Only a handful of apps have ever surpassed one billion downloads. While the mobile app you’re designing probably won’t be that popular, you’ll still want to take a page from the books of the most-downloaded apps.
What makes an app popular? There are quite a few different factors, but one key aspect is a good mobile app design. Good design keeps people coming back to your app over and over again. The easier it is to use and the more friendly the design, the more likely they are to tell others about it.
You might have already guessed design would play an important role in your app. Now you’re asking how to design a mobile app.
Our guide will walk you through nine of the top tips for the best-designed app.
1. Keep Mobile App Design Simple
This rule of thumb is a fundamental principle in many technological fields, not just designing a mobile app. Keeping it simple is the best way to ensure your app is friendly and inviting for users.
How can you keep an app simple? The first step is to make sure it has a clear purpose. Define what the app does and then make it do that task well.
Next, you’ll want to make sure the interface is simple, too. Users should be able to find their way around the app quickly and easily.
2. Remember the Rule of Thumb
Speaking of rules of thumb, you’ll want to keep this one under your hat when you design a mobile app. Most users interact with their smartphones via their thumbs. The majority of people use just one thumb.
You’ll want to keep this in mind as you design your app. Think about the placement of different elements on the screen. How easy is it for users to reach them if they’re only using their thumb?
Different devices have different zones for usability as well. A good test for app design is to check how many tasks you can complete with one thumb in a minute.
3. Incorporate Core Design Principles
There are some principles that are core to UI and good design in general. One of them is incorporating white space into your design.
Consistency is another important aspect of design to remember. Proper contrasts can draw the user’s attention to important information or buttons.
You should also focus on using legible text. When it comes to text on mobile devices, less is more.
4. Personalize the Experience
Personalization is an important trend in many different areas right now, including technology. In fact, it might be more important in the tech arena. Personalization can enhance the app experience for each individual user.
You might think of customization as choosing your color scheme, but it helps users who need larger text or other aids.
A personalized experience also helps meet user needs and desires. The more your app delivers, the more people will use it.
5. Create a Prototype
Before you begin, you should at least start with some sketches of what you want your app to look like.
You can create your prototype on paper or with an app. It allows you to work through logistical aspects of your app. Navigation should be laid down with a flow map.
6. Pay Attention to Trends
User demands keep shifting, and trends in app design tend to follow. Trends also reflect shifting best practices around design in the industry.
If you’re not sure about current trends, take a look at recent popular apps. Many of them will showcase the latest in mobile app design. You can also turn to resources like App Builder to stay on top of best practices.
7. Test it Again and Again
You’re never going to get the app perfect right off the bat, so don’t leave testing out of your app design plans. What looks great on paper or as a prototype may not work so well in practice.
You’ll also encounter bugs and other issues, so you may end up revising your design a few times. Testing throughout the process is the best way to ensure your business app has a great design.
8. Use Animation to Your Advantage
If you want to make navigation a little easier, try adding some animation. Movement draws the human eye. An animation can direct the user to a button to press or tell them what action to take next.
Remember not to go overboard with animation. Although they can look impressive, they actually slow the app down. You’re aiming to keep things simple and uncluttered, which is a good app design practice at any point.
9. Design Loading Elements
Even the best design process sometimes skips this part. If you’re working on a fast Internet connection, you might forget users don’t always have the same speed. Your app may not load.
You can either design the loading elements or you can forget about them as many designers do. Which is a good app design practice?
The answer is you should take the time to design the loading elements. Not everyone will have access to a great connection all the time.
Loading pages don’t need to be fancy. Even a placeholder element can be useful.
Learn More About Designing Apps
Mobile app design can be intimidating, but it’s not rocket science. With a little more research, you can create a great app for your business that’s easy to use.
Before you begin working on your app design, be sure to think about what’s going into the back end. What will the app do? What features do you need to include to make the app useful for your customers?
If you need a hand answering any of these questions, be sure to look around the blog. We’ve got great tips on must-have features and cutting-edge trends which will set your app a cut above the rest.
