User sentiment directly relates to initial experiences with a UI. Developers need to account for the entire user journey through a Mobile UI to be truly successful.
A Changing Development Environment
In recent years it has become clear that software development is transitioning to a mobile first standard. It’s no longer enough for developers to merely meet the needs of smartphone users. They must adjust their processes to make for more vibrant user experiences. “Even UI experts from Adobe say When it comes to product design, it’s vital to consider all pages/screens a part of the user journey.” Desktop developers have taken content rich environments for granted. The need for minimalism in smartphone friendly UIs illustrates this best. As will become clear, the development environment is undergoing a radical shift.
The Impact Of A Complete UI Design Approach
Mobile first development will not be entirely centered around smartphones. Everything from tablets, to the promises of VR/AR and wearables means that developers must establish dynamic approaches for Mobile UI. To achieve a well-balanced approach, several factors need to be kept in mind. This includes the following:
- screen size
- prioritization
- first impressions
- site structure and dynamics
- content
- connectivity
- meeting expectations
- app updates
The Critical Nature Of First Impressions, Screen Size, And Prioritization
The first item on the list, screen size, is obvious. The emphasis here is that content should be considered a premium from the planning stages. Other factors on the list also relate to this.
First impressions and site structure are key. Mobile users move through sites much faster than PC users. Their attention is substantially impacted by slow loading applications. This is why it's best to use splash pages that will load in just a few seconds to reassure users that development was well thought out. Both splash pages and notifications such as ‘item not found’ or ‘no search results’ need to have an action on the page. Latent and/or unappealing pages should be avoided even if meant as a placeholder.
The Value Of Content And Its Delivery
“Content is King” because it will be the ultimate determinant of how valuable a website or application is to the user. How that content is delivered should be considered an art form. An interface should consider more than initial experiences. This is where site structure and features can be leveraged the most. Luring users to remain engaged should be complimented by thoughtful content placement. Of course, good content must be available.
Updates, Need Fulfillment And Connectivity
Once all factors have been met, there still remain two important issues to address. The first is connectivity. Users need to be able to interact within their network on any site that's going to draw a substantial amount of their time. Similarly, the linking of accounts helps users manage their needs throughout the day. The best sites offer the best connectivity.
The other thing to remain aware of is that users have certain expectations that attract them to new applications. This needs to be addressed at some point. It’s also important to reassure users of this during their journey and onboarding. Keep in mind that application updates can be a decisive factor as well. The best UIs are born from a comprehensive development process.
Conclusion
Many factors will contribute to the positive experiences of the user journey. It’s critical to identify weak points in a UI and correct them.
