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ARTICLE #60

Table of contents

1. Create user-centred design

2. Prioritise mobile in design

3. Make it accessible

4. Keep it consistent

5. Improve performance

6. Keep the design minimalistic

7. Focus on content strategy

8. Make it compatible across various platforms

9. Test the usability

FAQ

Top 9 best practices for UI/UX in 2024 to transform your design

Written by:

5 min read

Updated on: July 18, 2024

Toni Hukkanen

Head of Design

Creative Direction, Brand Direction

Here’s something that often gets overlooked: businesses using strong UI/UX design strategies can actually double their growth rate compared to the industry benchmark. That’s no small win—it shows just how vital design can be for any company’s success.

In reality, design sneaks into just about every part of our daily routines. From the cut of your favourite T-shirt to the fit of a coffee cup, thoughtful design makes it simpler and more enjoyable to use almost anything. It’s no coincidence that around 74% of people are quick to return to a site or app when the user experience feels right. If you’re aiming for happier users (and better results for your business), paying attention to great design is essential. Let’s go through the following top practices for UI/UX that can boost your business throughout 2024—and well into the future.

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.

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 those smaller screens, you risk losing these users immediately.

This doesn’t mean you should ignore desktop visitors altogether—just make sure your interface works smoothly on mobile first. For many people, 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.

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 offer solid pointers on this front. Not only does this widen your reach, but it also shows genuine respect for everyone who visits your site or app.

4. Keep it consistent

Consistency ties your brand together. It involves using the same colour palette, typography, and overall layout across your website or app so users always know they’re still in the right place. Even small details—like how buttons change colour when hovered over—should remain uniform.

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.

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 ensure you’re using best practices to streamline loading times. This approach keeps bounce rates low and search engine rankings healthier. Nobody wants to stare at a loading icon, and your users shouldn’t have to.

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 unnecessary extras. Think of it as walking into a neat and tidy shop—everything is in its place, and you can find what you need right away.

7. Focus on content strategy

Content isn’t just there to fill blank pages. If you plan and manage your text, images, and other media properly, you’ll keep users interested, answer their questions, and nudge them towards the next step. Imagine you’re chatting with a friend who’s pressed for time: keep it snappy, relevant, and worth their while.

8. Make it compatible across various platforms

Sometimes switching from your phone to a tablet, you find out that an app suddenly looks like it has lost its mind. 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 forth. When it all works smoothly—whether someone’s tapping away on a train or sitting at a desk—they’ll stick around.

9. Test the usability

Even the smartest design ideas can flop if you don’t test them. Usability testing involves watching how real people interact with your product, and then collecting their feedback. If they’re stumbling at certain steps or missing crucial buttons, you’ll find out quickly and can fix it.

The best part? Usability testing doesn’t have to be expensive. You can conduct informal sessions with a handful of users and still uncover valuable insights. The key is to identify anything that confuses or frustrates users, so you can refine the design before it goes live.

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—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 expanding, a winning user experience becomes even more crucial. Great UX isn’t limited to sleek visuals; it’s also about making interactions intuitive, enjoyable, and hassle-free. If you aim to stand out, these best practices for UI/UX in 2024 provide a solid route forward. When you prioritise usability, personalise experiences, and highlight appealing details, your audience tends to stay loyal. In turn, your business gains the trust and momentum it needs to keep moving upward.

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