Ways to Improve Your UX NowEasy-to-follow tips for a better user experience

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UXAn effective UX strategy requires advanced planning – but what if you can't spare the time or are handed an existing design?

We've highlighted 10 easy-to-follow principles you can immediately apply to improve the user experience design of any digital product.

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10ALWAYS OFFER

A WAY OUT

Never leave users wondering where they should go next, especially when they’ve gone down an unwanted path. Suggest a way out or an alternative route.

EXAMPLEAdd “you may also like” links at the bottom of ecommerce pages.

9PROVIDE GOOD

WAYFINDING

Being confident that you’re headed in the right direction is often more important than getting to your destination faster. You don’t have to bring every option to the forefront, as long as the path is clearly marked. EXAMPLE

Use descriptive and clear terminology in Navigation menus so users know where to go without hesitating.

Photo by Flickr user Daoro

8MAKE IT A DIALOG

For every action or effort you are requesting of users, give something back. If users must input something, show them why and how it will be used.

EXAMPLE

When asking for a phone number, say why and when you might use it (“We’ll contact you if something is wrong with your order”).

Photo by Flickr user afborchert

7GROUP ITEMS

LOGICALLY

Look at the relationship between elements on your page and group them by topic, function and source. Think of the context in which users will need to retrieve or use the information.EXAMPLE

When scheduling an appointment, offer users combinations of location and time. This allows users to make the optimal choice.

Photo by Flickr user Nina Matthews Photography

6MAKE THE LOOK

MATCH THE FUNCTION

Give affordance to your actionable items and differentiate them from non-actionable items. Prevent errors by clearly identifying and prioritizing calls to action. EXAMPLE

If you use chevrons to signify a swipe, make sure they always function that way.

5BE CONSISTENT

We’re creatures of habit. Make sure similar actions lead to similar steps, and keep your layout consistent. Keep the same voice, look and feel throughout.

EXAMPLE

Keep your primary call to action and “cancel” option in the same place on every page.

Photo by Flickr user Skley

4LIMIT AND

CLARIFY CHOICES

When it comes to choices, more is not always better. If users must make a decision, expose all options clearly without using jargon.

EXAMPLE

Illustrate a complex, abstract choice with a concrete example that can be used to compare options.

Photo by Flickr user VicBurton

Photo by Flickr user Pasukura76

3DO THE HEAVY LIFTING

Let the users be the lazy ones. Optimize your interface for the most common case. Be smart about default states. It’s better to offer something that has a high probability of being what users want, rather than making people work.

EXAMPLE

Use auto-completion rather than long dropdowns. Don’t allow users to enter erroneous inputs.

2START SMALL, GO BIG, THEN GO SMALL AGAIN

Start with a blank page, add what is needed, then, when done, simplify again. Use dynamic technologies to reveal content only as it’s needed. A light page is more appealing than a dense one.EXAMPLE

Reveal instructions for password entry only when the user is focused on the password entry field.

1DELIGHT THEM

Photo by Flickr user Lori L. Stalteri

Don’t underestimate the power of surprise. A nice turn of phrase, an unexpected beautiful screen or a note of gratitude can go a long way.

EXAMPLE

Show enthusiasm for a customer’s choice with a congratulatory message. ModCloth responds to users who like their items with, “You have great taste”.

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10 Ways to Improve Your UX Now

THANK YOU

SOPHIE HENRYDirector of User Experience

sophie@comradeagency.com

510.277.3400 x 707

www.comradeagency.com