What Are the Top Mistakes Made in App Design?

Ever tried finding your way in a maze without a map? That's what using an app with poor navigation feels like for your users. When navigation is unclear or overly complex, it quickly leads to frustration. Think of it this way: your app’s navigation is the GPS for your users. If the GPS keeps giving wrong turns, it doesn't matter how fancy the car (or app) is – users will abandon the ride. 

We know the stress of investing time, money, and energy into an app only to see users struggling and leaving bad reviews. A business thrives on happy customers, and a solid navigation design is a critical step towards that. 

• Keep It Simple: Avoid stuffing too many features into the main menu. Stick to the essentials and make sure they’re easy to find. Too many options can overwhelm users, much like a diner menu that offers 300 different dishes.
• Clear Labels: Use straightforward labels for navigation options. While you might want to be creative, clarity is always more important. For example, "Shop" works better than "Emporium of Wonders." (even if the latter does sound enticing!)
• Consistent Patterns: Your users appreciate familiarity. If they've learned to navigate your app one way, keep that pattern consistent. Switching things up midway is like moving the goalposts during a game.

Regularly observe how users navigate through your app and be proactive in identifying any pain points they encounter. Making tweaks might seem trivial, but it can significantly enhance the user experience and keep your audience engaged and satisfied.

One crucial area where many businesses falter is onboarding. You might have a brilliant app, but if users don't know how to use it, they're likely to get frustrated and abandon ship. Think of onboarding as a welcome mat; it sets the tone and eases users into the app. Without clear instructions and a friendly intro, users might as well be trying to put together IKEA furniture without a manual (yes, it's that frustrating!!). 

Effective onboarding should be as simple as guiding a friend through a new experience. The key is to make users feel comfortable and confident. Offer interactive tutorials, clear signposts, and gentle nudges to get them up to speed. Don't overwhelm them with information all at once; instead, introduce features progressively. 

Simplicity and elegance also play a pivotal role in your design. Users appreciate clean, straightforward interfaces and quick solutions to their problems so make sure your onboarding screens reflect that ethos. A cluttered or overly complex onboarding process can make users feel like they need a degree just to get started—ain't nobody got time for that! 

Neglecting this crucial feature can lead to higher abandonment rates and, ultimately, lost revenue. In fact, poor onboarding is like hiring a new employee without training them; you're setting them up to fail. Get this part right, and you'll not only retain users but also convert them into loyal advocates for your app.

Speed isn't just a luxury; it's an expectation. In a world where people want everything yesterday, a sluggish app can be the kiss of death. Imagine your customers trying to use your app, only to be greeted with loading wheels and delays. Frustration mounts, and in a heartbeat, they've abandoned your app for a faster, more responsive competitor. That's a lost opportunity for your business. 

• Users expect apps to load within two seconds or less.
• 53% of users abandon a mobile site if it takes longer than three seconds to load.
• Fast-loading apps have higher engagement rates and better user retention.
• Regular updates and optimisations can significantly enhance app speed and performance.
• App speed can directly influence your app's ranking in app stores.

But it's not just about keeping users happy – it's also good for your bottom line. Slow performance can lead to higher abandonment rates, which translates to lost revenue. You don't want your app to be the source of digital traffic jams; it should be the fast lane. 

To ensure your app is speedy, focus on optimising your code, reducing the size of your assets like images and videos, and use caching wherever possible. Regularly test your app's performance under different conditions to identify and iron out any issues. Remember, a fast app is a successful app, and in the competitive app marketplace, every second counts.

Accessibility isn't just a buzzword; it's about making sure that everyone, including users with disabilities, can use your app without a hitch. Think about it—an app that's easy for everyone to use is bound to get more love and loyalty from its users. But, when accessibility is overlooked, it's not just a segment of users being excluded, you could face a PR nightmare, decreased user engagement, and yes, even legal problems. 

Now, let's break it down. Consider adding features like screen reader support for visually impaired users. Or implementing high contrast text to help those with visual difficulties. Ensure users can navigate your app using a keyboard, not just a touchscreen. 

Here's the thing: not designing for accessibility is like setting yourself up to disappoint a whole group of potential users right from the start. And let's face it, no one wants bad reviews or lost revenue. So, take the extra time to make your app inclusive. In the end, a little effort in the design phase can lead to big rewards in user satisfaction and loyalty. And isn't that what we're all aiming for?

Skipping or skimping on testing is like driving a new car off the lot and hoping the brakes work perfectly. Sure, it might save a little time upfront, but the potential risks could steer your business into dangerous territory. Bugs, glitches, and crashes will make users run for the hills faster than you can say "app update". And trust us, disgruntled users will tarnish your app’s reputation before you can even fix that critical bug. 

Why does this happen? Simple. Sometimes businesses feel the pressure to hit the market quickly, fearing competitors might get a jump on them. But launching without thorough testing is like playing Russian roulette with your brand’s credibility. Users today expect slick, seamless experiences. A buggy app isn't just an inconvenience; it’s a sign your business didn’t put in the effort to meet user expectations. 

Therefore, testing should always be a high priority. It’s important to involve real users in the testing phase. They’ll interact with your app in ways you may not anticipate, uncovering issues that might escape a developer’s or designer’s eye. Catching these problems early, before your app goes live, can save you from headaches down the road and even protect you from more significant financial losses. 

Let’s be honest: no app is flawless. Even the most popular apps roll out bug fixes. But the less you leave to chance, the more reliable and appealing your app will be. So, be rigorous. Test thoroughly. Take user feedback seriously, and continuously iterate based on it. In the world of app design, not testing is not an option—it’s a recipe for failure.

Getting app design right is not just about aesthetic appeal; it's about creating a seamless, enjoyable, and inclusive experience for your users. Each mistake we’ve discussed can significantly impact user engagement and retention, two key elements for the success of any application. As a business, avoiding these pitfalls means you're not just saving on costly redesigns and negative reviews, you're also setting your app up for sustained success. 

Remember, your app is often the first point of contact between you and your customers. It’s vital to make a great first impression, but also to keep users coming back. By focusing on effective UX, adhering to platform standards, simplifying interfaces, designing intuitive navigation, perfecting onboarding processes, ensuring robust performance, including accessibility, and testing thoroughly, you’ll be on the right path. 

At Glance we've helped with many businesses through the maze of app design, and we know it’s a process with many moving parts. But don’t worry, you’re not in this alone. Whether you're about to start from scratch or looking to refine an existing app, we're here to help you every step of the way. Let's create something amazing together!

If you have questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your app’s success is our mission.