10 things you can't ignore when developing user friendly software.

1. How to Make
Software
User Friendly
TOP TEN TIPS
FROM MSM SOFTWARE SOLVED

2. How to make your software
user-friendly
Without question user experience is a critical
element to ensuring that a new software
system is successful. If users do not find it easy
and enjoyable to use it’s likely they will avoid
using it or, just not use it at all.
This SlideShare provides 10 top points to
consider to ensure that your software
development isn’t just about functionality but
usability too.

3. 1. Understand a cross section of
your users
Creating a system that one department finds
easy and intuitive to use does not mean others
will find it the same.
Make sure you understand what varied users
need so that all are considered.

4. 2. PC, laptop and mobile too?
If the users of your system are going to be
accessing via varying devices (e.g. PCs, tablets
and smartphones) ensure that it works
consistently across all of them.
Users will not thank you if they have to change
the way they use the system depending on
what device they use.

5. 3. Visually engage
There is no question that the functionality of a
system is vital but, to help support a good user
experience it must be visually engaging too.
Using visual design to help users understand
where they are, how far they are through a
process and more can all help improve
engagement.

6. 4. Navigation - simple and clear
It’s likely that you have come across a website
or application where you are immediately
baffled by where to find the information you
are looking for. Did you leave or spend time
getting frustrated trying to find what you are
after.
Don’t let your system users be faced with this.
Make sure navigation is clear and simple.

7. 5. Inform the user
Don’t put a user in the position where they
have to assume or guess. If a user does
something correctly, confirm via an in page
message or pop up .
If something has been done incorrectly or not
worked make sure they are served a message
that not only tells them that is the case but
that tells them what they have to do next.

8. 6. Keep it simple
Once users are using the system make sure
pages are uncluttered. If you think users may
need further information relating to a specific
page or process don’t clutter the page with
instructions. Simply provide onscreen prompts
or a link to ‘further help’.
That way users are not distracted or confused
by additional information they may not need.

9. 7. Automate
Avoid asking users to undertake actions that
could be automated. A user who knows that a
process is the same every time is likely to get
annoyed if they are finding themselves
manually completing each and every time.
Where you can automate make sure you do.

10. 8. Is the functionality really
needed?
When you are completing your requirements
gathering ensure you identify which functions
are truly required and if possible check existing
systems to see if they are actually used.
If they’re not don’t add them, there’s no need
to provide a user with a function they’re never
going to need.

11. 9. Consistent imagery/icons
Where you may use images or icons to improve
usability it can be tempting to create ones that
are unique to your brand. Our advice? If there
is existing imagery recognised globally then use
it (so long as it’s legal to do so).
There’s no point in asking users to learn what a
new image or icon represents when there’s
already one that does the job.

12. 10. Customise the experience
If it’s relevant and possible why not ensure that
defaults are set to be relevant to the users
role?
This will not only save the user time but will
also make them feel that they have been
thought of – great for improved user
experience!

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