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Posted in Design

UI UX mistakes

Design can build or break your business in the iOS mobile app market. And that’s natural; it is one of the key factors to guarantee an enjoyable experience for your customers. With the skyrocketing popularity of mobile apps, users have become immensely demanding towards the software programs which are their best companions, always at hand. To find your place in the market, you must constantly keep track of the latest trends in iOS mobile app design and be aware of the most common mistakes of other developers. Not to disappoint your users and ensure long-term success for your business, consider the list of top 7 mistakes you should avoid when getting down to mobile app design.

1. Disregarding the size and use cases of smartphones

You are designing the app on your PC, where you have plenty of space for every single icon. However, if you do not consider the size of iOS mobile devices, you will eventually face the fact that your app has no room to breathe on smartphones. Before starting the actual process of designing, choose the content size and amount to be included in the app. Obviously, none of the application pages should be overstuffed with information and icons. Never hesitate to try it on a phone, to see how it works in real situations. Another scenario is transporting an app, previously designed for iPad or iMac, to smartphones. You cannot expect it to be experienced by iPhone users flawlessly, without having considered the essential difference of screen sizes. Remember, smartphones should be treated uniquely because their use cases and customer demands vary dramatically from those of tablets and PCs.

2. Underestimating first impressions

In a recent report, Social Times has stated that 48% of users abandon apps because of unsatisfied user interface and experience. Nearly half of the users! You don’t want to be in this group, do you? So, the first impression matters. It hooks your users and keeps them engaged with the app. The more attractive is your customer’s first visit, the more are the chances that they will return. Do not overwhelm your visitors with information and a long registration process; let them love your app at first glance, and you will find them more willing to accomplish all your other requests.

3. Not knowing the target audience

Who is your target audience? If your answer to this question is everyone, then most probably you will fail to satisfy the needs of a diverse group of people. Apparently, professional designers will come up with different solutions for youngsters and adults, businessmen and students, doctors and sportsmen. Each group, depending on its interests, lifestyle, and demands, has its preferences which are usually ignored, thus resulting in user dissatisfaction and lack of engagement.

If you create an iOS mobile app to make a business, you should carefully sharpen your focus to the group of people you need to reach. If you create the app to serve your business, then you already have your customers and can get to the next step quite quickly: estimate the demands of your audience and the latest designing trends in order to create a valuable and successful app.

4. Hoping that users will wait for the app to load

Time is money. No one will wait for your app to load for ages. Design plays a significant role in how fast the apps function; if graphics and animations make the application too ‘heavy’, then you need to rethink them. Social Times reports another interesting fact in the same research: users immediately uninstall apps because of hangs and crashes. So, make revisions even if animation to welcome your visitors is a great one but affects the speed greatly. Remember, you have only 5-10 seconds to persuade your users that they have found the right iOS app among millions!

5. Disregarding the actual size of hit area

While designing the app, keep in mind that the average size of user’s index finger is 1.6 to 2 cm wide. In addition, mobile apps are most often used on the go. Do not expect people to tap on tiny areas without any frustration; it takes too short to realize that the reason they fail to land on the desired page is because creators have not thought about the "small" aspect of hit area. Users need speed and efficiency when it comes to apps, so itty-bitty icons should be avoided or redesigned.

6. Ignoring the peculiarities of operating systems (OS)

Design, being a crucial path to user engagement and satisfaction, is often capricious. It loves to be treated specially in order to deliver the most enjoyable experience. Copying your app from one operating system to another might be tempting, but it is far from being the best solution. If you want to localize an app that you have been using on another OS, consult professionals to single out key aspects for editing and revision.

7. Piling up the app with content

Handling the issue of content quantity in apps is a tough task. On one hand, you want to share information on every single function and feature you find important. On the other hand, users are lazy to read long texts, especially in apps, because they need short, simple actions to accomplish on their smartphones. Clarify your app's task and find its focus; it will help to create targeted content. Keep the texts as succinct as possible. Before getting down to designing, brainstorm to find out the content your mobile app cannot operate without. Leave the rest of it to PC and tablet versions where you have more space to play with.

If mobile application design is not up to the mark, the chance for your app to succeed drops enormously. The prior research will arm you with essential knowledge not to make iOS app design mistakes that others have already suffered from. Mind the peculiarities of iPhones and consider the space you have at your disposal. Try to impress and engage your visitors right from the first sight and do not keep them waiting. Brainstorm with different people in your team to come up with the best solution for the quantity of the content. Informed and professional decisions on app design will prevent painful failures and create your path to people’s smartphones.