The Role of UX in Web Development

By: MRT Desk

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The Role of UX in Web Development

In recent years, the demand for skilled designers has grown exponentially, reflecting the increasing importance of user experience in the creation of successful digital products. The rise of mobile devices and web applications has made exceptional UI and UX for web design a vital component of the development cycle, making it critical for organizations to invest in this aspect of their digital strategy.

According to a report by Glassdoor, graphic design was ranked the third-highest paying role in tech in 2022, with an average salary of $120,000. Additionally, the demand for UX web development is projected to increase by 13% from 2019 to 2029, according to BLS. The emerging of new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality is further driving the need for skilled designers.

There are web and mobile applications. They significantly differ in terms of appearance. A mobile app should not be a mere copy of a corresponding web solution as the screens of desktop computers and laptops significantly exceed those of smartphones in resolution. Therefore, the importance lies not only in the appearance of the service but also in its ease of use. The simpler and more convenient the interaction between the audience and the product is, the more successful this product will be in the market.

UX vs. UI

Both of these designs in web development focus on providing a pleasant experience for users while interacting with a product. However, UX for web is more about the overall experience and aims at a product that is easy to use. It concerns the user’s emotions, expectations, and behaviors. UI focuses on the interactive elements of the product like typography, colors, etc.

Both UX/UI and web development are important for the success of a digital product, as they impact how users perceive and enjoy it. In industries such as e-commerce, user experience can directly impact sales and customer retention. However, both UX/UI design and web development are essential.

UX/UI Designers: Responsibilities

The functions of UI and UX web development revolve around building an intuitive experience. The goal of UI and UX design for web developers is to make products easy to use and visually pleasant, allowing to achieve navigation goals efficiently and enjoyably. Additionally, designers strive for consistent and accessible designs with varying backgrounds and abilities.

The responsibilities of designers involve collaboration with product managers, developers, and other team members. They conduct user research and testing to inform decisions of design and web development, create mockups to visualize elements, and create prototypes for tests. Designers also collaborate with developers to ensure that ideas are implemented accurately, they continuously monitor and optimize designs based on feedback. In addition, designers should be up-to-date on trends and technologies to build cutting-edge designs.

Bad UX/UI: The Consequences

A bad UI and UX web development in a digital product can result in severe consequences for companies. Firstly, it can lead to a loss of customers as users abandon the poorly designed application in search of a better alternative. This can negatively impact the company’s revenues and profitability.

Secondly, a bad UI and UX in web development can damage the brand’s reputation as users associate a bad experience with the company’s brand. This can result in a loss of trust and credibility in the eyes of the public. Additionally, a poorly designed application can lead to costly customer support inquiries and complaints, as users struggle to navigate the confusing interface.

The company may also face increased costs associated with iterating and improving the application design to fix usability issues. Ultimately, the worst consequence of a bad UI and UX in web development may be a missed opportunity to capture market share and grow the business in an increasingly competitive landscape.

The Advantages of a User Centered Approach

This approach involves understanding the users’ context of use, task requirements, and goals. One of the key principles of a UC approach is to involve users in the process from the beginning to ensure that their needs and preferences are taken into account. This can involve user testing and feedback to continuously refine and improve the design. Another principle is to provide easy-to-use and intuitive interfaces that minimize the amount of training or expertise required to use the product or system.

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Research shows that adopting a user centered approach can have significant benefits. According to a survey by the Design Management Institute, companies that invested in a user centered design approach outperformed the S&P 500 index by 228% over a 10 year period. Additionally, the International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction reports that a user centered design approach can lead to a 50% reduction in errors and a 41% increase in productivity. These statistics demonstrate the value of incorporating user centered design principles into the design for web development.

Web Development and Design

Brainstorming and Conducting User Research

In the initial stages, designers typically collaborate closely with developers in order to create a cohesive, functional product. They will often begin the process by brainstorming together, discussing the goals and objectives of the project, and considering various design approaches and technical considerations. During this phase, the designers may also conduct user research or testing in order to gain a better understanding of the target audience and their needs.

As the development and UI  design ideas begin to take shape, the teams will then typically work together to analyze and refine the concepts, introducing mutual ideas and feedback to refine the user experience and ensure that the design is optimized for usability and functionality. By working closely together in these early stages, UX/UI designers and developers are able to ensure that the software product meets the needs of both the users and the business, and that it is built in a way that is efficient, effective.

MVP and Testing

During the minimum viable product stage, designers and developers work together to ensure that the product is efficient and effective. The designers make choices and sketches of the wireframe, while the developers evaluate the feasibility of these designs, offering feedback and suggestions as needed. Once the wireframe has been agreed upon, developers move on to testing, ensuring that the functionality of the product is sound and that it meets the needs of the user.

During this testing phase, the developers use a variety of tools and techniques to test the product, gathering data and feedback that is used to inform the designers’ upcoming work. The designers use these testing results to refine the design, making changes as necessary to ensure that the final product is user-friendly and intuitive.

Implementation

During the final stage of software development, also known as implementation, the communication between web developers and graphic designers is crucial. At this stage, the role of UI and UX in web development is to ensure that the website’s visual elements are working well. Meanwhile, the rest of the team focus on the website’s functionality, ensuring that all features and functions work as intended.

While working closely together, it is possible that some of the designers proposed ideas may not work as expected. In such cases, with feedback from developers, changes and fixes will be made to ensure the design for web works correctly without compromising functionality.

Conclusion: Managed Delivery Software Development

Offshore web development companies can perform the full cycle of a digital product, including high quality UI and UX design for web developers by using established methodologies and techniques to plan, design, develop, test, deploy and maintain software applications. These companies usually have a team of professionals with different skill sets, such as software developers, designers, project managers and quality assurance specialists. They work together to create software products that meet the requirements and expectations of the customers.

Web development and design at one place is beneficial for businesses as it allows them to focus on their core competencies and leave the technical aspects of software development to the experts. Offshore web development companies have the required expertise and experience to create software products that are scalable, reliable, and secure.

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