UI/UX is one of the significant assets for a website or application. There are over 1.96 million apps available to download from the Apple store. The increasing popularity of iOS apps makes it necessary for UI/UX designers to be well-versed with UI/UX design principles for iOS apps.
This blog is specifically dedicated to the UI/UX design principles for iPhone apps. You’ll learn why following User Interface (UI) guidelines is essential and the best practices for interface design.
Why is It Important to Follow UI/UX Design Principles?
We live in a digital world where everyone checks his phone every 2 minutes. This era marks the boom of digital experiences, and U/UX plays a valuable role in making these experiences as seamless as possible.
If you want to gauge the success rate of a mobile app, judge it on the UI/UX experience. If the user experience is smooth, aesthetically pleasing, and efficient, the user inevitably stays on the website.
The reasons why it is vital to follow UI/UX design principles for iOS apps are as follows:
- User retention: Do you know that iOS apps enjoy a higher retention rate than Android apps? The reason is that the user experience is impeccable for iOS apps. This is why focusing on UI/UX design principles for iOS apps is essential.
- Enhanced utility: A mobile application with increased utility attracts users more than any other app. When an app has low latency, white spaces in all the suitable areas, efficient buttons, and a clear Call-to-Action (CTA), the user experience shoots up significantly.
- Brand reputation: An iOS app that is more efficient and sophisticated app has a higher chance of building a high reputation amongst customers than an average app. The user relates the app experience with the brand’s identity and reputation. This is why following User Interface (UI) guidelines is indispensable.
- Loyal users: Users can intuitively differentiate between an app with a top-notch user experience and an average one. This practice of integrating high-level yet responsive UI/UX design principles for iOS apps builds a loyal customer base.
- Enhanced conversions: A smooth user interface compels users to make a purchase. This process is especially true for e-commerce apps. When an app offers a clear CTA button and easy checkout with a minimal learning curve, it is an obvious path to conversions.
- Easy navigation: An app that follows interface design best practices is a no-brainer for users to keep returning to it. It must be easy for users to locate all the services/products on an app.
Non-Negotiable User Interface (UI) Guidelines
The following are some of the most valuable UI/UX design principles for iOS apps:
1. User demographics
Understanding your users’ background is imperative when designing an iOS app. You must know user behavior, targeted locations of the users, etc. Building a user persona and mapping the user journey can help you design a smooth user interface for an app.
2. Peak functionality
App functionality refers to the degree of user interaction. It is essential to introspect whether the app prompts users to take action. Is your app functional enough for the user to stay on the app? For instance, enabling push notifications, login options, filters on the app, pop-ups, geolocation and map features, offline mode, etc., are some of the best UI/UX design principles.
3. Zero learning curve
What’s the fun of a concealed app, i.e., the user has to dive deeper and search for features? One of the signs for finding out if an app is user-friendly is its ability to walk a user through how to use it. Remember, only some people are tech-savvy!
4. Responsive chatbot
Building an engaging and responsive chatbot UI is one of the best UI/UX design principles for iOS apps. Users often need assistance while browsing an app. For example, if a user cannot figure out the right size of sports shoes on a website, there is a high chance that he’ll reach out to a chatbot for help.
According to Comm100, chatbots handle conversions about 69% of the time! This is why it is essential to integrate a chatbot UI in an app.
5. Voice assistance
One of the best markers of an iOS app’s user-friendly design is the presence of a speech recognition feature. Some people can be inefficient in typing or cannot use their hands because of some disability. Therefore, it is an emerging practice when discussing User Interface (UI) guidelines.
6. Typography hierarchy
A visual hierarchy attracts the human eye. Following different sizes for H1, H2, and H3 tags in iOS apps is essential. The user can skim through the important features of the app quickly. A quick tip is to fix a toolbar listing all the services on the top. The services should expand as a dropdown menu when tapped by a user on the mobile phone.
7. Compelling Call-to-Action (CTA)
Ensure that you place the Call-to-Action (CTA) buttons correctly. Also, primary, secondary, and tertiary buttons must be placed differently based on their hierarchical order. The shape, size, and color of the CTA button also matter. Make sure that a CTA is at most three words.
8. Responsive and agile
Build an iOS app that has an iOS app user-friendly design and is highly responsive. It means the app must be strategically made with proper placement of buttons, image sizes, orientations, colors, etc.
Winding Up
The app experience is only complete if the touch of UI/UX design principles is added. Following User Interface (UI) guidelines must be considered. Even the best designers must constantly get the hang of new UI/UX trends. This is why sticking to the basics of design practices is crucial.
Human behavior and tendencies are the driving force of UI/UX principles. Once you’re well-read with what prompts the users to buy and what kind of experiences they’re accustomed to, you can crack the code of UI/UX design principles for iOS apps.
