Product Management Series 005: Simple Guide to User Experience Laws for Web and Mobile Apps
Sanjeev Dutt Pandey (PMP) ENTJ-A ?
Building the Right Product And Building the Product Right
When designing web and mobile applications, understanding some basic rules can help you create a better experience for your users. These rules, known as?laws of user experience (UX), are like guidelines that can make your app easier to use and more enjoyable. Let’s break down these laws in simple terms.
1.?Jakob’s Law: Keep It Familiar
What It Means: Users prefer websites and apps that look and work like others they already know.
Why It Matters: If your design follows familiar patterns, users will find it easier to navigate. For example, if people expect to see a shopping cart icon in the top right corner, placing it there helps them feel at home.
2.?Fitts’s Law: Make Important Things Easy to Reach
What It Means: The easier something is to click or tap, the quicker users can do it.
Why It Matters: Make buttons big enough and place them where users can easily reach them. For example, a “Buy Now” button should be large and prominently positioned.
3.?Hick’s Law: Simplify Choices
What It Means: The more options you give users, the longer it takes them to decide.
Why It Matters: Limit choices to help users make decisions faster. Instead of showing many products at once, consider filtering options based on categories.
4.?Tesler’s Law: Manage Complexity
What It Means: Some complexity is unavoidable in any system.
Why It Matters: Your job is to make that complexity less burdensome for users. Use tutorials or guides to help users understand how to use your app without feeling overwhelmed.
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5.?Postel’s Law: Be Flexible
What It Means: Accept what users give you and don’t ask for too much information.
Why It Matters: If a user types “NY” instead of “New York,” accept it! Also, only ask for essential information during sign-up to avoid frustrating users.
6.?The Law of Proximity: Group Related Items
What It Means: Items that are close together are seen as related.
Why It Matters: Organize related buttons or information together so users can easily understand their connections, like putting all payment options in one section during checkout.
7.?The Law of Feedback: Communicate with Users
What It Means: Users need to know what’s happening after they take action (like clicking a button).
Why It Matters: Provide clear feedback—like a loading spinner or a confirmation message—so users know their action was successful.
8.?The Law of Emotional Design: Connect with Users
What It Means: Design should consider how users feel while interacting with your app.
Why It Matters: Use colors, images, and language that evoke positive emotions to make the experience enjoyable and memorable.
Summary
By following these simple laws of user experience, you can create web and mobile applications that are not only functional but also enjoyable for your users. Keeping things familiar, simplifying choices, managing complexity, being flexible with user input, grouping related items, providing feedback, and connecting emotionally will lead to a better overall experience that keeps users coming back!
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