Small Changes, Big Impact

Sometimes, the smallest changes can lead to the most significant improvements. UX principles are a key tool in a product manager's arsenal. Just as travellers rely on clear and intuitive maps to reach their destination without getting lost, users depend on thoughtfully designed interfaces to navigate applications efficiently and comfortably. When the design aligns with users' expectations and behaviours, the journey becomes smooth and enjoyable.

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Recently, my team and I worked on an analytics platform and faced a small but interesting challenge. We designed a back button to let users return to the previous state of a report after drilling down or changing filters. We placed this button on the top right of the page, expecting it to be useful. However, only about 3% of users clicked on it. Most preferred the browser's back button.

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Our UIX designers observed users and noticed they naturally looked for the back button in the top left corner, similar to their browser habits. This behaviour highlighted a key UX principle: users rely on familiar patterns.

Users experienced cognitive dissonance when they couldn't find the back button where they expected it. Cognitive dissonance occurs when there's a conflict between expected and actual experiences, causing discomfort. In this case, the top-right placement of our back button conflicted with the users' habitual expectations, creating friction.

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Applying Jakob Nielsen's design heuristics, particularly the principle of "consistency and standards," we moved our back button to the top left corner to match users' expectations. The result was dramatic: usage jumped from 3% to over 70%. Users found it exactly where they expected, showing how a small change can significantly improve user experience. This increased usage of the back button led to a richer user experience, as users were now able to navigate the application as intended, effortlessly returning to previous states and fully leveraging the platform's features.

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This experience underscores the importance of understanding user behaviour and addressing cognitive dissonance in all areas of product design. Whether you're designing a new feature, revamping an interface, or creating an entirely new product, considering UX principles and user habits is crucial. By observing users and making adjustments that align with their natural tendencies, you can enhance the overall usability and satisfaction of your product.

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Take a closer look at how users interact with your products. Observe their behaviour, gather feedback, and don't hesitate to make small design adjustments. These minor changes, informed by UX principles and user habits, can lead to significant improvements in usability and user satisfaction. Start today by conducting user observations or usability tests to identify areas where you can make impactful tweaks. Remember, even small changes can make a big difference.

I'd love to hear your stories about how small changes made a big difference in your projects – share your experiences in the comments!