Before going any further, take your phone from your pocket, go to the Play Store, and download a game. Have you done it? Which game did you download? The one with the most interactive cover, right? This is one of many examples of why developers strive to create a catchy and user-friendly design. However, if you are in the early development stages of your software and looking for information about user-interface design and how you can make it appealing to a global audience, you are in the right place.
What is UI (User-Interface) Design?
In simple words, the user interface is everything you interact with software on a digital device. It is the point of contact between you and the application. The user interface design is everything you visualize on the screen, like menus, icons, buttons, layouts, and colors. These elements allow users to interact with the software by clicking buttons, swiping through screens, typing in fields, and more. A well-designed UI is easy to understand and allows users to navigate through the app efficiently. So, let’s take a look at how you can make your UI appealing for a diverse global audience.
Best Practices to Make Software UI Engaging for Global Audiences?
● Keep the Interface Simple
Keep in mind that not all users are technology experts. So, while designing the user interface of your software, make sure to keep it straightforward. Avoid unnecessary elements and keep the language of labels and menus clear.
● Use Common UI Elements to Create Consistency
While using software, users expect a more comfortable and quick experience. Therefore, use common UI elements, including:
- Navigational elements:slider, tags, icons, and search field.
- Input Controls:checkboxes, toggles, dropdown menus, buttons, text, and data fields.
- Informational Components:progress bar, message box, notifications, modal windows, and tooltips.
Moreover, using common elements is also important for creating patterns, layouts, and designs throughout the site. Once a user learns how to perform a function, they can easily get to know the functioning of the other parts of the site.
● Consider Purposeful Page Layouts
Page layouts are a crucial part of any software. It is important to intelligently utilize the space on a page. The relationship between the structure and items on the page is based on importance. Therefore, careful placement of items will make your page more interactive and draw attention to the important information.
● Clear and Concise Language
Software development requires to-the-point content. You cannot use slang, jargon, or idioms. If using these elements is your requirement, make sure to keep them clear and perfectly interpreted across cultures.
● Localization
While going global, you should consider providing multilingual options. People like to use apps in their native languages. It helps them to use it efficiently. Therefore, prioritize translating the UI strings with the help of professional software translation services. They will ensure that the software linguistically and culturally resonates with the target audience. Also, a simple word-to-word translation might not deliver the intended meaning. So, you need expert services to communicate with your audience in their preferred language.
● Global Accessibility Standards
Get familiar with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to ensure your user interface is usable by people with disabilities. For that, you can add extra features such as voice assistance and gesture-detecting sensors.
● Cross-Cultural User Testing
The best way to find out whether your app is ready to be used by a global audience or not is to involve real users from target regions during the early development stages. They will help you identify areas for improvement specific to their cultures and user behavior. Although it is almost impossible to pick locals from different regions, you can get assistance from an IT translation company. They have native linguists of different languages available to help you detect loopholes in your software.
Take Away
Even though software development is a complex process, knowing some hacks and tips can make it easy for you. However, it is crucial to make your software user-friendly. By practicing the above-mentioned tips, you can ensure their global success. Good Luck!