UX Fail #5: Hidden UX treasures

When we hear from users: "This is a great feature! But how can you get it", it is usually because features are hidden behind wipe gestures, longpress or key combinations.

What exactly is the problem?

Innovative user interfaces like to break with the conventions of navigation.

Especially on mobile devices such new approaches can be found, as space is limited and the touch interface offers new possibilities.

Then navigation is made possible via wiping gestures or via longpress, which may seem comfortable at first glance.

However, these forms of navigation are by far not known to all users - and often they are not found independently despite years of use of the application/website.

It is annoying if elaborately developed features and functions are not used and only the conventional alternatives are used instead. However, if these are not implemented, the use of the digital product may be very limited or even impossible.

Recommendations from usability research:

• Take the digital experience of your target group seriously. Not everyone works in an online agency or deals with the latest digital trends on a daily basis.
• Test in UX tests whether the advantages of the hidden functions and features outweigh the disadvantages (excessive demands, missed content, etc.).
• Check possibilities for labelling or pointing out the hidden features and functions. Draw attention to them; e.g. with a short intro, animations.