Reportedly, there are about 300 million crypto users in the world right now or approximately 6,6% of the total internet users across the globe. According to Coinmarketcap, there are more than 500 exchanges as of July 2022.
These numbers show that the industry is in its infancy today. Its growth, which we in the industry need badly, lies not only in tokens’ popularity itself but also in the convenience and amiability of crypto apps or dApps (Decentralized Applications). According to Statista, only 9% of users see no issues in available exchanges. And 21% of traders have complained about the inconvenient user interface.
The issues with user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) concerns not only exchanges but all the crypto dApps, digital wallets, metaverse platforms, and other decentralized appliances. Experienced traders can always find a way, even facing complicated designs. However, it can be annoying for the novices to put their money into something they actually don’t understand.
This does not include the rather ridiculous jargon language we have created in this industry... That’s a topic for another piece, may the Lord help us.
What is UI?
UI is the point of human interaction with the software in any electronic device.
There are many types of UI recognized: conversational; command-line; crossing based; gesture; graphical; motion; multi-screen; natural language; touch, etc. All of them have a primary goal. Using emotional connection and visual perception techniques, UI should hook users, making them feel comfortable with any particular website or mobile app.
Simply put, every time your user interacts with your crypto app, it’s better they feel joy or any other positive emotion rather than irritation.
As every modern business relies on its web applications, the role of UI has surged dramatically. Nobody wants to interact with something weird and unattractive. And you have to succeed extremely in UI if you want to make people trust you.
What is UX?
Being the UI sister (or brother), UX shows how users perceive and respond to a particular product design or web service. Analyzing these reactions, UX designers can make the service easy to use, pleasing and approachable.
UX and UI are interdependent terms. But the UX is more like work with overall users’ interaction with the product.
Some people compare UX to the walls and foundation of a house. Furniture and finishing materials make up UI. After having a clear grasp of the user experience, you may create the necessary UI.
Are there some good UX/UI examples?
I bet you know it very well, as the products with the most prominent UX/UI belong to the world’s leading companies.
Maybe the most obvious example is Google. The company has kept its search engine simple and usable for almost a quarter of a century.
Today all the Google services are intuitive and pleasurable to use. Basically, companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, and others are setting the vector of the perfect UX/UI for the whole industry. You may also look at Nike App or Zara website, Headspace meditation app or Airbnb housing service, Netflix or Grammarly, Duolingo or Spotify, LinkedIn or AppStore. Should I continue? They all kick our Web3 or now called Web5s ( stupid jargon languague once more) — butt so hard we are still trying to figure out what hit us.
These examples have something in common: the simplest functional way to use the service, easy platform navigation, enjoyable color palette, any overloaded spaces rejection, safety reminders, and user care.
What’s going on with crypto apps UX/UI?
I can name only a few top-rated crypto apps with good UI/UX. Yes, Coinbase, Keplr and Bit2Me, Binance, OKX.The rest? straight to the trash or to be more polite, they need A LOT OF ROOM for improvement. (Looking at you Metamask, Uniswap)
For instance, the Binance app, switch capacity to Pro and the Lite version within one click, seems like a genius decision. But still, a lot of crypto novices can find the Lite version too primitive and the Pro version too complicated for them. Again, no balance has been achieved.
Typically crypto apps lack some onboarding data and add lengthy registration and verification process as a result, furthermore, there are no clear tutorials about first transactions and purchases, clear exchange rate and transaction fees, and basic safety rules. Let’s not even get started with the stupid jargon language,,,, again….
Regarding some risky services such as crypto, nobody wants to see unexpected overspending, unavailable transfers to offline wallets, or any deposit/withdrawal issues. Plain simple.
How to make the perfect crypto app?
No secret formula has been created, otherwise, I would be in the Bahamas, pretending to be a philantropist, is there anyone doing that already? hmm…
My thoughts:
First, it should be educational and build on the information architecture. Like any blockchain company presents its roadmaps and current work description, crypto apps should tell straight what they are about and how to use it.
Here are some takes you should be aware of -
- Users tend to quit when they lack some vital information or don’t understand how to use the service
- Crypto app devs should give up using complicated and deep terminology in favor of human language;illustrations, progress stats, random quizzes, and visualization of users’ digital assets distribution is the best way to educate them
- Frankly speaking, Web3 devs also need to stop overcharging or inflating their salaries and start delivering more.
- Transparency and security are the key factors to make people trust you
- Explaining crypto advantages would always work to engage users and help them deal with the unknown.
- Summing up, don’t forget that good customer journeys always come from the service’s simplicity, functionality, and reliability.
Analyze your competitors and correct their mistakes. That strategy has always won.
This article is for informational purposes only. Not all information will be accurate and only reflect the opinion of the author. Consult a financial professional before making any major financial decisions. It should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. DYOR
