Being a diagram made up of sequential steps that a user must go through to perform a target action, a user flow is an extremely useful tool for UX/UI designers
Why User Flows Are Important
Keep it accessible
Create a legend
Use one direction
One task per flow
Add visual elements
Combine streams with frames
Test with real users
Optimize for mobile and tablets
The article offers 15 practical tips for creating user flows. Collected from real-world practices, these recommendations will help you design clear and minimalistic flows. The tips include using simple shapes and legends, drawing diagrams in a single direction for clarity, optimizing for mobile devices, and testing with real users. Altogether, they help create a well-structured flow, improve team communication, and enhance overall UX quality
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A correctly composed app or website user flow allows you to:
Create an intuitive design
Analyze and document the design development process
Standardize the design development process to ensure efficiency and quality
Share your vision of the finalized solution with other employees and departments
Identify and eliminate bottlenecks, duplications, and unnecessary steps
Provide users with a concise, user-friendly interface
Make a list of requirements for the content of websites at the initial steps of development
Your app or website flow should be concise and understandable for everyone who reads it. This is why you should make a minimum number of blocks and not clutter them with unnecessary text
The more precise your diagram is for others, the better. Create a straightforward entry and exit point to make it easier for the user to focus on the flow from start to finish. After you draw the main flow, you can also make branches between the secondary blocks. Moreover, you can use a user flow generator to simplify your work.
Instead of building one complex user flow, split it into several smaller ones
Don’t forget to convey flowchart details to users
Use the Swimlane diagram to delineate responsibilities if you involve other departments or teams in processes
Use connectors to make your flow logical and, if necessary, break it into separate pages without losing fluidity
Provide readers with a flowchart legend identifying the goals of all the shapes you used in it. In the basic scenario, you have two characters - the user and the system that responds to their requests. Use the following shapes:
Rectangles to indicate a specific action
Diamonds to show decisions
Circles/ovals to indicate entry and exit points
Arrows to mark navigation around the diagram
Adhere to a single direction when you draw a user flow. Using a user flow app, you can choose right to left or top to bottom. Before you start making your diagram, think about how big it will be and, based on this, choose the type of direction (if you draw flows from left to right, you can fit more blocks by placing them in the form of stairs going down)
When creating flows, assign them one clear goal/task to avoid the appearance of multiple scenarios
of actions. This way, you will be able to prevent unnecessary ambiguity and, thus, not confuse users
To make diagram easier to interact with, supplement it with supporting visual elements. Consider attaching pre-made UI screens, as well as other images and icons. Moreover, you can try a user flow maker, which will simplify this process
If you have made several interconnected threads, just combine them using frameworks. This way, you can group individual diagrams that show different parts of the user journey, giving them names for easier navigation
As a user flow creator, you can test your diagram
on real users, which can be pretty tricky. On the contrary, you will receive a valuable feedback, based on which you will make changes to improve your design. Plus, you can repeat this testing many times
to achieve better results
Note that some projects don't need a desktop version, and the audience uses them only on smartphones and tablets. Ensure flowchart
is optimized for mobile gadgets and that the design functions look perfectly on small screens with touch controls
Making equal intervals between shapes would be best to prevent your diagram from looking sloppy and crooked. This way, it will be visually attractive and more understandable for those who read it. To make it easy and fast, use a user flow website tool for its creation and editing
Ensure you provide users with feedback throughout the flow. Identify all the points where users need to know what is happening and what to do next. That’s why you should include error and confirmation messages, download indicators, etc.
If you need to make a branch in your flow, it is better not to use diamonds that imply a decision. Instead, use a rectangle with two arrows (Split path) to make
it easier for users to understand what to do next
The main goal of creating a flowchart is to analyze user behavior within your digital solution and improve business performance. Thus, it would help to involve your colleagues from other departments in project discussions to get a better result
If you update your flowchart on time, you avoid encountering significant inaccuracies and problems
for your team. Therefore, you must ensure your diagram is continuously updated with new information or steps
Check the User Flow online free tool. In addition to rich visualization capabilities, it will also provide you with functionality for sharing and commenting and, therefore, simplify the work on the project in a team
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