Here’s How to Fix the Four Worst Mobile App Features
Author & Editor
Senior Software Engineer
Published on: Dec 1, 2022 Updated on: May 20, 2024
Table of Contents
These are probably the all-time worst mobile app features you could have made the mistake of implementing.
In the age of the smartphone, having a mobile app for your business is no longer a luxury – it's a necessity. But even with this knowledge, many businesses still fail to create an app that people want to use.
In fact, studies show that the average person only uses nine apps daily. So, what separates the wheat from the chaff? What makes people keep coming back to certain apps day after day while others languish untouched on their devices?
UX design – the reason behind the best apps
The answer lies in user experience (UX). UX design is all about creating an app that is not only easy and enjoyable to use, but also one that provides value to the user. It sounds simple enough, but in practice, it's anything but.
With so many different elements to consider – from layout and navigation to content and branding – it's no wonder that even experienced designers sometimes make mistakes.
ADDITIONAL READING: A User Experience Design Guide for Beginners
Worst features for UX designs and how to fix them
UX design is tricky business. Sometimes, you want to put a lot of information and features because you feel like what you're putting in is lacking (when it really isn't). And sometimes, you also put too little.
To create good user experience designs, honestly, it's much easier to take not of what you should avoid. These are:
1. Cluttered screens.
Cluttered screens are bad for user experience because they can be overwhelming and confusing. When users are confronted with too much information at once, they can't take it in and they're likely to give up on using the app.
When your users get confused by your app, they may not know how to use it or what to do. This can lead to them not using your app at all, or using it in a way that is not productive for your business.
How to avoid cluttered screens
One of the biggest mistakes that you can make with your mobile app is to overload your users with too much information. Cluttered screens are confusing and overwhelming, and they can lead to people not using your app at all.
To avoid this, make sure that your app is easy to use and navigate, and that all of the information is clearly presented. You should also consider limiting the amount of information that is displayed on each screen. This will help keep your users focused and engaged.
2. Confusing navigation.
One of the main reasons bad navigation is bad for user experience is because it can lead to users becoming lost and frustrated. If a user can't easily find their way around an app, they're likely to give up and delete it.
Additionally, confusing navigation can make it difficult for users to complete tasks within the app, which can also lead to frustration and abandonment. Poor navigation can also be a usability issue, as it can make it difficult for users to figure out how to use an app.
All of these factors can lead to a bad user experience, so it's important to make sure your app's navigation is clear and easy to use.
There are a few ways to fix confusing navigation in your app:
- Make sure your labels are clear and concise.
- Use visual cues, such as arrows or breadcrumbs, to help users navigate the app.
- Make buttons and links easy to see and click on.
- Create a clear hierarchy for your navigation menus.
- Test your navigation with users to make sure it's easy to use.
3. Slow loading times.
One of the main reasons slow loading times are bad for user experience is because they can lead to users becoming frustrated. If a user has to wait a long time for an app to load, they're likely to give up and delete it.
Additionally, slow loading times can make it difficult for users to complete tasks within the app, which can also lead to frustration and abandonment. Poor loading times can also be a usability issue, as it can make it difficult for users to figure out how to use an app.
All of these factors can lead to a bad user experience, so it's important to make sure your app's loading times are as fast as possible.
There are a few ways to fix slow loading times in your app:
- Optimize your code so that the app runs faster.
- Use caching mechanisms to store data locally so that it doesn't have to be reloaded each time.
- Make sure your server is fast and can handle the load from your app.
- Test your loading times with users to make sure they're acceptable.
4. Lack of personalization.
One of the main reasons lack of personalization is bad for user experience is because it can lead to users feeling unimportant and ignored. If a user feels like an app doesn't care about them, they're likely to give up and delete it.
Additionally, lack of personalization can make it difficult for users to complete tasks within the app, which can also lead to frustration and abandonment. Poor personalization can also be a usability issue, as it can make it difficult for users to figure out how to use an app.
All of these factors can lead to a bad user experience, so it's important to make sure your app provides a personalized experience for your users.
There are a few ways to fix lack of personalization in your app:
- Use data collected from users to personalize their experience.
- Show users personalized content based on their interests.
- Use machine learning algorithms to better understand user preferences.
- Test your personalization features with users to make sure they're effective.
Key takeaways
Creating a successful mobile app is no small feat. In order to ensure that users actually enjoy using your app, you need to pay close attention to the UX design. Unfortunately, even experienced designers can sometimes make rookie mistakes.
To avoid committing these mistakes, remember that you should pay attention to:
- Planning your projects. Make sure that you clearly lay down everything that needs to be done for the project, who’s in charge of accomplishing them, and a timeline for accomplishing it.
- Have a checklist of things to do. To help you keep track of every detail that needs to be covered during your development projects. You can download templates for checklists and add on top of it as you see fit.
- Always test your projects. Testing allows you to uncover kinks in your projects that you may have overlooked. Test as many times as you can afford and strive to fix every possible error you can before launching.
Do you have faulty UX design features that you absolutely hate? Tell us about it on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
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