The 7 Deadly Sins of Mobile App Design

Introduction

You're probably thinking, "I'm not a designer, so this doesn't apply to me." But that's where you're wrong. You see, we're all guilty of at least one of these sins from time to time. And when it comes to mobile app design, they can be deadly.

That's why we've put together this list of the seven deadly sins of mobile app design. So whether you're a designer yourself or you just have a say in what gets designed, read on to make sure you're not committing any of these cardinal mistakes.

1. Not Optimizing for Multiple Platforms

Your app is not going to be successful if you only design it for one platform. You need to design it for all platforms.

Don't get us wrong, designing for all platforms is no easy task. It requires a lot of effort and, more importantly, a lot of testing. But it's worth it, because not doing so will limit your app's reach and, as a result, its potential for success.

So make sure that you test your app on as many devices and OS versions as possible. And don't forget about older devices and OS versions either; they're still out there, and people are using them!

2. Unresponsive Design

One of the worst mistakes you can make is having an unresponsive design. In other words, make your users wait for your app to load.

Users are impatient. They want things now. And if your app doesn't load quickly, they'll just leave and find one that does. So, always test your app on different devices and make sure it loads quickly.

Use lazy loading techniques and make sure all your images are properly optimized. Also, ditch those slow animations and flashy effects that only serve to slow things down. Your users will thank you for it.

3. Cluttered Layout

One of the most common mistakes in mobile app design is a cluttered layout. When you have too much on the screen, it becomes difficult to focus on any one element. This can be a particular challenge on small screens, where users are already working with a limited amount of space.

You need to carefully consider how you're going to layout your app and what elements deserve the most attention. Too often, designers try to pack in too much information, or they make the mistake of using multiple fonts and colors. This only serves to create a chaotic and overwhelming user experience.

Minimize the number of elements on your screen, and make sure that each one has a clear purpose. Use a limited color palette and select one or two fonts that will be easy to read. You also need to make sure that buttons and icons are large enough to be easily tapped, especially on smaller screens.

4. Ignoring User Experience

One of the biggest sins—and one that can easily ruin an otherwise great app—is ignoring user experience. Ignoring user experience leads to apps that don’t flow well, are difficult to use, or are just plain confusing.

A good mobile app design should be intuitive and easy to understand. It should be easy to navigate with a consistent user experience throughout the entire app. If a user experiences confusion or frustration, it’s likely going to lead to a negative rating and a lost customer.

To ensure a good user experience, it helps to have an experienced mobile designer who is familiar with design best practices and guidelines. It also helps to have someone on your team who is not directly involved in the development process test the app before launch so that any issues can be addressed early on.

5. Ineffective Navigation System

The fifth deadly sin of mobile app design is having an ineffective navigation system. When users have a difficult time navigating through your app, they're going to get frustrated and bounce.

A user-friendly navigation system should be simple, intuitive, and consistent. Consider putting breadcrumbs at the top of pages so that users can easily track their progress and go back to previous pages if they need to. Additionally, menus, tabs, and buttons should all be easy to find with just a quick glance.

Also, don’t forget about minimizing the number of steps it takes for users to perform tasks or reach certain pages of your app. Having too many steps or clicking through too many screens may discourage people from using your app and cause them to abandon it altogether.

6. Over-Complicated Features

Do you remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? In mobile app design, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do too much too soon. Sure, adding more features to your app might make it more attractive and useful...but is your user really going to know how to use them all?

The key is striking a balance—you want a mobile app with enough features that users can be productive and efficient, without being overwhelmed. If people feel like they need a manual just to use your app, then you’ve got an over-complicated feature problem.

When designing features for a mobile app, keep it simple and functional—and focus on making well-designed features that provide real value. Remember: The simpler you keep things, the easier your users will find them to use.

7. Poor Testing and Launch Process

The seventh and final deadly sin of mobile app design is failing to perform adequate testing and launching with a poor process. Many designers want to rush their app design and launch it as fast as they can, but this can cause problems down the line.

Before you launch your app, it’s important to make sure that it works properly on all devices and operating systems. You also need to ensure that the user experience is smooth and easy for your users, which means performing beta testing with actual users. This will help you catch any bugs or errors before you go live.

Finally, launching your app properly is just as important as designing it. If you don't have a good marketing plan and don't promote your app effectively, chances are no one will ever find it in the first place! Make sure that you take advantage of all available platforms—social media, email newsletters, etc.—to get the word out about your new mobile app design.

Conclusion

So, if you're guilty of any of these sins, it's time to repent and change your ways. But most importantly, learn from the mistakes of others so that you can create a successful, user-friendly mobile app that will be treasured by all.