Ever opened an app and felt like your brain just ran a marathon? Too many buttons, too many choices, too much going on: it’s exhausting!
That feeling is called cognitive load, which is just a fancy way of saying how much mental effort it takes to use something.
And if an app makes you think too hard, you’ll probably close it and never look back.
The best apps make things feel easy, almost like they’re reading your mind. Let’s dive into some real-world examples of apps that get this right.
1. KEEP IT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE
Google Search’s no-nonsense approach
Google knows exactly what you’re here for: to search. That’s why their homepage is stripped down to the essentials: a search bar and a logo. No clutter, no distractions, just a direct path to what you need.
Lesson: Less is more. Strip away unnecessary elements that don’t help users achieve their goals.
2. FAMILIAR FEELS
Airbnb’s easy navigation
Ever noticed how Airbnb’s booking process feels intuitive? That’s because it follows patterns we already know from other e-commerce sites. From selecting dates to checkout, everything feels familiar, reducing the need to learn something new.
Lesson: Stick to established design conventions and users will thank you for it.
3. CUT THE EXTRA STEPS
Amazon’s one-click checkout
Amazon realised that making people re-enter their payment and shipping info every time was annoying. Their solution? One-Click Checkout, which remembers your details and speeds up the purchase process.
Lesson: Reduce unnecessary actions, especially in high-friction areas like checkout.
4. TAMING CHOICE OVERLOAD
Netflix’s smart suggestions
Too many choices can leave users stuck in decision paralysis. Netflix solves this by serving up tailored recommendations based on your watch history, so you don’t have to scroll endlessly.
Lesson: Offer curated choices to guide users instead of overwhelming them.
5. GROUPING MATTERS
Apple’s organised settings
Apple keeps its settings menu intuitive by grouping similar options together. Instead of scattering settings everywhere, everything is neatly categorised, making it easier to find what you need.
Lesson: Keep related options together to make navigation smoother.
6. ICONS WITH MEANING
Slack’s smart labels
Icons can be tricky and sometimes they’re too abstract. Slack gets around this by pairing icons with text labels, removing any guesswork about what a button does.
Lesson: Don’t assume icons are universal. Labels can go a long way in avoiding confusion.
Final thoughts...
A well-designed app feels natural, almost invisible. When users don’t have to think too hard, they can focus on what matters – whether that’s finding information, shopping, or just enjoying content. By taking cues from companies like Google, Netflix and Amazon, you can build digital experiences that feel intuitive, engaging and frustration-free.
So, if your app is making users work too hard, maybe it’s time for a redesign. After all, the best technology should feel like second nature.
Need an app that just works? Conn3cted specialises in building seamless, user-friendly software solutions. Let’s make your vision a reality. Contact us today!