13 Best Practices for Mobile UX Design That You’re Not Doing

Did you know that a staggering number of 1,000 new apps are brought into existence every single day? However, the hunger for more is insatiable in the market. In fact, a mind-blowing 592 million apps were downloaded daily in 2020 alone. Surprisingly, the average American spends more time glued to their smartphone screen than watching television.

These statistics undeniably demonstrate the integration of apps into our daily lives. But here's the catch: most mobile apps fall short.

They're bewildering, redundant, irritating, and ultimately a colossal waste of time.

Little wonder that the majority of apps meet their demise within a mere seven days of being downloaded.

Will your app suffer the same grim fate?

Fear not! In this blog post, we will delve into the realm of top-notch mobile app development practices from a user experience (UX) perspective. These are the practices that elude most designers, but if you employ them, you'll achieve that elusive quality we call "app stickiness."

Are you ready to create the finest mobile UX design the world has ever seen? Then keep reading.

1. Be consistent in your mobile UX design

Consistency is the key to creating a user-friendly design. Once you introduce an element to your user, they begin to associate it with a specific action. The last thing you want to do is switch up those colors, calls to action, or controls, because it confuses the user. Choose specific jobs for each design element and keep them the same throughout your app.

You should also be consistent between your mobile experience and your website, if the user is meant to experience both.

2. Make it easy to use

If given the choice between impressive and easy, your user will always prefer easy. Don’t try to wow the user with fancy design. Instead, focus on creating an experience that’s easy to use.

3. Embrace Familiarity

Chances are, your users are already well-versed in using mobile apps. Instead of reinventing the wheel, leverage familiarity by incorporating design elements and experiences that your users are accustomed to. By providing a sense of continuity, your users will know what to expect, streamlining their interaction with your app.

4. Prioritize Predictability

Predictability is a cornerstone of effective mobile UX design. When users can anticipate the outcome of their actions, they feel more confident and comfortable using your app. Strive to create a user experience that is intuitive and seamless, enabling users to navigate your app with ease.

5. Simplify Cognitive Load

While true intuition may be elusive, you can make your app feel intuitive by reducing the cognitive load on your users. Minimize the mental effort required by ensuring your app makes logical sense and flows naturally. If users can effortlessly understand and navigate your app, it will feel intuitive to them.

6. Optimize TextSize

Given the limited screen real estate on mobile devices, it's crucial to prioritize readability. Make sure your text is large enough to be easily read by users. By increasing the font size, you enhance readability and make your app more accessible to a wider audience.

7. Streamline Form Completion

Avoid frustrating users with redundant form fields. If you repeatedly ask for the same information, consider storing and autocompleting it when needed. By minimizing the repetitive data entry, you reduce user friction and make the form-filling process more efficient.

8. Provide Immediate Validation

Don't wait until the end of a form to inform users of errors. Instead, validate field values in real-time, notifying users of any mistakes or omissions immediately. By offering instant feedback, you help users correct issues promptly, enhancing their overall experience.

9. Embrace Minimalism

Cognitive overload occurs when users are overwhelmed by excessive information or cluttered interfaces. Improve usability and reduce cognitive strain by adopting a minimalist approach. Remove any elements, including content, that do not deliver immediate value to the user.

10. Take It One Step at a Time

Rather than overwhelming users with multiple tasks at once, guide them through a step-by-step workflow. By breaking down complex actions into smaller, manageable steps, you facilitate user navigation and increase the likelihood of successful completion.

11. Tailor the Keyboard

Make sure that the keyboard matches the required input. For instance, if users need to input numbers, automatically switch to a numeric keyboard. By adapting the keyboard to the task at hand, you streamline data entry and enhance user convenience.

12. Provide In-App Guidance

Incorporate helpful tips and cues throughout your app, especially in areas that may be confusing for users. Anticipate potential obstacles and address them proactively. Analyze frequently asked questions and support tickets to identify trouble areas and offer targeted assistance.

13. Optimize for Touch Controls

Design your app's controls with the human thumb in mind. Since most users operate their devices with their thumbs, ensure that touch areas are large enough for comfortable interaction. Aim for controls with a minimum size of 10mm to improve accuracy and prevent misclicks.

Conclusion

Designing for mobile devices is no longer a choice, but a necessity. Implement the above tips to create a delightful user experience that transcends online platforms and seamlessly extends to mobile devices. By prioritizing user-centric design principles, you can cultivate a satisfying and engaging mobile app experience for your audience.