Hot Features to Consider when Designing User-Friendly Mobile Apps
October 1, 2018
Today, there is a mobile app for everything and several websites have their own apps. No wonder, mobile apps designing has become a lucrative profession for web-developers. If a business wants to build an efficient app, then having a great idea may not be enough. The app needs to have vital features embedded for greater usability to consumers.
- Cognitive Load Reduction
Cognitive load is the brainpower, essential for navigating an app. If an app displays a large amount of data at once, then users may have trouble processing them. Hence, it is prudent to keep the supply of data equivalent to the overall processing speed of human brain.
Tasks in Smaller Chunks
There may be numerous steps/actions necessary to complete one process when using a mobile app. It may be prudent to divide these tasks into subtask. It enables a developer to make a friendlier app for all users, as they have no difficulty executing a task. It is crucial for the developers to use logicality when connecting multiple steps to complete a task. A developer may also use the division of tasks to connect two different operations together.
Relatable User-Interface
Users have become familiar with types of screens due to their lucid structures. Screens featuring messages, such as “Search results” or “Getting Started”, do not require further explanations. Every user may be familiar with these screens due to their popularity. The familiar screens eliminate any need for learning curve when an individual uses an app for the first time.
Brief User Input
It may not be easier for every user to type on a mobile screen due to the screen’s small size. An app developer can include some smart and user-friendly features to resolve this issue.
- The developer can include the most essential items to make the form as simple as possible.
- A developer may use the ‘field-masking’ technique to automatically format any text.
- A developer may include smart features into the app, such as an auto-complete tool.
- It is prudent to verify the field-values dynamically in order to save the users from time-consuming corrections.
- A developer can make an app display the appropriate keyboard, such as numeric or alphabetic, depending upon the subjects of the page or the requirements of a user.
- First time Experience
First-time experience of a user determines the app’s popularity. Hence, it is a crucial factor to consider.
Avoid Unnecessary Sign-in Process
The mobile apps that include sign-in walls may receive less applause from the users. The users may not want to sign into an app if it does not clarify the benefits or if it has poor brand recognition. It is prudent to ask a user to register when it is necessary or when it offers something exclusive.
Avoid Queries about Set-Up Information
Developing an app that works across the systems is essential, as users do not like to answer questions regarding a system’s features. They may not even be aware of it. Hence, they may abandon an app that enquires about set-up information. It is thus wise to develop apps that can enquire system instead of the users.
Avoid Seeking Unnecessary Permissions
A dialog box that requests permission immediately after launching an app may become a mood-killer for many users. A developer may let this dialog-box appear when it is crucial for the app’s main operations. It is vital for an app to request a user’s permission when it has some relevance to the task.
- Quick and Responsive Apps
Today, around 47% Internet users expect a web-page to load within two to three seconds. The probability of bounce is 90% if a page takes more than three seconds to load. A developer may increase the loading speed of mobile apps in three simple steps.
Screens’ Visible Area Comes First
It is prudent to load the most important features of an app when the first page opens to engage a user’s interest. The additional content may continue to load in the background and may appear upon scrolling.
Updates about Loading
A blank screen may confuse a user when an app opens. Hence, it is wise to inform the users about the loading procedure. A developer may use a loading spinner to inform that the screen is not frozen.
Using Skeleton Screens
Skeleton screens or temporary information containers gradually load information into a page’s blank version. It focuses on the real progress and gives the impression that an app is highly responsive.