User experience is something which no one can ignore in today’s era. It can be defined as the way in which a user feels about using a website, an app, or any other product or service. Just a few years back, in the world of software development, the emphasis has been only a technological and operational aspects. Today, most designers and developers also look at a product from the UX perspective.
What is UX and What’s its Role in Software Development?
UX is a meaningful and creative activity based on research, behavior and psychology of the users. The term User Experience design has become extremely relevant and popular in the Information Age. User experience is majorly defined on the basis broader topics which include the user’s emotions, behavior, the appeal of a UI, and visual design.
In the world of technology, the task of UX is to bridge the gap between design and technology. Certain methods and techniques are applied to make it easier for users of the application or website to perform certain actions. In addition to helping the users achieve some common goals, the UX also helps fulfill particular objectives of the organization. While a large part of UX is dependent on design, it involves not only for designing aspects but also more important developmental aspects.
Important notes for a Good UX
There are seven fundamental characteristics of every good UX: Usable, Useful, Searchable, Credible, Desirable, Valuable and Accessible.
- UX makes design usable for the user by including design and development elements which simplify the task using the website or app.
- Such elements make it easier for the user to use the product and achieve the goal.
- It ensures easy access to the most important features. Accessibility options also make it possible for users with physical disabilities to access the features they want to.
- A good user experience creates a favourable impression of the product in the user’s mind. This increases the credibility of the company also.
- It also adds value to the life of the user by helping you save time and money.
- It is desirable for the users- the user gets exactly what he wants.
- It is searchable- the user gets all relevant information easily and quickly.
Important Rule of UX for Apps and Websites: User-Centric Designing
In the Process of UX, the needs of the user are important. It’s called User Center Designing (UCD). At each stage of UX process, a strong effort is made to understand needs, wants and limitations of users. It is a problem solving process in multiple stages. Not only does it require analysis of design, but also requires the analysis of user behaviour in real life. UCD is based on asking the following questions:
Who are the users?
Users are differentiated on the basis of Age, Gender, Professions, and Geographical area.
What are the user's goals?
User’s goals are determined. They could be professional, Entertainment, Education, Informatics, Emergence services, and Political,
What is the user’s level of understanding?
User’s computer literacy, uses of system, educational level, Frequency of uses, etc, are taken into account.
What are the accessibility options of users?
How a user can access the particular product or service options like smartphone, tablet, pad, desktop, laptop etc. are considered.
What information does the user require and in what form?
A system requires to be devised to provide accurate and relevant information to the user in his proposed formats.
What is the user’s situation?
The developer and designers must ensure that information is made available to the user on demand and accurately in any situation.
What interfaces does the user use?
The options are touching, gestures or spoken or all of them. By getting the right answers to these questions, it becomes possible to create the perfect user experience. This enables user to find information easily and accomplish tasks speedily. The UX must be carefully designed and developed, keeping mind the needs of the users and the organization. A bad user experience can drive away the users, while a good one can help business reduce operating and redevelopment costs. Hence, interface plays a major role in the success of the website or an app.