Uncover the Magic of Designing Applications That Captivate and Engage! In the dynamic world of technology, where mobile and web applications are an integral part of our lives, real value lies not only in beauty but also in functionality and ease of use. Wondering how to create applications that not only attract attention but are also reliable and user-friendly? This article is just for you!
Learn 9 expert tips from Aleksandra, our Quality Assurance Specialist in mobitouch from mobitouch that will help you transition from an idea to an application that wows everyone. Immerse yourself in the art of creating applications that become not only tools but true experiences for users.
1. Discover and understand the needs of future users
Designing an application without a thorough understanding of users is like building a house without a foundation. Before starting to design an application, it is important to conduct research on its potential users. Understanding their needs, preferences, and problems will enable the creation of an application that meets their real needs and requirements. Skipping this step may result in building an application that is completely useless.
2. Make the interface simple
Less is more, especially when it comes to application interfaces. Users prefer applications that are free of unnecessary features. When designing an application, make sure its interface is simple, intuitive, and easy to navigate. Avoid elements that may confuse users. Use clear and readable messages. The application should be intuitive, even for people using it for the first time.
3. Make sure the app is fast and responsive
Your application will be used on various devices, so you need to make sure it’s responsive. At mobitouch, we optimize user interfaces, adapting them to different screen sizes, which allows for a smooth and efficient use of the application on desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Our approach is based on best practices in responsive design to provide users with a consistent and enjoyable experience. In addition to responsiveness, the performance of the application is equally important. Long loading times can discourage users. Remember to optimize graphics, minimize the number of server requests to achieve the best performance. The application should work smoothly and quickly, without delays.
4. Allow users to customize their preferences
Users like applications that allow them to customize the interface to their individual preferences, such as dark mode. This can improve the comfort of use and increase satisfaction and attachment to the application.
5. Let users know what’s happening in the app
Application messages should be clear and understandable. Avoid complicated language and long content in messages. Make sure that all error messages are precise and indicate what to do to solve the problem. Incomprehensible messages can frustrate users, and reduce their satisfaction.
Additionally, the color scheme and appearance of the messages should be consistent throughout the application. Communication with users includes not only error or success messages after actions but also various types of notifications, such as when a process is in progress, i.e., loaders, progress bars, etc. Their presence keeps the user informed about the current status of their request
6. Test the application in beta version
Before publishing your application in the App Store and Google Play, it’s worth testing it on selected users. With TestFlight (iOS) and conducting internal, open, or closed tests (Android), you can gather valuable feedback about your application before its official release. Test opinions do not affect the public rating of the application.
TestFlight allows developers to invite selected iPhone users to the testing phase . Invited users receive an invitation to their email address and can then download the TestFlight application from the App Store. The target application will be available for download and installation there. New versions of the application will also be available in TestFlight if they are released. From a developer’s perspective, TestFlight is managed through App Store Connect.
For applications intended to be published on the Android system, the process is even simpler, as invited individuals simply receive an email with a link to download and test the application.
Considering creating an application but feeling lost? Don’t worry – we’ll help you step by step to realize your project. Write to us.
Let’s talk7. Check color contrast and text readability
WCAG, or Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, aim at providing access to applications for all users, including those with disabilities. It is important to choose the appropriate color contrast between text and background. To choose the right colors for your application, you can use this online tool: https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/. Thanks to it, you can quickly and easily determine whether the selected colors meet the required standards. You should also pay attention to the appropriate font size and line spacing. The font size should be large enough (minimum 9 px) to be readable on screens of various sizes without the need to zoom in. This is not only an aesthetic issue but also a concern for the comfort of reading for users.
8. Use alternative descriptions for multimedia elements
Alternative descriptions for multimedia elements, such as images or graphics, are an important step in enabling users who use screen readers to fully understand the content. This is especially important for blind or visually impaired people.
9. Provide keyboard navigation
Providing the ability to navigate in the application using the keyboard increases accessibility for people with mobility impairments and makes the application more universal and flexible. Users can then use the application on various devices, regardless of whether they use a mouse, touchscreen, or keyboard.
Accessibility is a dynamic area that requires continuous monitoring and updating. Supportive technologies may change, and new accessibility guidelines may be introduced. It’s important for the application to be flexible and ready to adapt to new requirements.
Evaluate the usability of your application with our checklist
When assessing the usability of an application, it’s worth preparing a checklist tailored to our project. You can use our usability checklist and analyze your project according to the guidelines from mobitouch.
Summary
Designing an application with usability in mind is a key element of creating a product that meets users’ expectations and needs. Interface simplicity, responsiveness, personalization, clarity of messages, user testing, and application accessibility are crucial elements that should be considered during the design phase. Remember, a satisfied user is the key to the success of any application.
