According to a survey by CleverTap, the number one reason why people uninstall apps is that they’re not using them. A survey by Statsia also shows that 24% of apps are only used once. Both findings reveal the importance of making sure apps are created tightly aligned to your customer’s needs and continue to evolve to suit their requirements. The long and short of it; if the look and feel of the app is poor or the user experience is poor, then the user will delete it.
What is UI/UX?
UI is an acronym for User Interface. It is the process of enhancing the interactivity of the presentation of a mobile app or a website. It focuses on the design and how the app looks, including various visual components, such as buttons, icons, and typography.
UX is an acronym for User Experience. This is the method of enhancing the level of interaction between a user and a software product. This is often achieved through mouse clicks, gestures, and navigation menus.
Importance of UI Conventions:
A good user interface
This gives the impression that the app is reputable and safe to use. Ask yourself… would you trust adding your data into an app that has inconsistent fonts, unclear information, or a poor layout?
To feel part of the iOS / Android operating system and ecosystem
Users should expect a premium and familiar ‘look-and-feel’, and therefore will compare your app to others. Knowing this, the app you create must align with this and meet the expectations of the user.
The UI needs to work well within the constraints of all devices
For example, a small screen means there is less room for content, such as text, so this must be considered when building content for the app. Are there any alternatives which could be used instead of text? One of my favourite analogies is – “A good UI is much like a joke. You should never have to explain it to the audience”
Consistent branding across all platforms
An app should act as an extension of a physical shop, or a website. The fonts, colour schemes and graphics/images should all be familiar to the user.
Importance of UX Conventions:
Intuitive and simple design
The app should be easy to use, and it should reduce the need for additional instructions. One way to make it intuitive is to use common and conventional design practices, for example, a tab bar or navigation menu. You can also improve the app by making use of additional gestures – swipes and long presses.
Using location services
You can harness the native features on mobiles to improve usability. Instead of relying on a user to input an address/postcode, you can use location services to reduce the time it takes for the user to input and validate their data.
Using NFC or QR codes
These codes direct users to a web page rather than typing in a URL into the web browser (just like ordering food from a table at a restaurant). This is quick and easy to use, plus saves costs with printing a menu or price list which can be easily shared online.
Integration with payment systems
The app can be integrated with Apple Pay or Google Pay which is much easier to tap one button on your device than putting in your card details. This integration provides much more security and peace-of-mind for users of the system.
Needs to adapt to all variations of the app
It’s important to remember where your app will be accessed, potentially not just as a mobile / tablet app, but it could also be used as a Windows/Mac app, using a cross-platform native technology such as MAUI or Xamarin.
Convenience is key
You want your audience to be able to use the app easily, taking minimal steps. This method has led to the success of many popular and successful mobile apps such as Deliveroo and Uber. These were innovations designed for convenience that allowed users to fulfil a need within the shortest timespan available to them.
Looking to explore more about mobile apps? Discover our guide to app development, plus, a blog helping you decide between Native or Cross-platform mobile app technology.
Could a mobile app benefit your business goals and appeal to your target audience? Get in contact today to discuss your app requirements.
