UX/UI Design in Mobile Application Development

Once downloaded, never used

Every day, approximately a thousand new apps are added to the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store. Unfortunately, over 75% of these apps are downloaded, used once, and then forgotten forever. 

The primary reason? Poor usability and UX/UX design. Today we'll find out the main factors to consider when designing your app. If you follow all of them, you'll get better chances to stand out in the market.

Limitations of mobile apps

• Limited Screen Space
  Mobile devices have small screens, making it challenging to display content. Designers need to prioritize content carefully to ensure optimal visibility.
• Interruptibility
  Since mobile devices are portable and frequently used on the go, users are more likely to face interruptions. To address this, designers should create interfaces that save progress and allow smooth task resumption.
• Touch Typing Difficulties
  Typing on small virtual keyboards can be error-prone. Consider alternative input methods and implement larger touch targets to make typing more accurate and user-friendly.

Tips for quality UI/UX design

• Prioritize users' goals

Mobile app and website goals differ from desktop sites. For instance, on a restaurant app, users want quick tasks like viewing the menu, making reservations, or getting directions. 

To improve UX, consider users' actual intentions. Requiring login for basic tasks is often overlooked. Making essential features easily accessible enhances the experience.

Our designers say it is the most crucial tip. If you want to get ui ux design services following all the tips, visit our UX/UI design page.

• Create targets that are easy to tap

When designing interfaces for mobile devices, ensure that the touch targets are large enough for users to easily tap. Small targets can be challenging to hit accurately, so the controls should have a size of 7-10 mm.
Moreover, leave adequate spacing between tap targets to avoid unintended clicks. The user interface controls must be designed with the user's needs in mind, capturing their fingertip actions.

Source: Justinmind​

• Ensure that the text is clear and easy-to-read

The content is the heart of your app. Opt for a typeface that works well in various contexts to ensure readability, usability, and comfortable ux workflow across different sizes and weights.

1. To enhance legibility, maintain a font size of at least 11 points. This ensures that users can comfortably read the text without zooming in, even at a typical viewing distance.
2. Use adequate color contrast for the text. Insufficient contrast can cause the text to blend with the background, making it difficult to read. Aim for a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for both body text and text within images to ensure clarity and accessibility.

Source: idea theorem​

• Avoid copying user interface elements and fonts from other platforms

When developing your app for Android or iOS, it's crucial not to directly copy themed UI elements from other platforms or mimic their specific behaviors. Doing so can potentially compromise the ui/ux workflow, experience and hinder conversion rates.

Focus on giving your app's input fields, checkboxes, switches, and other functional components a native feel. Utilize native components whenever possible, as users are already familiar with them, and it fosters trust when handling sensitive data.

Apple, Microsoft, and Google provide design guidelines that assist both users and designers. Following these guidelines also ensures consistency across applications within the same operating system.

However, it's essential to be cautious when adhering to style guides blindly. Some elements may not work well in all contexts. 

1. For instance, page control dots used to indicate pages in mobile apps can be too subtle and fail to convey the availability of additional content. 
2. Similarly, placing form submit buttons at the top of a page in mobile apps might confuse users who naturally expect them at the bottom after filling out the form.

Source: designflyover

• Don't recreate the web experience in mobile applications

When creating mobile apps, it's crucial to consider how users expect to interact with them. What works well on the web may not work as well on mobile devices. 

For instance, underlined links are best avoided in mobile apps because they belong to browsers, not apps. Instead, buttons are commonly used in mobile apps. Users expect certain interaction patterns and interface elements in mobile apps. What we design on the web often feels awkward in a mobile app — not necessarily because something is wrong, but because it's simply different from what users expect to see.

Source: UX Collective​

• Don't take users to the browser

Keep users in-app at all times. If your app lacks a specific feature or content, try to use an in-app browser. Do not invoke the smartphone browser, or you will cause users to lose track and not return to the app, increasing abandonment and reducing conversion.

You may also like the Mobile App Development Process article.

• Navigate users well

Mobile navigation complements search in several ways:

1. Assists Uncertain Users
   Navigation helps users explore options and find relevant content without the need for specific search queries.
2. Reduces Mental Effort
   Navigation is easier than formulating search queries, especially on mobile with smaller screens and keyboards.
3. Overcomes Search Limitations
   Mobile site search may not always meet user expectations, making navigation a reliable alternative.

However, since screen space is limited, balance accessibility and discoverability of navigation and search without compromising content prioritization.

Different mobile navigation approaches include:

1. Top Navigation Bar
   Ideal for apps with a few navigation options but may use valuable space above the fold.
2. Tab Bar
   Persistent at the top or bottom of the screen, suitable for apps with few options.
3. Hamburger Menu
   Conceals options initially, requiring users to discover it before use.
4. Navigation Hub
   A dedicated page listing all options. It is great for task-based sites or apps.
   Choose the navigation approach based on your app's needs and user preferences. Prioritize a user-friendly and effective navigation system by understanding your target audience.

Source: Mind inventory​

• Notifications

To use mobile push notifications effectively and avoid alienating users, consider these tips:

1. Delay Notification Permission
   Instead of immediately asking for notification permission upon app launch, provide users with some value and let them experience the app first. 
2. Be Transparent
   Inform users about the type of information the notifications will contain, such as social media updates, news, or retail offers. 
3. Avoid Burst Notifications
   Refrain from overwhelming users with a burst of notifications in a short period. Combine relevant notifications into a single, meaningful message to maintain user satisfaction.
4. Send Relevant Content
   Ensure that notifications are relevant and informative, offering real value to users. Avoid sending notifications for minor events or unrelated content.
5. Easy Notification Management
   Allow users to manage their notification preferences easily within the app. Avoid hiding or making it difficult to disable notifications, as it can lead to a negative user experience and decrease trust in the app.
   

Source: UX collective​

Conclusion

Making mobile UX design more user-friendly and intuitive is crucial for keeping users engaged and satisfied. Designers need to put in the time, resources and thought to ensure that their mobile designs are up to par with users' expectations.

If you want to develop your app, CGS-team is ready to become your reliable partner and provide quality mobile app development.