7 Guiding principles for designing a better user experience

Posted by Ben Tollady on March 02 2010  |  0 Comments

In conducting a number of web site usability reviews of late I’ve noticed a series of emergent issues that are common to all. These issues can be broadly grouped into the following list of 7 ‘principles’ that affect the user interface and information architecture of almost every interactive online product, whether it be it a simple web site or large complex application.

The following list can be regarded as a series of simple ‘rules-of-thumb’ to keep in mind when designing usable interfaces.

1. Consistency

   Ensure that there is consistency across the web site or application with regard to page layouts, the position of common elements within the page layout, labels, language, terminology, feature and input behaviour, style and positioning. Consistency is imperative in helping your users quickly learn how to interact with your website.
2. Follow established conventions

   
Users of websites and online applications are familiar with certain established conventions that have developed and been learnt over many years. In order to make interactions as intuitive as possible you should not deviate from these conventions.
3. Navigation


   All navigation elements should be clear and easy-to-use, with all major parts of the website accessible from the main navigation.
4. Language & labels

   
Language, titles and labels used across the website should generally avoid jargon or ambiguity and instead make use of simple, plain English. All sections and page elements should follow consistent naming conventions to avoid confusion.
5. Hierarchy, data flow & functionality

   All functionality should be clearly labelled and available within the page without the need for unnecessary plug-ins. The user interface, page layouts and navigational elements should clearly present content hierarchy and depict metaphorical concepts such as data flows and nested content.
6. Feedback

   
Users should be provided clear, constant feedback as they perform tasks throughout the website in order to be kept informed about what is happening and what effect their interaction will have.
7. Simplicity & visual clarity


   The user interface, content and functionality presented within each screen should be as minimal, clean and simple as possible in order to reduce visual ‘clutter’ that can detract a user from efficiently completing their primary task. Additional functionality should be made available to the user ‘on demand’ rather than offered by default.

These 7 issues are the ‘principles’ that I’ve identified through my recent work and experiences, but many others have also put together similar lists in the past. Here’s some suggested further reading on the subject:

Jakob Nielsen’s 10 usability heuristics
Volkside’s usability rules-of-thumb
Hiser’s usability heuristics
Theresa Neil’s real-world examples of the 10 usability heuristics

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