How Do You Advocate for User Experience as a U6 Designer?
Navigating the complexities of user experience design requires more than just creativity; it necessitates a strategic approach backed by industry expertise. This article delves into essential tactics for U6 designers to effectively advocate for user-centric solutions, featuring insights from seasoned professionals. Learn how to balance client demands with user needs, and transform the digital landscape with informed, impactful design choices.
- Prioritize Customizable UX for Developers
- Advocate User-Centered Design for Better Outcomes
- Compromise to Balance Client and User Needs
- Propose Balanced Ad Strategy for User Retention
- Streamline Checkout Process for Increased Transactions
- Focus on Non-Intrusive Ads for Better Usability
Prioritize Customizable UX for Developers
When I launched FusionAuth, I was adamant that we prioritize a customizable user experience for developers. This wasn't just a business decision but a dedication to making sure developers could tweak authentication flows creatively without starting from scratch. This approach meant initially delaying other features, but it was crucial for user retention and satisfaction.
Our focus on a developer-friendly UX led us to build highly customizable UI options and extensive documentation. This was validated when feedback from our community highlighted that flexibility as a key reason for choosing FusionAuth over competitors. The ability for developers to customize not only saved time but also improved the end-user experience without a heavy investment in redesigns.
This commitment to UX in FusionAuth reflects a broader trend of putting user needs upfront—a strategy that aligns with our long-term business goals by ensuring our product remains user-centric and highly adaptable.
Advocate User-Centered Design for Better Outcomes
At Hook'd IT Up, I've often found myself advocating for user experience in the face of conflicting business priorities. A notable instance was with a client in the home improvement sector. They initially wanted to prioritize rapid deployment over design integrity on a website redesign project. They were keen on launching quickly due to upcoming seasonal promotions, but I pushed for a user-centered design approach to ensure the site was truly responsive and intuitive.
I made the case with data from our prior projects, like the one with Valley Insurance, where a focus on user experience led to a 35% increase in conversion rates. We conducted usability testing with real users, which revealed crucial areas for improvement that would have been overlooked otherwise. Although it delayed the launch by a month, the site saw an uptick in both user engagement and conversion rates post-launch—proving that prioritizing a seamless user experience can lead to better overall business outcomes.
Similarly, when working with Vaughn Hokanson on marketing collateral, we had to choose between lots of information versus clear, digestible content. By advocating for clarity and customer-driven design, the resulting materials contributed to a marked increase in customer engagement and feedback—demonstrating the power of keeping user needs at the forefront.
Compromise to Balance Client and User Needs
The tension between end user needs and client preferences is an ongoing battle for many designers. I used to argue strongly for user needs but was often met with resistance from the client team. On one such occasion, a client insisted on adding 50+ images to a homepage carousel. Clearly, from a UX and performance perspective, this is a bad idea, but the client didn't understand this. So instead, I decided to go deeper into the conversation to understand more clearly the client's motivation. Once we looked at the goals objectively, and as a team, we decided on a better alternative that suited both our preferences.
Propose Balanced Ad Strategy for User Retention
As a UX designer, there was a project where the business team wanted to prioritize monetization by adding more ads to a mobile app. Their primary goal was to increase short-term revenue, but during user testing, we observed that the ads disrupted the core functionality and frustrated users, leading to a high drop-off rate. It was clear that the ad-heavy experience risked alienating our audience and jeopardizing long-term retention.
I gathered data from usability tests and analytics to build a case for the user experience. By presenting clear evidence (such as heatmaps showing where users abandoned the app and survey feedback expressing dissatisfaction) I was able to show how the aggressive ad placement negatively impacted both user satisfaction and engagement metrics.
To advocate for a balanced approach, I proposed a compromise: we could reduce the frequency and intrusiveness of ads while exploring non-intrusive monetization strategies, such as native ads or freemium features. I collaborated with the marketing and product teams to redesign the ad experience in a way that aligned with the app's usability principles.
Ultimately, the data-driven approach resonated with stakeholders, and we implemented the revised strategy. This decision not only improved user retention but also led to more sustained revenue growth, proving that prioritizing user experience doesn't mean sacrificing business goals; it enhances them.
Streamline Checkout Process for Increased Transactions
In my experience, advocating for user experience often involves prioritizing customer engagement over immediate business metrics. Leading The Guerrilla Agency, we worked with a retail client whose website had an overly complex checkout process. Despite the client's focus on quick inventory turnover, we pushed for changes to streamline the checkout experience. By implementing A/B testing, subtly adjusting the color schemes, and simplifying steps, we saw a 25% increase in completed transactions within a month. This demonstrated that user-centered design directly translated to increased revenue and customer satisfaction. Additionally, another project for a small business required a highly customized web solution to maintain engagement. Despite initial reservations about development time, this bespoke user interface increased engagement by 40%, validating the long-term investment in user experience.
Focus on Non-Intrusive Ads for Better Usability
I had to fight hard for a better user experience. Our company wanted to add lots of advertisements to our mobile banking app. The bank managers were excited about making more money from the advertisements. I knew this would make the app very slow. It would also be difficult for customers to use.
I collected feedback from customers. They said they were already struggling with the current app design. I showed this information to the managers. I also made a demo that showed how annoying and confusing the app would become with all the new advertisements. The managers finally understood that happy customers who can easily use our app are more valuable than short-term advertising money.
In the end, we kept only a few small, non-intrusive advertisements. We focused on making the app faster and easier to use. This approach led to more people using our banking services.
