Glossary

User friendly

digital experience

When a consumer needs to navigate a website or a platform to perform a task digitally, it should not be difficult and be user-friendly. Digital platforms that have user-friendly sites and tasks can serve more customers. Below is an outline of what user-friendly means and the questions surrounding this concept. 

What Does User-Friendly Mean?

The term 'user-friendly' means that a function or product is easy to use by the mass target audience. Anything listed as user-friendly should only have minimal instruction even in the most sophisticated options. 

User-Friendly FAQS

Below are some of the most common questions surrounding the user-friendly concept. 

What are other words for user-friendly?

There are a few other words for user-friendly that include comprehensible, understandable, and accessible. These words describe how the process should be for the user when they are taking on the task at hand. 

What are some examples of user-friendly design? 

  • Netflix Streaming App: Users of all ages and backgrounds can successfully navigate through the Netflix UX design by clicking on their account, searching for specific programs, or navigating through the various categories. The landing screen once you select your account brings you back to where you were watching a program promotion without being overwhelmed. 
  • Airbnb App: Another example of a user-friendly design is the Airbnb app. They allow consumers to easily search for properties in their preferred destinations. There is the utilization of bold highlighting, the easy search box, and quality images to help customers during their search. 
  • Etsy: Whether you are shopping on a mobile device or a desktop, you have the same format to help you navigate between your favorite stores and products. There is a small area that shows trending items, but they do not overwhelm customers while they shop. 

What are examples of not being user-friendly or 'user-unfriendly'?

Here are examples of designs that are not user-friendly according to HubSpot and can show you what not to do:

  • IMDb: This website has experienced a lot of traffic in the past, but its cluttered layout has made it difficult to follow for readers. As you navigate through the site, you will find that the layout doesn't match, going back and forth between outdated images and newer designs, confusing. 
  • LingsCars.com: This landing page is full of confusion the second it populates. There are various fonts, designs, and banners pulling your attention in different directions. It can take a few minutes before you locate the menu on the left side. 
  • Yahoo!: Once a great spot to get caught up on the news, Yahoo!'s landing page has become a prime example of too much in one space. The whitespace on the website is pretty obvious, as it is found heavily around the margins. Then the ads are taking up lots of time and space when scrolling, making it difficult to finish articles. 

What is user friction?

When you hear the term user friction, this is about how inconvenienced the user is when navigating through the website. The longer it takes for them to complete their task and the more frustration that builds increases the amount of user friction. User-friendly designs have low levels of user friction. 

What are examples of user experiences that cause user friction?

Below are examples of when user friction generates on a website. 

  • Slow load times: This is one of the most common grievances that cause user friction. Because of the advanced speed of the internet and WiFi, trying to navigate on a page that doesn't want to load will have them looking elsewhere for products or information. 
  • Too many steps: Being able to navigate and get to a specific task should only take one or two steps, especially when working from a mobile device. If a consumer cannot complete the task in just a few steps, then user friction increases. 
  • Not mobile compatible: With mobile devices being used more frequently than desktops, a website must be compatible with these devices.