The UX Revolution
Are you ready for the UX revolution? UX, or User Experience, is all about YOU, the user. It’s about how humans interact with systems, and it’s shaking up the software development industry. In this blog post we take a look at why UX is so important and how it benefits businesses.
It’s not all about features
Historically, software development has often been about introducing as many cool features as possible to stand out from the competition. Nowadays, however, developers are realising that in order to stay one step ahead, UX is the key.
Made in the 90s
The term ‘user experience’ was actually coined by Don Norman of Apple in 1993. He was looking for a more human, accommodating term than ‘usability’ or ‘human interface’ – and he found it!
The first theories surrounding how to apply UX design to websites and software stated the necessity to plan the customer’s whole experience, not just each screen in the software, but observing the whole interaction and therefore defining the different user processes and flows. With these observations UX designers can design how each complex workflow and function should look, and how the service or product can be a part of users’ life.
Today UX is a cornerstone of software development, whether you’re creating customer-facing software, apps or enterprise software for internal use. It affects every aspect of software – its logic, look, feel and the final impression it makes on the user, whether that’s overwhelmingly positive or just plain frustrating.
As software becomes increasingly complex, user experience has grown to be even more important than ever before. So, what are the benefits of putting UX at the top of your software development wish list?
- Productivity gains
There’s nothing worse than getting to the office and discovering that the IT system has undergone a major overhaul. Getting to grips with new software and systems can seriously impact your day, and your productivity. But research shows that intuitive software designed with users in mind can actually enhance productivity. When you spend less time finding your way around the software itself, you’re free to focus on your objectives for the day – increasing revenue for the company and making your workday happier and more productive. - A bespoke system
Just as every program is different, so is every user. Designing software with specific users in mind ensures that your software will suit the needs of the business. By taking user experience into account, your software will fit the workflow of your company. Users will feel more competent as they navigate intuitive menus, with terms and functions specific to your company that makes the software seems familiar even though it’s new. - Maximised compatibility
It used to be simple enough to design software for a single PC or Mac platform. Nowadays, users own multiple mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, as well as laptops. This means that compatibility is a key consideration for software developers. UX designers ensure the software will be cross-device compatible and always give the best experience whatever potential users technology requirements are. The bespoke software is intuitive, looks as good – and functions as smoothly – on a Samsung Galaxy S10 screen as it does on a Windows 10 laptop. - Positive experiences
What makes a consumer stay loyal to a brand or product? It’s all about the positive experiences. This is one of the main reasons why UX is so important. By considering the needs and wants of your customers, you’re one step closer to ensuring those needs are met. Users who have a positive experience browsing your site or using your software are more likely to become a repeat customer. - Listen to feedback for UX success
Successful UX design is also about listening to your customers or staff. By taking into account feedback on your site, app or software, you’ll learn what’s working for your users and what could be improved. UX designers can then implement these features and fix issues to ensure software keeps providing value and meeting the needs of users.
UX puts people first
UX doesn’t have to be a scary term – it’s actually pretty simple. It’s all about putting customer and staff needs first when it comes to software design – just as you do in other aspects of your business. If you’re not sure where to start with user experience, don’t hesitate to partner with experts who can help you get started.
