"7 Basic Rules for Button Design: Supporting My Company and My Community"

"7 Basic Rules for Button Design: Supporting My Company and My Community"

Introduction:
In today's digital age, designing user-friendly interfaces is crucial for the success of any company. One key aspect of interface design is button design. Buttons serve as the gateway for users to interact with a product or service, and their design can greatly impact user experience. In this article, we will explore seven basic rules for button design, while also delving into the efforts of Instawork, a company dedicated to supporting its community.

1. Clear Labeling: Instead of using generic labels like 'OK', it is better to use labels that clearly describe the button's function. For example, using 'Remove' instead of 'OK' makes it evident to the user what the button does. This clear labeling enhances user understanding and improves overall usability.

2. Prominence and Size: When designing buttons, it is important to make the primary action button more prominent. For potentially dangerous operations like 'Delete', using a contrasting color, such as red, can visually communicate the risk involved. Additionally, increasing the size of a button makes it look more important, capturing user attention and encouraging interaction.

3. Touch Target Size: According to a study by MIT Touch Lab, the average size of finger pads is between 10-14mm, and fingertips are 8-10mm. Based on this, a good minimum touch target size for buttons is 10mm x 10mm. Ensuring that buttons are large enough for comfortable touch interactions is essential for a seamless user experience.

4. Limit Options: Providing too many options can overwhelm users and lead to decision paralysis. It is important to strike a balance between offering necessary choices and avoiding choice overload. By streamlining options, users are more likely to take action, resulting in higher engagement and conversion rates.

5. Visual Feedback: When users perform certain actions, such as downloading a file, it is beneficial to not only acknowledge their input but also provide visual feedback on the current state of the process. Transforming a button into a progress indicator helps users understand the ongoing operation and reduces uncertainty.

Transition: Now, let's shift our focus to Instawork, a company that understands the importance of supporting its community.

6. Trust and Support: Instawork, initially focused on the hospitality industry, recognized the responsibility they had towards their community of partners and hard-working professionals. They understood that providing opportunities for their customers was more than just a transactional relationship. Instawork made a strategic investment in their support team, ensuring genuine empathy, assistance, and expert navigation of complex issues. This level of support fostered trust and loyalty among their community members.

7. Operational Excellence: To meet the needs of their growing community, Instawork took measures to enhance their operational efficiency. They increased their support team by twofold, providing round-the-clock assistance. Additionally, they implemented a Trust and Safety program to swiftly address critical issues and resolve them within one hour. By prioritizing speedy and convenient solutions, Instawork demonstrated their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Actionable Advice:

1. Clearly label buttons to ensure user understanding and seamless interaction.
2. Prioritize the prominence and size of buttons to capture user attention and communicate importance.
3. Limit options to avoid overwhelming users and encourage action.

Conclusion:
Button design plays a crucial role in creating intuitive user interfaces. By following the basic rules discussed in this article, companies can enhance user experience and drive engagement. Additionally, supporting and investing in communities, as exemplified by Instawork, fosters trust and loyalty, ultimately benefiting both the company and its users. By implementing these principles and supporting our communities, we can create a more inclusive and user-centric digital landscape.