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UI/UX
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Web Design
ARTICLE #60
Top 9 best practices for UI/UX in 2024 to transform your design
UI/UX
web design
user experience
digital design
UX design
UI/UX
web design
Web Design
user experience
digital design
UX design
Written by:
6 min read
Updated on: July 18, 2024
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
Design doesn’t always get the applause it deserves, yet numbers don’t lie: businesses that prioritise UI/UX can double their growth rate compared to the average. That’s not trivial, boosting user satisfaction through thoughtful design can genuinely push a brand ahead of the pack. Why ignore a straightforward win if the data’s so clear?
In day-to-day life, design seeps into everything from a T-shirt’s cut to a coffee cup’s curvature, small details that shape our experiences more than we might expect. According to recent findings, 74% of people revisit a site or app when the user experience meets their expectations. Let’s be real: who would choose confusion over convenience? If you aim to keep users loyal and strengthen revenue, investing in great UI/UX is the way forward. Now let’s explore these core UI/UX approaches for 2024.
Design doesn’t always get the applause it deserves, yet numbers don’t lie: businesses that prioritise UI/UX can double their growth rate compared to the average. That’s not trivial, boosting user satisfaction through thoughtful design can genuinely push a brand ahead of the pack. Why ignore a straightforward win if the data’s so clear?
In day-to-day life, design seeps into everything from a T-shirt’s cut to a coffee cup’s curvature, small details that shape our experiences more than we might expect. According to recent findings, 74% of people revisit a site or app when the user experience meets their expectations. Let’s be real: who would choose confusion over convenience? If you aim to keep users loyal and strengthen revenue, investing in great UI/UX is the way forward. Now let’s explore these core UI/UX approaches for 2024.
1. Create user-centred design
1. Create user-centred design
A user-centred approach puts people’s needs, habits, and preferences at the core of every design decision. It means stepping away from personal biases and asking, “What do users actually want?” Frank Chimero, a prominent designer, once said, “People ignore design that ignores people.” That captures it perfectly: if your design overlooks users’ needs, they’ll tune out.
To succeed with this strategy, do some research first. Interview your target audience, map their everyday pain points, and observe how they interact with products or platforms. Once you understand these details, you’re far better positioned to craft interfaces that genuinely satisfy real-world needs. An iterative approach helps uncover hidden preferences, ensuring refinements happen before major rollouts. This approach encourages brand loyalty and long-term engagement, giving you a competitive advantage in a crowded market.
A user-centred approach puts people’s needs, habits, and preferences at the core of every design decision. It means stepping away from personal biases and asking, “What do users actually want?” Frank Chimero, a prominent designer, once said, “People ignore design that ignores people.” That captures it perfectly: if your design overlooks users’ needs, they’ll tune out.
To succeed with this strategy, do some research first. Interview your target audience, map their everyday pain points, and observe how they interact with products or platforms. Once you understand these details, you’re far better positioned to craft interfaces that genuinely satisfy real-world needs. An iterative approach helps uncover hidden preferences, ensuring refinements happen before major rollouts. This approach encourages brand loyalty and long-term engagement, giving you a competitive advantage in a crowded market.
2. Prioritise mobile in design
There’s no denying that mobile usage keeps growing. On average, 1 out of 5 people spends around 4.5 hours glued to their phones. If your interface isn’t built for smaller screens, you risk losing these users straightaway.
This doesn’t mean you should ignore desktop visitors altogether, just make sure your interface works smoothly on mobile first. For many, checking something on a phone is more convenient than booting up a laptop. A design that’s accessible on a handheld device wins trust faster, and trust translates to repeat visits.
Also, pay attention to different screen dimensions and test on actual devices not just emulators. Hands-on usage can expose layout glitches or awkward tap zones that slip under the radar in a desktop-only review. Tackling these issues early saves your users from frustration and keeps them engaged.
There’s no denying that mobile usage keeps growing. On average, 1 out of 5 people spends around 4.5 hours glued to their phones. If your interface isn’t built for smaller screens, you risk losing these users straightaway.
This doesn’t mean you should ignore desktop visitors altogether, just make sure your interface works smoothly on mobile first. For many, checking something on a phone is more convenient than booting up a laptop. A design that’s accessible on a handheld device wins trust faster, and trust translates to repeat visits.
Also, pay attention to different screen dimensions and test on actual devices not just emulators. Hands-on usage can expose layout glitches or awkward tap zones that slip under the radar in a desktop-only review. Tackling these issues early saves your users from frustration and keeps them engaged.
3. Make it accessible
Nobody wants to leave people out of the loop. Inclusive design covers features like voice recognition, screen readers, and clear pathways for every type of user. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) guidelines pack a punch in this area. They broaden your reach and show genuine respect for everyone who visits your platform. It’s a win-win: you cater to more people, and they feel valued.
Colour contrast is a must-have for people with visual impairments, and alternative text ensures screen readers can convey core details. These details might seem small, but they make a world of difference for an inclusive user experience. Keyboard navigation is another must: some users rely on it entirely. In addition, consistent icons and inclusive language keep your interface open to all. By addressing these details, you’re showing genuine respect for varied needs. Ultimately, a more accessible design greatly benefits everyone by enhancing overall usability across the board.
Nobody wants to leave people out of the loop. Inclusive design covers features like voice recognition, screen readers, and clear pathways for every type of user. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) guidelines pack a punch in this area. They broaden your reach and show genuine respect for everyone who visits your platform. It’s a win-win: you cater to more people, and they feel valued.
Colour contrast is a must-have for people with visual impairments, and alternative text ensures screen readers can convey core details. These details might seem small, but they make a world of difference for an inclusive user experience. Keyboard navigation is another must: some users rely on it entirely. In addition, consistent icons and inclusive language keep your interface open to all. By addressing these details, you’re showing genuine respect for varied needs. Ultimately, a more accessible design greatly benefits everyone by enhancing overall usability across the board.
4. Keep it consistent
Consistency cements your brand identity. It means rolling out the same colour palette, typography, and layout across your site or app, reassuring users they’re still in familiar territory. Even the minor stuff like button hover colours deserves uniform treatment to keep everything cohesive.
A clear and familiar interface helps visitors feel in control. They’ll pick up how things work once and expect the same behaviour everywhere else. The result? Less confusion, greater usability, and more trust in your brand.
Creating a simple style guide can streamline these efforts. Outline everything from button shapes to brand tone, then share it with your team so everyone is on the same page. Users get a continuous experience that inspires confidence and brand loyalty. Gaps in consistency can confuse people and weaken your message.
Consistency cements your brand identity. It means rolling out the same colour palette, typography, and layout across your site or app, reassuring users they’re still in familiar territory. Even the minor stuff like button hover colours deserves uniform treatment to keep everything cohesive.
A clear and familiar interface helps visitors feel in control. They’ll pick up how things work once and expect the same behaviour everywhere else. The result? Less confusion, greater usability, and more trust in your brand.
Creating a simple style guide can streamline these efforts. Outline everything from button shapes to brand tone, then share it with your team so everyone is on the same page. Users get a continuous experience that inspires confidence and brand loyalty. Gaps in consistency can confuse people and weaken your message.
5. Improve performance
Speed matters, on the web a second can feel like an eternity. If your pages load slowly or respond in fits and starts, people will move on. To keep them engaged, compress images, minimise heavy scripts, and check that you’re using methods to keep load times brief. This approach keeps bounce rates low and search engine rankings healthier. Nobody wants to stare at a spinning icon, and your users shouldn’t have to.
Also, explore server-side caching and lazy loading techniques, which help reduce the initial load. Minimising CSS and JavaScript bundles can further cut wait times, especially on slower connections. A quick speed test can highlight bottlenecks, showing you exactly where to optimise. Remember, even small delays can turn potential customers away. Keeping performance top-tier ensures consistent engagement.
Speed matters, on the web a second can feel like an eternity. If your pages load slowly or respond in fits and starts, people will move on. To keep them engaged, compress images, minimise heavy scripts, and check that you’re using methods to keep load times brief. This approach keeps bounce rates low and search engine rankings healthier. Nobody wants to stare at a spinning icon, and your users shouldn’t have to.
Also, explore server-side caching and lazy loading techniques, which help reduce the initial load. Minimising CSS and JavaScript bundles can further cut wait times, especially on slower connections. A quick speed test can highlight bottlenecks, showing you exactly where to optimise. Remember, even small delays can turn potential customers away. Keeping performance top-tier ensures consistent engagement.
6. Keep the design minimalistic
Minimalism emphasises clarity and focus. By stripping away distracting clutter, you guide users toward the core message or action. Clean layouts, clear fonts, and balanced spacing make it easier for visitors to understand what you offer. It doesn’t mean banning creativity; it’s more about highlighting your biggest strengths without burying them under needless extras.
A minimalist interface feels more modern and professional. White space, undervalued, allows key features to shine. When elements aren’t crammed together, users can focus on crucial details without feeling lost. The outcome is a smoother flow that boosts usability and clarity. Try removing anything that isn’t essential: if it doesn’t guide or inform, it might be creating clutter. Minimalism isn’t about stripping personality away; it’s a strategy to highlight your strongest points and enhance user satisfaction.
Minimalism emphasises clarity and focus. By stripping away distracting clutter, you guide users toward the core message or action. Clean layouts, clear fonts, and balanced spacing make it easier for visitors to understand what you offer. It doesn’t mean banning creativity; it’s more about highlighting your biggest strengths without burying them under needless extras.
A minimalist interface feels more modern and professional. White space, undervalued, allows key features to shine. When elements aren’t crammed together, users can focus on crucial details without feeling lost. The outcome is a smoother flow that boosts usability and clarity. Try removing anything that isn’t essential: if it doesn’t guide or inform, it might be creating clutter. Minimalism isn’t about stripping personality away; it’s a strategy to highlight your strongest points and enhance user satisfaction.
7. Focus on content strategy
Content has a bigger job than just filling empty spaces. With thoughtful planning and management of text, images, and other media, you’ll keep folks intrigued, satisfy their curiosity, and gently push them toward taking action.
Sticking to short, punchy copy helps them stay focused, while visuals can lighten any dull stretches. A posting schedule ensures consistent publishing and maintains your brand’s relevance. Listen to user feedback to see what truly matters to them, because each question or critique is a clue. SEO-friendly keywords deserve a seat at the table for better visibility.
This isn’t about randomly stuffing pages with fluff. No filler allowed, period. It’s a deliberate plan to deliver genuine value and prove your brand honors its word. Every piece should earn its place, whether by informing or guiding.
Content has a bigger job than just filling empty spaces. With thoughtful planning and management of text, images, and other media, you’ll keep folks intrigued, satisfy their curiosity, and gently push them toward taking action.
Sticking to short, punchy copy helps them stay focused, while visuals can lighten any dull stretches. A posting schedule ensures consistent publishing and maintains your brand’s relevance. Listen to user feedback to see what truly matters to them, because each question or critique is a clue. SEO-friendly keywords deserve a seat at the table for better visibility.
This isn’t about randomly stuffing pages with fluff. No filler allowed, period. It’s a deliberate plan to deliver genuine value and prove your brand honors its word. Every piece should earn its place, whether by informing or guiding.
8. Make it compatible across various platforms
Sometimes switching from your phone to a tablet reveals that an app suddenly looks out of order. A consistent design across multiple devices, operating systems, and browsers is essential to avoid that mess. Check how things run on Chrome, Safari, Edge, and so on. When everything works smoothly whether someone’s tapping on a train or sitting at a desk, they’re more likely to stick around.
Devoting time to cross-platform testing can save trouble later. Different browsers handle styles in their own way, so watch for quirks or layout mishaps. Tools like BrowserStack help replicate real conditions without hoarding physical devices. Also, check user flows on various screen sizes to keep crucial buttons and text visible. By smoothing out these details, you’ll encourage visitors to return and remain loyal.
Sometimes switching from your phone to a tablet reveals that an app suddenly looks out of order. A consistent design across multiple devices, operating systems, and browsers is essential to avoid that mess. Check how things run on Chrome, Safari, Edge, and so on. When everything works smoothly whether someone’s tapping on a train or sitting at a desk, they’re more likely to stick around.
Devoting time to cross-platform testing can save trouble later. Different browsers handle styles in their own way, so watch for quirks or layout mishaps. Tools like BrowserStack help replicate real conditions without hoarding physical devices. Also, check user flows on various screen sizes to keep crucial buttons and text visible. By smoothing out these details, you’ll encourage visitors to return and remain loyal.
9. Test the usability
Brilliant designs can still bomb without proper testing. Usability testing means observing real users as they navigate your product and recording their thoughts. If people trip over certain steps or fail to see vital buttons, you’ll spot it fast and fix those snags.
Budget constraints aren’t a deal-breaker. Low-key test sessions with a few volunteers can yield a goldmine of insights. The main goal is identifying anything that triggers confusion or annoyance, so you can polish things before launch.
Start testing sooner rather than later. Quick check-ins can discover minor but important tweaks. A/B testing also clarifies which features or layouts resonate. Slapped-together guesses rarely spark brilliance, so get real feedback first. Test ASAP. The more genuine reactions you get, the less guesswork you’ll do and the better your product becomes.
If you’re confident about your skills, these nine practices can give your interface a major boost. If not, collaborating with professionals might be a worthwhile investment. True, hiring a digital marketing or design agency can be more expensive, but the potential return through happier users and stronger brand loyalty which tends to pay off in the long run.
Brilliant designs can still bomb without proper testing. Usability testing means observing real users as they navigate your product and recording their thoughts. If people trip over certain steps or fail to see vital buttons, you’ll spot it fast and fix those snags.
Budget constraints aren’t a deal-breaker. Low-key test sessions with a few volunteers can yield a goldmine of insights. The main goal is identifying anything that triggers confusion or annoyance, so you can polish things before launch.
Start testing sooner rather than later. Quick check-ins can discover minor but important tweaks. A/B testing also clarifies which features or layouts resonate. Slapped-together guesses rarely spark brilliance, so get real feedback first. Test ASAP. The more genuine reactions you get, the less guesswork you’ll do and the better your product becomes.
If you’re confident about your skills, these nine practices can give your interface a major boost. If not, collaborating with professionals might be a worthwhile investment. True, hiring a digital marketing or design agency can be more expensive, but the potential return through happier users and stronger brand loyalty which tends to pay off in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UI/UX in demand in 2024?
Yes. It’s more relevant than ever. Technology keeps moving at top speed, and organisations are after professionals who can build compelling, user-friendly interfaces. If you can simplify a complex platform so it feels as casual as scrolling through memes, you’re going to be a hot commodity in 2024.
What are the most important factors of UX design?
Crucial elements include ease of use, accessibility, credibility, real value, and an up-to-date sense of what users want. Nail those and you’ll see your digital product gain more traction. Think of it as giving people exactly what they’re after—without the headache of complicated steps or confusing layouts.
What is the next big trend in UX?
Three-dimensional (3D) design is pulling lots of focus at the moment. It brings a more interactive spin to interfaces, making flat screens feel slightly out-of-date. With ongoing advancements in technology, expect more brands to experiment with 3D visuals in websites and apps.
Are UI and UX the same things?
They’re related but not identical. UI focuses on visuals—like colours, buttons, and typography. UX is about the overall interaction, including user flow, satisfaction, and how smoothly someone can move through an app or site.
Final Thoughts
As the digital world keeps speeding up, a winning user experience is no longer optional, it’s the difference between standing out and blending into the background. Great UX isn’t confined to sleek visuals; it’s about making every interaction feel intuitive and enjoyable. If you’re aiming to rise above the noise, these 2024 best practices for UI/UX will point you in the right direction.When you prioritise usability, personalise experiences, and highlight appealing details, your audience tends to stay loyal. In turn, your business gains the trust and progress it needs to keep moving upward.
Whether refining an existing platform or building fresh, each design choice shapes user perception. Small, thoughtful adjustments accumulate into meaningful gains, boosting satisfaction and loyalty. Don’t overlook human elements such as clarity, comfort, and empathy when crafting digital experiences. Often, those personal touches help brands stand out for the long haul and leave a mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UI/UX in demand in 2024?
Yes. It’s more relevant than ever. Technology keeps moving at top speed, and organisations are after professionals who can build compelling, user-friendly interfaces. If you can simplify a complex platform so it feels as casual as scrolling through memes, you’re going to be a hot commodity in 2024.
What are the most important factors of UX design?
Crucial elements include ease of use, accessibility, credibility, real value, and an up-to-date sense of what users want. Nail those and you’ll see your digital product gain more traction. Think of it as giving people exactly what they’re after—without the headache of complicated steps or confusing layouts.
What is the next big trend in UX?
Three-dimensional (3D) design is pulling lots of focus at the moment. It brings a more interactive spin to interfaces, making flat screens feel slightly out-of-date. With ongoing advancements in technology, expect more brands to experiment with 3D visuals in websites and apps.
Are UI and UX the same things?
They’re related but not identical. UI focuses on visuals—like colours, buttons, and typography. UX is about the overall interaction, including user flow, satisfaction, and how smoothly someone can move through an app or site.
Final Thoughts
As the digital world keeps speeding up, a winning user experience is no longer optional, it’s the difference between standing out and blending into the background. Great UX isn’t confined to sleek visuals; it’s about making every interaction feel intuitive and enjoyable. If you’re aiming to rise above the noise, these 2024 best practices for UI/UX will point you in the right direction.When you prioritise usability, personalise experiences, and highlight appealing details, your audience tends to stay loyal. In turn, your business gains the trust and progress it needs to keep moving upward.
Whether refining an existing platform or building fresh, each design choice shapes user perception. Small, thoughtful adjustments accumulate into meaningful gains, boosting satisfaction and loyalty. Don’t overlook human elements such as clarity, comfort, and empathy when crafting digital experiences. Often, those personal touches help brands stand out for the long haul and leave a mark.
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Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
- FOR® Brand. FOR® Future.
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
Helsinki, FIN
info@for.fi
Click to copy
New York, NY
ny@for.co
Click to copy
Miami, FL
mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
uae@for.co
Click to copy
Kyiv, UA
kyiv@for.co
Click to copy
Lagos, NG
lagos@for.ng
Copyright © 2024 FOR®
Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
Helsinki, FIN
hel@for.co
Click to copy
New York, NY
ny@for.co
Click to copy
Miami, FL
mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
uae@for.co
Click to copy
Kyiv, UA
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Click to copy
Lagos, NG
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Copyright © 2024 FOR®