience is one way to engage users, elevating the User Experience through challenges, entertainment and other aspects.
5. Blurring Technique
This method provides an effective way of testing accents and understanding first impressions from users. Take, for instance, the screen which has been "blurred". Select an option before clicking the red button - Once done, you will see your original design skills below!
Accents may have become disjointed and left the user confused, yet using the blur technique and checking for primary and secondary components as needed (including adding accents as appropriate) should easily restore them to their proper positions and add contrast where required to make important interface elements visible and legible even under poor lighting conditions.
6. Mobile Form Design
Each form's main aim should be completion; therefore, mobile design forms to make filling them out as straightforward and painless for users as possible. Avoid long and complicated forms in favor of simple yet fast interactions to reduce the effort required from filling them out by users; consider autofill to streamline this process even more for them.
These are a few tips.
- Spread large forms over several screens so that they can be completed step by step
- Fill out only the necessary fields on the forms
- To speed up the form-filling process, use the "forward" or "back" thumb button to move forward and backward.
- Use scroll bars instead
7. Direct Feedback
Understanding user requirements and needs is paramount when building an app with exceptional UX planet. To determine where improvements need to be made in your app, obtaining feedback from trusted customers regarding which elements they like/dislike is key to identifying where improvements must occur.
In-app surveys provide an efficient alternative to traditional polls that allows direct communication with users while gathering necessary feedback to decide on any necessary modifications and upgrades for an app. The in-app survey allows direct user communication while giving valuable insights that allow app makers to tailor features more closely towards active user needs and preferences.
Be mindful of reviews in Google Play, and App Store reviews to gain valuable information that will aid in design decision-making regarding what needs to change or improve for success. Observing reviews gives insight into customer sentiment analysis, which provides invaluable information that may inform these decisions.
At BAU5, one of our projects, we analyzed feedback we received about it and have drawn several conclusions based on that feedback. Here are a few.
- Take "Sign Up with Facebook" out of the App. App Store feedback helped us conduct a UX audit. After analyzing all the reviews and reasons why people shouldn't register via Facebook, we concluded it was worth ending this partnership. It is because Facebook collects people's data that should remain confidential.
- Rest time is more available.. BAU5 users have complained that they would like to spend more time resting because it was difficult to locate the equipment in the gym. Our developers are adding the options "+1 minute", "+2 minutes", and "+3 minutes" to ensure that people have enough time both for resting and searching for equipment. Developer's long response. To solve the problem, we decided to automate our response through Facebook or Instagram. Chatbots will automatically send the chatterbot the different variations of the issue and the quick solutions. The user may ask questions if the issue isn't listed. They will receive a response within 24 hours.
8. Text
The text in your application must be clear, concise and readable.
- The text must be easily readable.
Text that can easily be read without magnifying should contrast well against its background, at least 11 points high and at least 11 points wide. Font, letter spacing and line spacing also play an important role. Apple and Google recommend keeping font size to 12 points to ensure user retention can read information without zooming in, also helping maintain an optimal viewing distance from device users.
- The text should be concise.
Only put a small amount of text on one screen. Your text will be easier to understand if it is shorter.
- Images can replace text.
It is best to use an image instead of text. Short videos or pictures are better than lengthy texts.
9.Increase Speed
Waiting too long for screens or features of an application to load can become very irritating; according to Google/SOASTA Research, apps taking longer than five seconds to load have an increased bounce rate and result in lost users.
By offloading Real-Time data, optimizing images, lightening code, reducing plug-ins, using cache memory and updating your app regularly, you can increase its speed significantly - hence, speed up its performance! Monitor its performance regularly to detect or resolve any potential issues as soon as they arise.
10. User Assistance
At times, it can be easy to overlook the importance of providing user support. Make it as straightforward and user-friendly as possible for them to locate help or assistance, usually found in mobile applications' single menu or toolbar. Furthermore, it provides multiple channels through which people can receive help, including self-serve FAQs, live support via click-to-call or client contact buttons, self-service options via online helpdesk chatbots, or click-to-contact client support buttons.
Our team developed multiple apps designed to offer user support.
11. Proper App Testing
Before releasing an app for public release, ensure it has been thoroughly tested multiple times before release. Doing this will ensure it works smoothly without crashes and bugs, with user testing providing the most reliable means of ascertaining its usability - this method is called remote testing.
Remote testing software will enable users to record their experience while using your app in their environment and give valuable feedback before it goes live.
UX Audits provide another means of testing your app or website. As we all know too well, websites or applications often create feelings of uncertainty and doubt for visitors and clients alike, which is why we are thrilled to launch the express object oriented UX Audit service - created specifically to locate any critical issues impacting online businesses based on UX Best Practices and address each one.
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
Conclusion
UX design services involves three key considerations. If these aspects of user experience (UX) are effectively executed, your app could end up on users' home screens and become their go-to app for browsing content.
Key Takeaways
- Context awareness cannot be underestimated: mobile device users switch seamlessly from mode to mode. App developers for mobile apps need to know when and how their user flow will utilize their product category.
- Mobile app designers must utilize its constraints as an advantage when developing mobile applications to focus on their product's essential messages and actions. Give users clear paths to accomplish your intended outcomes within your app.
- As part of your feature and flow mobile design efforts, always ask how things could become simpler, quicker, smoother or even more engaging for users.
Technology may assist with this goal but cannot replace real user testing and reviews.
