picture via offernandinhoon!
Before I get into some examples of simple to use apps that are available right now, I’d first like to discuss what makes them simple to use.
It’s not about a lack of functionality!
Its true that if all an application does is put up a box that says hello, it will be a pretty simple application. But that doesn’t make it useful. It certainly doesn’t make it innovative.
The funny thing is that sadly, an application can be very simple (as in basic) but not be at all simple to use! Let’s take our rudimentary example – the hello box application. If in order to get the hello box to appear you first have to..
- create an account on a website involving several forms etc,
- verify your account via an email link,
- download the application,
- install it (lets assume the install is successful!)
- find where it installed itself to,
- run it,
- press the right combination of buttons,
- …finally – enjoy the fruits of your labour by looking at the box that says helo!
- send the support team for the software an email about how they misspelt the word “hello”.
- Attempt to uninstall it…
Possibly I’m over exaggerating slightly but you take the point. People want a quick return of investment for their efforts.Put simply – the more hoops a person has to jump through, the less comfortable they will be with the product.
So a product may have multiple functions, or it may only have one function that it performs really well (these are the best types of apps in my opinion). But what’s important is the ease in which a user can get to the meat of the product. If the hello box app had extra functions, it wouldn’t make it any better to use. In fact, the convoluted process of its main function would probably just put people off trying to use the extra functions. If they continue to use the primary function then it’s purely because they know of no other tool that does the same thing better.
Quick to get started
Whether it be a trial or the full application, it should be quick for a user to get started with the application. If it’s a web app then then the sign up should be quick and easy. Twitter have a 4 box sign up which is quick and not remotely intimidating…
It’s true that they do require an email activation but they also suffer severely from spam bots.
If the application is a desktop application, you might think that installing should be a nightmare but using a ClickOnce installer means that a user simply has to click a link and the program will install and start running straight away. ClickOnce apps also have the added advantage of automatically checking for updates so the user doesn't have to keep checking to see if their software is out of date. Plus as it runs from the desktop, the user may not need any account credentials meaning one less password to remember.
Intuitive design
The key to great website or application design is not to make the user think.
A user should instinctively know the path to follow. I can give you one great example. Google search…
Instinctive, intuitive, simple design. It is the key to their success. It passes the acid test – my granny can use it! This principle carries through their whole range of products, from gmail to google docs. It’s all very simple.
Hide the complexity
Google’s design is simple but there is a lot of complexity that goes on behind the scenes. The (average) user doesn’t want to know about all this or even know it’s there, they just want it to work. Dropbox are another great example of this. They back up and synchronise files across all your PCs. The best thing about dropbox is that once its installed it just quietly runs in the background, you just stick stuff in the folder and it just works. No fuss, no worries.
Make it easy to leave!
Some sites (such as facebook) have been criticised recently over how difficult it is to remove yourself from their systems.a subscription service should let you quit anytime you like. This is quite intentional, as far as I can see its not an evil plot, more likely its because they want you to be really sure about leaving before you wipe your account. In their defence they also have a way of temporarily deactivating the account – so its not viewable but also is not deleted.
Regardless, people like to be reassured that they are not bound into anything. For example, a successful subscription service should let you quit anytime you like. If the app is that good then there is no reason to trick people into joining a service which they are stuck in for 12 months or more!
Don’t get bogged down with functionality
As mentioned earlier, in my opinion – the best apps are those that perform one function really well. People are generally looking for an answer to one problem so the focus should be on solving that one problem. If people want more then they will let you know! No one like to start an application and immediately have to set up loads of preferences. It should just work out the box, such that it can be tweaked later if the user really wants it.
Conclusion
The more simple and intuitive an app is, the more people it will reach. Once people know they can use the app easily, their confidence grows and they are happy about seeking out new functions within the application. Why aren’t all apps easy to use? Well intuitive design is difficult to implement, to make something easy takes a lot more time. Masking the complexity takes its toll. But it should be the number one consideration when designing the app.
