The term 'Mobile first' was born when the expansion of mobile app development was spreading like a fire in the IT market. The key to a successful business lies with the implementation of world-class design principles to mobile apps.
According to GoodFirms Mobile App Usage Survey, people now use 13 apps daily, while having 51 non-native apps installed on their mobile.
Another fact that knocks your mind is the presence of more than 5.8 billion apps in the App Store and Google Play store. Therefore, it becomes mandatory to outshine all other apps in the stores. How would you ensure that every visitor gets attracted only to your app?
This article is aimed to provide the mobile app designers the best possible ways to focus on designs that engage the audience and would avoid the abandonment of the app.
Let us dive into the details.
1. Responsive Designs
With the full range of devices available in the market, your mobile app should show excellent compatibility with all of them. If you have researched the market, the choices made by the consumers show a significant diversion from the demand of the popular platform. Therefore businesses should make it a mandate to develop a mobile app which is compatible with all the devices and platforms unless a single set is targetted.
It is expected that the companies should be able to handle all the device-related issues in the long run efficiently.
2. Experiment with Iterative Designs
Do you what is iterative development?
Iterative development is all about using information from various methods of evaluation like user testing.
How can this help in mobile app design?
- To create responsively and engaging apps for particular demographics, UI is iterated.
- Get actionable insights from actual users. This is possible with the addition of in-app user behavior analytics solution in your app which, in turn, helps in understanding the usage of your app by the people.
3. Simplicity at its best
If you are a mobile app designer then I am sure you are aware of the KISS model in UX design. Keep it Simple Stupid (KISS) is a favorite and preferred model when the main focus is high user engagement with fewer steps to deal. Numerous clients prefer a simple UI so that multiple tasks can be carried out within fewer steps. You can opt for the optimization of images to minimize the loads for many visual elements.
4. Involve the users while testing
If you go as per the industry standard, the user input is the most valued testing methods. Designers are filled with options when it comes to testing methods but, the user input is the most preferable one. The main advantage is the rectification of glitches in the early stages of development saving a lot of costs and efforts.
5. Focus on the Markets
Whatever we do, the main aim is to market our brands and therefore marketing plays an integral part for all the businesses. The first principle of app marketing is understanding customers. You can create numerous use cases stating what your target audience actual desires from the app.
The main attraction of your app is the capability to provide users with a personalized experience. Therefore achieving this target shows that hiring a mobile app developer paid you off as he took care of all the things as a demographic.
Mobile app developers may use a heuristic method for evaluation. This method with usability testing helps to create UI which catches the attention of the users easily. So focusing on app's interactiveness will never make you regret and help in providing the best user experience.
6. Single screen with Single Task
Due to the limited space in smartphones, designing is often a matter of panic. Various factors like readability, visibility, and interactiveness stress you which later becomes the reason for the death of your design.
I would advise making a single screen for a single task which would provide real value to the person. This type of design doesn't seek complete attention on a single CTA, in turn, simplifying the entire process. Another advantage of adopting this tact is it will pave the way for the designers to add or build as per the requirements.
7. Focus on the Basics
With so many data and insights around, it is definite that you may lose your focus. Therefore, I have given a few basics that you need to stick throughout the process of designing:
1. Navigation and Placement
With suitable signifiers and elements, navigation should be obvious. Make navigation appear at the same place without hiding them on another screen or without moving them.
2. Feedback
Imagine you aren't aware of the office holiday today and you came to know only after you have reached to your workplace. I am sure this wasn't a pleasing surprise. Similarly, users should be aware of every step during the mobile app development process. It is important to tell them whether the current action has resulted in a failure or success of the process. You can carry out small interactions to keep your communication engaging and informed at the same time.
3. Animation during overboard is a bad idea.
Often animation is used as an engagement factor. But with engagement, it offers delay in loading as well. If you think to use animation, then see to it that it is precise, quick, and eye-catching. Every second of the user is important and we can afford to waste it.
8. The Thumb Rule
The thumb rule is simple. People should be able to perform the task with a single hand in less than 60 seconds. As per research, more than 75% of the interactions are driven by the thumb. Carefully observe the flow of the thumb zone.
The placement of all the negative elements will be out of the reach of the users. Consider placing the frequently used controls and common actions in the easily reachable zone.
Consider the size of the buttons and spaces as well. The reason is your thumb is not like a cursor. Therefore there should be enough space within our reach.
9. Favorable App Navigation
One of the most crucial factors for mobile app design is App Navigation. App navigation should be aimed to achieve qualities like friendliness and intuitiveness. It is desirable to name the buttons with relevant attributes. It is a request to avoid writing technical jargons that would be difficult to read for the users. Avoid overlapping the menu categories. They should have a simple exit from the application. The new features should be highlighted properly. Follow the entire pattern until the end.
10. Clutter-free UI
The most ideal practice is keeping a clutter-free UI design. A good mobile design is equal to be being clear. Imagine a design loaded with buttons, images, text. It will increase the complications of the user. Therefore, keeping it simple and minimal is required.
Conclusion
All I can say is try to create a design which would result in seamless user experience without the user searching options and later opting to abandon the app in the mid-way. Focus on simplicity. Research the market and the target audience before planning to design for a particular app.
Additionally, businesses can hire a competent mobile app design company, researched and listed by GoodFirms, for UX/UI design of their mobile app project.
