(translation) the button position convention can strengthen the user's usage habits

   Buttons are for designers who don't understand the user experience ：“ As long as there is , It doesn't matter where you put it .” But in the user experience , Details determine everything , Especially the layout of buttons .

   Buttons are similar to door handles . If the door handle is installed in the wrong position , It is difficult for people to open and close doors effectively , And if the installation is right , As long as you have hands, you can walk through the gate without thinking . The installation convention of door handle makes people form an unconscious habit .

Users are habitual

   Similar to door handle , Buttons also need layout conventions . A consistent button layout allows users to get through the application as if through a gate .
   Most applications do not follow the button layout convention , Breaking user habits , This will lead to the inconsistency between what the user wants to do and what the application actually performs .

A case study

   The following example shows how the lack of a button layout convention can lead to serious errors . Users don't always use applications with their eyes , Also rely on usage habits [1].
  Pocket Software discovery ：“ New users always instinctively click the archive button when they want to return , They think the up button will be in that position . The reader will close , But the entries saved by the user will also disappear , Thus, the list is empty or the article is lost .”[2]

   The icon used by the archive button is different from the up button , But it takes up the original position of the up button . Users habitually click the button in this position , Thinking is to return , The result is an archive .
  Pocket Software designers believe that replacing the archive button with the up button will not have much impact , But users are habitual creatures , Details will affect the user experience .
   In another case , Users are confused about the conference creation process ：“ Fill in the meeting details , Invite participants , Then I accidentally canceled the meeting ”.

  “ Cancel ” and “ complete ” The labels of the buttons are different , But because of “ Cancel ” The button is placed in the original place “ complete ” The position of the button , Exceeded user expectations , As a result, the user clicks the wrong button .
   As the saying goes , Hands are faster than eyes , For this case , Habit has more influence than eyes . Designers should consider this , Set the button position convention in the application .

Follow the button layout convention

   No matter what the designer thinks “ Cancel ” The button should Is it on the left or the right , Please set the button position convention in the application , And follow this Convention in all pages , This can form user expectations , Strengthen usage habits .
   If the button position convention is not followed , Will exceed user expectations . Don't let users feel frustrated and confused , Strengthen their usage habits , Let them complete the operation as easily as through the gate .

Original address ：https://uxmovement.com/buttons/how-button-placement-conventions-reinforce-user-habits/

[1] original text ：What guides users are not always their eyes, but their habits.
[2] original text ：Pocket learned that “new users were instinctively tapping the Archive Button to go back, expecting the Up Button to be there. The Reader would close, but the item they saved would disappear, and they would return to their list empty or missing their article”