Creating Intuitive Navigation in Mobile Apps

Founder, your "intuitive" app is fighting your users' brains. Plot twist: 90% of users never find that "intuitively designed" feature you spent months building. Why? Because our brains are hardwired to be lazy. That's not an insult – it's science. Here's what you're doing wrong (I made these mistakes too): • Assuming users will "figure it out" (TikTok proves simple wins) • Hiding critical features in "logical" places (Instagram keeps main actions visible) • Thinking users will remember your clever navigation (Spotify sticks to patterns) • Believing more options = better experience (Netflix limits choices per row) STOP fighting human nature. Instead: 1. Embrace the "Survival Brain": - Place critical actions where eyes naturally land - Use consistent patterns across ALL screens - Keep primary actions visible ALWAYS 2. Work with Mental Shortcuts: - Group similar items (our brains love patterns) - Use visual hierarchies that match real-world experiences - Limit choices to 3-5 per screen (Decision paralysis is real) 3. Design for Cognitive Load: - Front-load important information - Use progressive disclosure for complex tasks - Make next steps obvious (yes, obvious!) The best UX feels invisible because it works WITH our brain's natural patterns, not against them. The most successful apps aren't winning because they're clever. They're winning because they respect how human brains work. --- PS: What "obvious" UX change dramatically improved your user engagement? Follow me, John Balboa. I swear I'm friendly and I won't detach your components.

Is your digital experience simple to use and easy to navigate, or does it add to patients' stress and anxiety? If you can’t recall the last time you tested it with real patients, you might be surprised by the outcome. Recently, I highlighted three core qualities patients value in digital healthcare experiences: Impact, Simplicity, and Confidence – measured by our Patient Experience (PX) Scale. Now, let's take a deeper dive into SIMPLICITY and how creating easy-to-use digital healthcare experiences can reduce stress and help patients navigate the complexities of healthcare. SIMPLICITY is measured using the following patient-centric criteria: 𝟭. 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮. 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝟯. 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟰. 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 So, how can we design digital experiences that avoid overwhelming patients and ensure effective outcomes? Here are some actionable tips: → Improve Information Scent Use card sorting and tree testing with real patients to organize content in a way that aligns with their journeys and terminology. → Reduce Interaction Cost Minimize the number of clicks (or taps on mobile) required to access essential information or complete tasks. → Don’t Make Them Think Create intuitive and self-explanatory interfaces that are intuitive and don’t require extra effort. → Use Familiar Patterns Stick to familiar and widely used patterns and avoid asking users to learn something new. → Offer Live Support Option Provide easy access to human support when needed, including clear hours of availability. → Offer Additional Resources Provide explainer videos, FAQs, tooltips, or guides for those who need extra help but still prefer self-service. → Use Plain Language Avoid medical jargon, technical terms, or complex phrasing. If jargon is necessary, provide simple explanations and relevant context. → Incorporate Visual Aids Diagrams and images can help convey complex information and improve recall. Simplicity is essential for all patients. As healthcare UX professionals, it’s our responsibility to create effortless digital experiences for real humans from all walks of life. To evaluate and enhance your digital patient experience for simplicity (and beyond), download the open-access framework: Patient Experience (PX) Scale toolkit (linked in comments.)

Are your mobile app users struggling to find what they need? One of the biggest challenges in Product Design is creating a seamless, intuitive experience, especially in mobile apps where space is limited. As UX/UI designers, our goal is to guide users effortlessly, but complex layouts or unclear navigation can quickly derail that experience. Here’s a solution: - Prioritize key actions : Focus on the primary user goals and make those actions easily accessible. - Use visual hierarchy smartly : Bold typography, contrasting colors, and icons help users locate essential elements faster. - Minimalist navigation : Limit the number of navigation options and keep them consistent across screens. Test & iterate : Real-world testing reveals pain points you might miss during the design phase, especially for SaaS products with complex workflows. Remember, simplicity is not just about fewer elements - it’s about purposeful design choices that lead to a better user experience. Let’s connect if you’re interested in exploring more strategies to enhance mobile app usability! #MobileAppDesign #MobileApp #ProductDesign #UXUI #UserExperience