Key Design Principles for Mobile Apps
Build Mobile Apps Users Will Love and Use Long-Term
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In my recent issues, I've focused on the technical aspects of building PWAs and hybrid mobile apps with Bubble. However, creating a mobile app won't benefit your builder journey if users don't engage with it. To ensure your app is loved and used in the long run, let's explore the most important design principles to keep in mind when crafting your mobile app.
Embrace Commonly Accepted Patterns: Users are familiar with interacting with popular apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, which share similar design patterns. To avoid confusion, stick to these established standards when designing your app.
First Impressions Count: An astonishing 75% of apps are uninstalled after their first use, emphasizing the importance of making a strong first impression. Invest in a captivating landing and sign-up page, and communicate your app's value early on during the onboarding process.
Keep It Simple: Focus on the user's goals and maintain simplicity in your app. Each screen should have a task or goal associated with it, and the app should be designed around these tasks. Minimize cognitive load by breaking tasks into easy steps and avoiding text inputs where possible.
Design for the Thumb Zone: Most users interact with their phones using one hand, so it's essential to make your app user-friendly and comfortable to use. Position main elements within the green "thumb zone" and ensure buttons and icons are large enough to avoid accidental clicks.
Opt for High Contrast: Guarantee your app is usable in various lighting conditions by utilizing high contrast colors, making it easier for users to read content even when outdoors.
More resources:
Great article incl. visual examples: https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2018/02/comprehensive-guide-to-mobile-app-design/
That's it. Keep it simple,
Damian