Currently, user experience on mobile devices is essential to make a visitor an active user. That is, not only the user decides to download and install the application, but after the first use decides to use the application again and again. This implies that the first user experience must be optimal, thus becoming an active user.
As you can imagine, much of this process is achieved through an intuitive and easy-to-use interface. Interface optimization is becoming a standard, more and more people are interested in this topic because it is a basic requirement in a successful application.
Due to the great competition that exists in the mobile application market, you must offer not only a great user interface but also offer a solution to a problem. You should study your competition, verify what functions they offer and which are liked by users, as well as understand the needs of your target audience. The success of your application depends not only on the interface but on the idea behind the application.
From the first use, you must show everything that your application has to offer and highlight the characteristics of it so that the user sees for himself how useful they are.
How to improve the first user experience in mobile applications?
A good starting point to improve this process is to interview the recurring users of your application. That is, those who have downloaded the application and use it often. Ideally, the first user experience in a mobile application highlights the best features of your application to convert eventual users into active users. You must be very clear about who your users are and what they need, that way you can offer them an application that is suitable for them.
Although there is no magic formula for a successful process because much depends on the type of application you create as well as your target audience, however, there are certain actions that could be effective to achieve it. We mention them below:
Interactive tutorials
The guides can be beneficial and even essential for the user to know how to access some of the application’s functions. However, although it may be considered necessary, the user may not want to see it and decide to explore the application on their own. This is a valid decision for the user, so you should not force him to review the tutorial to access the application. What you can do is remind him by notifications that the tutorial is available and you can see it whenever you want.
The essential thing about the tutorials is that they are quite interactive, the user should be shown the actions to be performed visually. Of course, using a supporting text is also valid, but much of the communication should be achieved visually.
You have to be quite careful when designing a tutorial because it must be clear and concise. Ideally, it should be able to complete in a few minutes.
Application use permission management
Asking the user for permission for the application to perform certain actions is usual in many applications. However, it must be done carefully and above all, at the right time. Usually, these notifications appear before we have taken action and interrupt the flow of use of the application. This interruption can cause a bad impression on the user and it can even be a nuisance for many users.
The application should only request permissions when it is necessary, for example when it requires certain device information to be able to continue or perform any specific action.
Keep Physical Restrictions in Mind
Mobile phones come in different shapes and sizes. Besides, you will have to take into account different operating systems, such as Android and iOS. When it comes to mobile UX design, you must present several design versions that fit the interface, navigation, and functionality of a device.
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For instance, an iPhone has a single, multi-purpose toggle option. While on Android it offers multiple buttons for interaction. They require different approaches when designing and planning.
It is important to keep in mind the different screen sizes. This simply means that it must fit multiple screen sizes, which makes reading and browsing easy and possible. Furthermore, now a days there are variety of devices available having different screen to body ratio. Your app must handle the notch well and also the famous hole.
If you already have a website, it may seem acceptable to take everything from there and turn it into an application. Effortless, cheap and practical, right? This is the worst idea you can have for your business. Since the only thing, you will get is to lose credibility, followers, and money. This brings us to our next principle: to become the audience.
Put Yourself in the Place of a User
One of the best practices is to see your work with the eyes of a user. I know it is inevitable to look at your work in a too positive light; however, it blinds you to the improvements and adjustments necessary to make.
If you want your project to shine with greater intensity, you must determine what you can do to make it. This may be possible by establishing your mind in the perspective of a potential visitor.
For example, your target audience is toy collectors. You must take into account their needs, motivators, preferences, and behavior. With these factors in mind, you can navigate through your project and possibly gain knowledge about what you do right or wrong.
At all times you should be able to answer these questions in affirmation:
- Does it perform the function originally as it was intended?
- Is it useful for the target audience?
- Will, it boosts the name and reputation of the brand?
If you are willing to get more information and accurate results, you can have a small group of tests. It would be ideal to gather people who can benefit from the application. They can give you useful comments and opinions.
Access without registration forms
The simplicity of the registration forms is an essential factor to be able to capture users. Many applications have forgotten the registration form and users only need to download the application to use it.
Consider deleting the registration form if it is not necessary for the use of your application. On the other hand, if you need the user to register to continue, then you can choose to offer the registration via Facebook or Twitter. This is one of the most popular options in applications because for the user it is a simple and fast process. Forgets to fill in fields such as names and surnames, username, telephone, etc. Just put your Facebook account, your password and go. In a matter of seconds, I am already registered. Not only is it a quick process, but it prevents the user from accumulating usernames and passwords for each application he uses on his mobile device.
Notifications and non-intrusive alerts
It is much more common for social media applications to submit notifications as they inform you every time someone has commented on a publication of yours. They are not, however, the only sort of apps with notifications. Many games also tell the customer when a fresh unique rank has been acquired for a different season or when they have already regained energy or lives.
Notifications are the way the user remembers our application. However, they should not be irritating and should offer clear usability for the users. That is, they should offer information that the user is interested in. For example, if the application sends an update reminder it should be sent at considerable time intervals, say every 3 or 5 days. A notification that could be considered intrusive is one that is sent every hour and offers you the same information. This type of notification could be a nuisance to the user, so you should be careful when deciding what type of notifications your application will offer.
Know Your Colors
Colors play a vital role in the design. Not only is it intended to bring life to the application or website, but it also determines the tone, mood, and message it conveys. If the business is related in the food industry, what do you think is the best color to use?
According to the psychology of color, red is the most powerful option that can increase your sales. Check out McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut and Coca-Cola. One thing they have in common is that they use red as the color of their brand.
There is only one reason why these brands chose the same strategy: it is effective. It is known that this color stimulates a person’s appetite and stimulates taste buds. When combined with other suitable colors, it can intensify the brand message. Research your color and what you can do in the design. Make sure you follow the path to achieve your goals.
Take Note of Gestures
You should keep in mind that buttons are not the only interaction. You must take into account the user experience they have in the gestures, this will help you know the best way to interact with them in the actions you want to carry out in your mobile application. Some of the most commonly used gestures include pinching, double-tapping, scrolling, and sliding.
For example: in the previous versions of the Instagram application, it was not possible to zoom in the images. This action is usually the result of a pinch, which is the common gesture to zoom in / out. Users felt limited in their actions, which means they were not getting the best mobile user experience. Fortunately, in their most recent updates, they addressed the problem.
It is also important to take note of the different gestures used on different platforms. A gesture that could work on an Android phone may not work on an iPhone.
You may want to add some animations every time a gesture is made. For example, pulling down has become a universal gesture to update an application. Make it exciting by adding something you can play with the eyes of your visitors while they wait. Some applications use the circular charge indicator, but you can always add your flavor. Keep it unique, simple and a little subtle.
Hands Interactions
If you don’t have your phone, pick it up now and open an application that you use regularly. Look at your fingers and where they usually land or interact.
Are they easy to reach and press? If not, does it cause tension in your fingers and/or wrists?
When designing an application, do not forget to consider the physical comfort of users in these things the user experience resides. If you notice that the button locations or content may cause the slightest discomfort, it would be better to redesign. Users tend to stop supporting the application when it is too difficult to navigate.
Another thing you should consider is to include the size of its buttons, content display area, text boxes and more. For this, you should keep in mind that people also have various screen sizes and several finger sizes.
Do not design the interface based solely on the size of your fingers and the size of your screen. The user experience carried out by some should not work for others. If you want to be sure, you can gather people with different characteristics to try it.
In conclusion…
The first user experience in mobile applications is essential to ensure that your visitors become active users and in this article, we have reviewed some of the interactions you should take into account to improve this user experience. However, this not all. The essential thing is to understand your target audience, understand their needs and know how to respond to them through the functions and characteristics of your application.
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