When defined, the term User Experience (or UX for short) means meeting the needs of the customer or user by way of features that are simple, easy to use, and enjoyable. While there are actually quite a few variations to this definition, the main objective it seems when it comes to UX is to make users like what they are doing with whatever it is they are handling. When it comes to websites and apps, this entails giving the user a site or an app that is easy to use, uncomplicated, and can fulfill what is required without too much hassle.
What user experience means is not that difficult to understand. Many people know that it generally means that whatever is being used takes into consideration what people want and need. There are times however when the definition of user experience, and how it is incorporated into websites, apps, and other things people use, is blurred due to myths. Here are some of the more popular User Experience Myths that people sometimes believe, and the truth about each one:
The term simplicity means minimalistic – this is untrue, particularly when it comes to user experience. Simple does not necessarily equate to something having less buttons or less of anything. It generally means that a person will find the use of the site or app uncomplicated, hence it having simplicity.
User experience is all about usability – this is another myth that people tend to believe easily, and is usually what makes some websites and apps fail when it comes to their user experience goals. The reason why UX is not totally about usability is because user experience actually takes into consideration how people feel when they use a site or an app, and the satisfaction they feel when they achieve something from such a usage.
Your product, site, or app will be used the way you designed it to be used – people think in many different ways, do things in many different ways, and therefore will be using what you produce in many different ways as well. Even when you design something to be used in a specific manner, when a person finds a method they are comfortable with, they will stick with that particular method. This is why you should check every possible angle, and get feedback from users, to further innovate on how your product, site, or app can be used.
Your design is aimed at making your site look good – no, this is not the sole purpose of website design, but is part of it. Design, in reality, is about a number of things that need to work together, and that includes aesthetics, functionality, ease of use, and to satisfy the user’s needs. all of these need to be incorporated at the very beginning, and need to be adjusted periodically according to what users require.
People read all the pages they access online – the reverse is actually true in this case since people do not read every page they come across, save for those that capture their interest or those that they are specifically looking for. What people do is they skim pages, and when they find something that captures their interest in the first paragraph, or in a highlighted quote, that is when they stop to actually read. To make people enjoy reading your content, you need to format this in such a way that it is easy to read (short paragraphs), and with interesting and informative copy.
