User experience is the most important thing for any app developer. Regardless of whether your app has all the most impressive features and metrics (during your alpha testing stage), people will either like using it or dislike it at the end of the day.
Still, the very concept of experience is quite elusive. How do you build an experience? This sounds as abstract as trying to make a meal that people will like. Which people? What does this even mean?
Fortunately, we live in the age of data, research, and analytics, so we know quite a bit about factors that affect user experience. Here’s how you can apply (no pun intended) this knowledge to create an outstanding app.
1. Keep the hardware in mind
No one likes an app that crashes or slows down, especially on older or less powerful devices. So, make sure your app works smoothly, even on low-end hardware. This ensures that a wider audience can enjoy it without frustration, and you won’t alienate potential users due to performance issues.
When developing your app, you don’t need to obsess over every single hardware specification out there. Focus on building an app that adapts to a range of devices without getting bogged down by technical details.
The same thing goes for the manufacturing process. For instance, while understanding the concept of THT assembly is important and can help you put things into perspective, you don’t really need it to understand what kind of processor the device uses. You don’t need to understand the mechanism of a watch to tell time. Still, extra knowledge never hurts. This is especially the case when trying to figure out a difference in hardware quality.
Most users don’t care about how it works behind the scenes; they just want it to work.
It’s a good idea to design your app to take advantage of high-end hardware, but it still runs fine on older devices. Better processors or GPUs might enhance the experience, but that doesn’t mean users with less powerful tech should suffer. Balance is key here; don’t overcomplicate it.
Tech moves fast. While your app doesn’t need to support cutting-edge hardware right now, it’s smart to design it with the future in mind. Features like 8K resolution or higher refresh rates may not be standard today, but they could be soon. Staying flexible keeps your app relevant for longer.
2. Simplify onboarding process
Make the sign-up process simple. Let users register using Google, Facebook, or their email (giving them more choices is always good). No one wants to spend ages filling out forms, so keep it brief. The easier you make it to start using your app, the less friction users will face.
When someone opens your app for the first time, a brief tutorial can help them understand how things work. Don’t overwhelm them, though – just highlight the essentials. A walkthrough that introduces key features sets them up for success, making the app feel accessible and user-friendly.
You really don’t want people to have to look for external tutorials to learn how to do basic things in your app. So, offering some in-app tips for guidance can save everyone a lot of time and frustration. It’s more convenient for your audience, which is all that should matter.
People don’t like long forms, plain and simple. Asking for too much information upfront can push users away. So, keep it minimal. Only ask for what’s necessary, and let them skip the rest. You can always gather more details later if needed, but don’t scare them off initially.
Not every user wants to complete every step of the setup process right away. Give them the option to skip things like profile customization or syncing contacts. This lets them jump into your app’s core functionality immediately and return to those tasks when they’re ready. They can always return to this at a later date.
3. Prioritize speed and performance
People hate waiting, and if your app takes too long to load, they’ll likely move on to something else. You see, every second counts to keep your user engaged. Make sure that loading times are as short as possible, whether it’s launching the app or loading content within it.
No one likes a huge app that takes forever to download and eats up storage space. Aim to keep your app’s file size small and efficient. This not only makes it easier for users to download but also opens up your app to a broader audience, especially those with limited storage space.
Too many background processes can drain a device’s battery and slow down performance. By keeping background tasks to a minimum, you ensure that your app runs smoothly without hogging resources. Users will appreciate an app that respects their device’s power and runs efficiently without unnecessary strain. It may sound strange, but this definitely depends on the utility value of an app.
Caching is a great way to improve performance. By storing frequently used data locally, your app can load it faster when users need it. This reduces the need for constant server requests and helps speed up the overall user experience, especially in areas with slower internet connections.
People will be using your app in all sorts of places, some with great internet connections, others with spotty service. It’s crucial to test how your app performs in different network environments. This way, whether users are on Wi-Fi or mobile data, they’ll still have a smooth experience.
4. Focus on intuitive design
Users need to feel confident moving through your app. Keeping navigation consistent across all sections helps them find what they need without confusion. When every button or menu works the way they expect, the experience feels more intuitive and less frustrating, which is exactly what you want.
Don’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to your app’s interface. Stick with familiar UI elements that users already know how to interact with. For example, everyone understands how a hamburger menu works. This familiarity makes your app easier to use and ensures people can dive right in without hesitation.
A lot of people use apps on touchscreens, so make sure your buttons are large enough to tap without frustration. Tiny buttons lead to misclicks, which frustrate users. By designing with comfortable button sizes, you’re making your app more accessible and ensuring a better overall experience.
When users interact with your app, they need feedback to know their actions are being processed. Whether it’s a button lighting up or a loading icon, visual cues make the experience feel smoother. This eliminates confusion and reassures users that the app responds to their input.
We all make mistakes when using apps, but confusing error messages can make things worse. Instead of vague or technical language, write error messages that tell users exactly what went wrong and how to fix it. This prevents frustration and helps users solve problems quickly, keeping the experience positive.
5. Personalize experience
People love personalization, and using data can help you deliver content that’s more relevant to each user. Whether it’s showing them products they’re likely to buy or content they’ll enjoy, tailoring the experience makes them feel like the app was designed just for them, which keeps them coming back.
By analyzing how users interact with your app, you can suggest features, products, or content that match their interests. This enhances their experience and makes the app feel more intuitive. Moreover, when people see suggestions they actually care about, they’re more likely to stay engaged.
Push notifications can be a great way to keep users informed, but only if they’re users wisely. No one wants to be bombarded with irrelevant alerts. Focus on sending timely and relevant notifications that add value to the user’s experience, such as important updates, new features, or personalized offers.
Letting users personalize their app experience makes them feel more in control. Whether it’s changing the theme, layout, or notification settings, customization options empower users to tailor the app to their preferences. Plus, it adds a unique touch that can make your app stand out from the crowd.
Personalized recommendations based on previous interactions can make the user experience more engaging. Whether it’s suggesting content, products, or app features, users appreciate when the app feels like it “knows” them. It keeps them engaged, makes their experience smoother, and adds a thoughtful personalization touch.
In order to improve user experience, you have to break it down into components
Experience is hard to explain. When you say that you liked a vacation, what did you really like? The food, the scenery, the fact that you were away from work, or the fact that you met someone new and interesting while you were there? Whe same thing can be applied to user experience. First, you need to figure out what makes people like/dislike using your app. Only then can you work towards improving it.
