Improve Your Mobile App’s Usability and Design With These 11 UX Trends

When you’re developing a mobile app, there are many features to consider during your creation process. The most important thing to prioritize, however, is the app’s overall usability and design. You may have a great marketing campaign to drive downloads, but if you don’t create a user-friendly experience, consumers are unlikely to keep using your app.

To that end, 11 members of Young Entrepreneur Council shared some of the UX trends developers should consider implementing and why these user experience elements are so helpful in creating a successful mobile app.

1. MODULAR, CUSTOMIZABLE INTERFACES

Many people overlook modular and customizable interfaces due to their perceived complexity and difficulty. The median sophistication of users is increasing every year. Preference-based home screens or dashboards that allow the arrangement of objects based on a user’s desire empowers them to digest information and the features of the application while increasing user engagement and driving value significantly. — Christopher Daden, Daden LLC

2. ELEVATED LOADING SCREENS

In terms of usability, I think the future is all about changing the way we think about loading screens. Loading screens are redundant; instead, people should now start evolving loading screens into educational screens because loading screens open gaps in the activity funnel that leak a lot of users. Eliminating that in favor of educational screens is the way forward for mobile apps. — Asim Rais Siddiqui, Tekrevol

3. GLASSMORPHISM

Glassmorphism means blurring out the background of a screen. It gives the impression of looking through fogged glass. Thus, although your eyes are drawn to a clear focal point, there are also visual hints about what is in the background. I find this trend to be beautiful and effective. Also, don’t be afraid of color! — Ryan D Matzner, Fueled

4. INTUITIVE NAVIGATION

If you want your mobile app to be successful, make navigation intuitive for your users. They should not have to waste time looking for what to click on to go to the next step or to look for something specific. A good way of doing that is to use recognizable icons and symbols. This will boost engagement and help you retain your users for longer. — Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster

5. VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY

I’ve been saying that VR and AR will soon be the hottest trend in digital marketing. This development is particularly beneficial for the retail stores that have transitioned to the digital space. Every developer should be looking into immersive features. Bring the products into the customers’ home through AR and let them experience the product through a different lens. — Solomon Thimothy, OneIMS

6. CONSISTENT MULTIPLATFORM EXPERIENCES

Developers working on mobile apps should consider how they’re going to create a seamless user experience across all devices, not just mobile. Users may be on mobile most of the time, but they’re also navigating your app through tablets and desktops. The more users you cater to, the better things are for your business and its reputation. — Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

7. PERSONALIZED MODES AND THEMES

Allow for customization, even if it’s just color themes or notifications. One underrated UX setting people really love is dark mode. Although most web browsers and devices offer this, not all apps do. White can strain eyes, especially when users have to look at a screen for extended amounts of time. Dark mode can improve the overall UX and may even lead people to use your app more. — John Hall, Calendar

8. AI-DRIVEN PREDICTIONS AND TAILORING

Mobile app creators and UX trend developers should prioritize personalization going forward. Machine learning and artificial intelligence can make predictions and cater to customers like never before. This development means increasing sales and generating more leads. — Jared Atchison, WPForms

9. ONE-HANDED USABILITY

Think about the usability of your app for someone who’s using their phone with one hand. Phones have gotten so big that, for many apps, you need two hands to use them. The best, most usable apps allow you to do basically everything with a single thumb. This is one of the best UX trends that is not getting the attention it should right now. — Cody Candee, Bounce

10. A BIOMETRIC LOGIN

Consider implementing a thumbprint login ID system. It makes logging in secure, fast and easy. That way, you can’t forget your password either. — Tyler Bray, TK Trailer Parts

11. A GOOD CUSTOMER SUPPORT FLOW

One UX trend mobile developers should keep in mind is their customer support flow. Many consumers prefer to do all their business in one place. If your customer service channel is a redirect from your application, you can expect to see people abandon their chat conversations. Merging customer support with your mobile app is one surefire way to improve accessibility, usability and conversions. — Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights

More in UXHow To Use Tokens for a Better Design-Development Handoff