
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are a modern approach to web development that combine the best of web and mobile app 
experiences. They are built using standard web technologies, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and can be accessed 
through a web browser or installed on a user's device. Here are several reasons why websites should consider 
becoming PWAs:

- **Improved user experience**: PWAs offer a more engaging and seamless user experience, with features like offline 
support, push notifications, and full-screen mode. These features help create a more app-like experience, 
increasing user satisfaction and retention.

- **Faster load times**: PWAs leverage modern web technologies, such as service workers and caching, to ensure fast load 
times and improved performance. This can lead to higher user engagement and conversion rates, as users are less 
likely to abandon a site that loads quickly.

- **Offline access**: PWAs can work offline or on low-quality networks, thanks to service workers and caching. This 
enables users to access content even when they have poor or no internet connection, making your website more 
accessible and useful in a wider range of situations.

- **Search engine optimization (SEO)**: PWAs are indexable by search engines, which can lead to better search rankings 
and increased visibility for your website. Improved SEO can drive more organic traffic to your site and help grow 
your user base.

- **Push notifications**: PWAs support push notifications, allowing you to engage with users even when they're not 
actively using your website. This can help drive user engagement, boost retention, and keep your audience informed 
about updates, promotions, or other relevant information.

- **Installable on the home screen**: Users can install PWAs on their devices' home screens, making them more accessible 
and convenient to use. This also increases the likelihood that users will return to your site, as it becomes more 
integrated into their daily routines.

By adopting a PWA approach, businesses can enhance their web presence and deliver an exceptional user experience, 
ultimately driving user engagement, retention, and growth. Cheers!!


Create a Modern Website: Make the website a Progressive Web App


Favicons and share images through meta tags are important elements to include when developing a website for the 
following reasons:

- Branding and Recognition: A favicon, also known as a site icon, is a small image that appears in the browser tab or 
bookmark bar when someone visits your website. It helps users identify and remember your brand, even when they have 
multiple tabs open. A well-designed favicon can enhance the user experience and make your website stand out.

- Credibility and Professionalism: When someone shares your website on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, 
or LinkedIn, a share image is displayed along with the link preview. A well-designed share image can make your 
website look more professional and trustworthy, increasing the likelihood of people clicking on the link and 
visiting your site.

- User Engagement: When someone shares your website on social media, the share image can also encourage users to 
engage with your content. For example, if the share image features an eye-catching photo or an interesting graphic, 
it may entice people to click through and read the article or explore your website.

- SEO Benefits: Including a favicon and share image with proper meta tags can also provide SEO benefits. Search 
engines like Google use this information to understand your website's content and improve its visibility in search 
results. A well-optimized share image can also improve click-through rates and drive more traffic to your website.

Overall, favicons and share images through meta tags are important design elements that can enhance the user 
experience, increase engagement, and improve the visibility of your website. Cheers!!


Create a Modern Website: Add favicons and share image


The routing system of a website refers to the way in which URLs are mapped to specific pages or content within a 
web application. It determines how a user's request is processed and which content should be returned to them.

In simpler terms, the routing system is the mechanism that allows a web application to interpret the URLs entered 
by users and decide what action to take in response. For example, if a user types in "www.example.com/about", the 
routing system will determine that they are requesting the "about" page of the website and return the appropriate 
content.

The routing system is important because it allows for efficient navigation and organization within a web 
application. It makes it possible to create intuitive and user-friendly URLs that are easy to remember and 
understand. It also allows for the creation of complex and dynamic web applications that can handle a wide range of 
user requests and interactions.

In addition, the routing system plays a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO). A well-designed routing 
system can help search engines understand the structure and content of a website, making it easier for them to 
index and rank its pages. This can lead to increased visibility and traffic for the website. Cheers!!


Create a Modern Website: Create the routing of all project pages


Defining a design system is important for several reasons when it comes to designing and developing a modern website:

- Consistency: A design system helps to ensure consistency throughout the website by establishing a set of rules and 
guidelines for how different elements should look and behave. This creates a cohesive user experience and helps to 
  build brand recognition.

- Efficiency: By establishing a design system upfront, designers and developers can work more efficiently. They don't 
have to continually reinvent the wheel or figure out how things should look or function. This speeds up the 
  development process and helps to deliver a high-quality product faster.

- Scalability: A design system is essential for websites that need to scale, particularly those with large, complex 
user interfaces. A well-designed system allows for easy expansion and modification without breaking the overall 
  look and feel of the site.

- Collaboration: A design system provides a common language and reference point for designers, developers, and other 
stakeholders to work from. This fosters collaboration and makes it easier to communicate ideas and changes.

Overall, a well-defined design system is critical for creating a modern website that looks great, works well, and 
is easy to maintain and scale over time. Cheers!!


Create a Modern Website: Define the design system


As we explained in our [previous post](Discovery-Phase-what-it-is-and-why-we-start-projects-with-it) the Discovery 
Phase of a new project is an important part of the project planning process. It involves researching 
and gathering information about the project to determine its feasibility, scope, and potential challenges.

### Typical Deliverables

The most typical deliverables of a Discovery Phase can include:

- **Project Charter**: The project charter is a high-level document that outlines the purpose, scope, and objectives of 
the project. It also includes information about the project's stakeholders, timelines, and budgets.

- **Business Case**: The business case is a document that provides a detailed analysis of the project's costs, 
  benefits, and risks. It helps to determine whether the project is worth pursuing and provides a framework for 
  decision-making.

- **Feasibility Report**: The feasibility report assesses the technical, operational, and financial feasibility of the 
project. It identifies potential risks and challenges and provides recommendations for how to mitigate them.

- **Requirements Document**: The requirements document outlines the functional and non-functional requirements of the 
project. It helps to ensure that everyone involved in the project has a clear understanding of what needs to be 
delivered.

### UX-related Deliverables

HelloWorld teams focus a lot on the usability and the usefulness of any new product having constantly the end-user in 
mind, so apart from the above they run a thorough UX analysis to help stakeholders evaluate their idea and steer the 
wheel towards the right direction before the Development Phase starts.

These are the UX-related deliverables HelloWorld experts work on during the Discovery Phase:

- **Personas analysis**: Personas analysis is a user-centered design technique used to develop a better understanding of 
  the intended users of a product or service. Personas are fictional characters that represent different user types 
  or user groups, based on data and research.

- **User-flow diagrams**: A user flow diagram is a visual representation of the steps a user takes to complete a task or
  achieve a goal within a product or service. It maps out the user's journey from start to finish, including all the
  touchpoints and interactions they have with the product or service.

- **User stories**: User stories are a tool used in Agile software development to describe a feature or functionality 
  of a product or service from the perspective of the user. User stories are short, simple, and focused on the end 
  goal of the user, and they are typically written in a specific format that follows the formula:

  "As a [user], I want [goal], so that [reason]."

  The user story format helps to ensure that the focus remains on the user and their needs, rather than on the
technical details of the feature or functionality.

- **Low fidelity clickable prototype**: A low fidelity clickable prototype is an early-stage design prototype that is 
  created using simple and rough sketches, wireframes, or other low-fidelity design tools. The prototype is designed 
  to be clickable, which means that the user can interact with it and simulate the experience of using the final 
  product.

  Despite their simplicity, low fidelity clickable prototypes can provide valuable insights into the user experience 
  of a product or service. By testing the prototype, stakeholders can identify potential issues and dead-ends early 
  enough and use this useful information to evaluate even better whether their idea worths pursuing or not and even 
  have a better picture about the end result.

### Conclusion

Overall, the deliverables of the Discovery Phase provide a solid foundation for the project. They help to ensure 
that everyone involved in the project is on the same page and that there is a clear understanding of the project's 
goals, objectives, and requirements.

Apart from that, deliverables such as the User Stories or the Clickable Prototype, prepare the ground for the next 
phases of the project, since they help professionals that will be involved down the road, grasp fast what we are 
trying to build and why.

By completing these deliverables, we can help to ensure that a new project is well-planned, feasible, and has the 
best possible chance of success while minimizing risk.

Cheers!!


Discovery Phase: deliverables


In our [previous post](discovery-phase-what-it-is-and-why-we-start-projects-with-it) we explained why the 
Discovery Phase is important and how much it affects projects' success. One thing we didn't mention though is that 
the Discovery Phase helps the team to evaluate the feasibility of a project in order to determine if it's worth 
pursuing in the first place.

Here are some crucial reasons why a Discovery Phase might lead us to abandon a project:

- One reason to consider abandoning a project during the Discovery Phase is if it doesn't align with the company's 
  goals or values. If the project doesn't fit into the company's long-term plans, it's better to move on early and 
  focus on projects that will help the company grow. Additionally, if the project goes against the company's values 
  or mission, it could harm its reputation and lead to negative consequences.

- Another reason to abandon a project during the Discovery Phase is if it's not financially viable. During the 
  Discovery Phase, the team should be conducting research to determine the potential Return On Investment (ROI) of 
  the project. If the projected ROI isn't high enough, it's not worth pursuing the project. Focusing on projects 
  that will generate a better ROI and help the company grow is better.

- Finally, if the team encounters significant roadblocks during the Discovery Phase that can't be overcome, it may 
  be time to abandon the project. This could include issues such as technical limitations or market saturation. If 
  the team can't find a way around these obstacles, it's better to cut their losses and focus on other projects.

In conclusion, deciding not to continue with the development of a new project during the Discovery Phase is a 
difficult decision, but sometimes it's the best one for the company. By staying objective and considering all 
factors, the team can make an informed decision about whether to continue or abandon the project. Ultimately, the 
goal is to focus on projects that align with the company's goals and values, have a high potential ROI, and can be 
completed successfully.

One of the core objectives of HelloWorld teams, throughout the Discovery Phase, is to help stakeholders evaluate 
products and projects so they can understand whether it's worth pursuing them.

Cheers!!


Discovery Phase: decide whether a project or a product is worth pursuing


Starting a new project can be exciting, but it's important to take the time to plan and prepare. A Discovery Phase 
is a crucial step in any project that involves User Experience (UX), Engineering and DevOps. This phase involves research, analysis, and planning that will inform the project's design and development. In this blog post, we will discuss why a Discovery Phase is important and how to get started.

Here are the reasons why a Discovery Phase is extremely important and should take place before actual development:

- The first reason to start a project with a Discovery Phase is to gain a deeper understanding of the users and their needs. A Discovery Phase involves user research, which can include surveys, interviews, and observations. By understanding the users' needs, pain points, and preferences, we can create a more effective and user-friendly product. This knowledge will inform the project's design and development, leading to a better user experience.

- Another reason to start a project with a Discovery Phase is to identify potential roadblocks and opportunities. During this phase, we will analyze the data and identify trends and patterns. This analysis can help us identify potential issues and opportunities that may arise during the project's development. By identifying these roadblocks early, we can develop a plan to mitigate them, ensuring that the project stays on track.

- The Discovery Phase is also an opportunity to establish a clear project vision and strategy. By gathering data and analyzing it, we can develop a project plan that is aligned with the core business goals and user needs. This plan will help guide the project's design and development, ensuring that everyone involved is working towards a common goal.

- Finally, a Discovery Phase can save time and money in the long run. By investing time in research and planning at the beginning of the project, we can avoid costly mistakes and redesigns later on. By establishing a clear project vision and strategy, we can ensure that everyone involved is working towards the same goal, reducing the risk of miscommunication and delays.

In conclusion, starting a project with a Discovery Phase is an essential step for any project that involves UX, Engineering and DevOps. By gaining a deeper understanding of the users and their needs, identifying potential roadblocks and opportunities, establishing a clear project vision and strategy, and saving time and money in the long run, we can ensure that the project is successful.

HelloWorld highly advises its customers to start all new projects with a Discovery Phase, so we collaborate closely to plan, analyze and prepare the core business needs and ensure that we are about to create a successful and user-friendly product.

Cheers!!


Discovery Phase: what it is and why we start new projects with it


In UX design, avoiding randomness is essential for creating a consistent and predictable user experience.

Clear and concise scaling systems help to eliminate uncertainty and promote user understanding and control.

By establishing clear parameters for core principles such as colors, elements spacing, and typography sizing, designers can ensure a consistent and seamless experience across different devices and platforms.

Well-defined scales also facilitate the ability to iterate and improve upon the design, leading to a better overall user experience.

Last but not least, well-defined scales help hugely in the implementation phase since the designers and the developers have a common language to communicate with.


Fight design randomness through well-defined scales


Before we even realise it, our brains are constantly scanning the information on the screen in front of us. It's recommended practice to place the most crucial action last on small windows.

So, bottom and right, is the best position as human eyes scan content from left to right following the Z pattern! Right position ensures users will follow a simpler path in order to find the primary button as it is shown in the picture.

On the other hand, on larger browser windows and especially if users have to scroll down, the primary button should be placed directly beneath the final paragraph of text on the left!


Position primary buttons to the right in modals


We should ensure that the products we ship will be usable and accessible by as many people as possible.

This includes catering to the needs of people with disabilities, as well as understanding how different environments or situational factors might impact the user experience.

Things like color contrast, font size, layout responsiveness, gestures simplicity, multi-modal data entry are just some key principles we should take care of.


Accessibility is critical to good UX


Frankly, nobody cares about the framework or the stack or the programming language behind an application.

Everyone though cares about the problem it solves.

UX makes technology usage easy.

It helps us ship efficient solutions that tackle actual users’ problems.


UX design humanizes technology


We make a huge mistake if we believe that UX is just a procedure that takes place before actual development begins.

On the contrary, UX actually never ends.

Apart from the obvious impact on product design, UX has a huge business impact too.

UX can shape organizations and teach them how to evaluate decisions, listen to the market, and re-iterate accordingly all way long.


UX is not a step of the process, it is the process itself


Fitts’s Law is one of the most important and fundamental design laws we frequently ignore.\
\
It describes how long a user takes to hit a target in a graphical user interface (GUI) as a function of size and distance.\
\
Understanding this law helps us design better buttons, forms, lists, and other interactive elements.\
\
Example: Buttons to complete an action should be close to the active elements\
\
Adjusting elements’ size and distance helps the end user to interact faster with the application.


Keep the interactions cost low


Simplicity is underrated when it comes to designing modern products.

The User Experience of an application should be as simple as possible so that users can navigate from A to B without second thoughts.

In order to achieve so, we have to ditch a bunch of bells and whistles so we keep the absolutely meaningful elements and features in the viewport of the end-user.

Stick to the core business goal and get rid of anything distractive if you want to help your customers do their job using your product.


Start new projects with a Discovery phase


UX designers should not assume that people that will use the application think and act like them.

Using friends and family or even worse putting ourselves in the shoes of the end-user to test the result of our work is like shooting our leg.

This is a psychological effect named false consensus, and UX experts should avoid it.

Testing with real users through proper usability testing is the only way to ship the right products for the right target group


Overcome the false-consensus bias


UX is all about delivering something useful.

UI is all about delivering something beautiful.

Imagine a digital product as a cake.

What you first see is the icing, the shape, the decoration, and that’s the UI. It’s the presentation.

The inside of the cake is the UX. It’s the cake itself, how it tastes. It’s the core of the experience.

A cake would look naked without the icing (UI), and the icing has no purpose without the cake (UX).

The right combination of UX and UI leads to success!


UI and UX always go hand in hand, but what differentiates the two?


Mobile browsers usage is way above 50%, so we should consider this when designing web applications.

Analyzing the users’ journey in terms of mobile browsers first or even providing a totally different experience compared with the desktop version is the way to go nowadays.


Mobile comes first


In modern web applications, it is common to present a great volume of data using tables and then let the users filter and sort data or even use a pagination menu to navigate across them.

What happens when the users refresh the page accidentally or even when they move to another page on purpose and then return back? Does the table’s state reset every time? ♻️😱

This is an awful user experience.

Help the end-users land in the same UI state by using the browser history properly 🎯😉


Make the browser’s history your ally


Avoid grouping validation error messages!!

Keep the error messages next to the appropriate input field so that users know exactly which fields need their attention and why 😉


Avoid grouping validation error messages


Providing sensitive information can accidentally lead to a huge security hole.

Guide the user without revealing sensitive information. 😬


Guide the user without revealing sensitive information


Always remember to "KISS" 💋 --> Keep it Simple, Stupid 😉

Try to make things as easy as possible for the user.

If the customers call your product or service "simple", that’s very important in terms of success!


Keep it Simple, Stupid


If the form fails validation, show the users exactly which fields need their attention and why to help them continue their journey!!

Generic messages like «Invalid Inputs» or «Something is wrong» are not considered that helpful 😉


Show the users exactly which fields need their attention and why


Blocking users and preventing them from doing their job and continuing their journey is considered a bad practice especially as the frontend world moves closer to concurrency and asynchronous rendering.

Use a spinner only where the update takes place 😉


Avoid blocking users no matter what


Avoid using icons that depict obsolete technologies or visual metaphors.

In 10 years from now, nobody will know what any of these are 😬


Publications about "ux"

By HelloWorld PC

Create a Modern Website: Make the website a Progressive Web App

By HelloWorld PC

Create a Modern Website: Add favicons and share image

By HelloWorld PC

Create a Modern Website: Create the routing of all project pages

By HelloWorld PC

Create a Modern Website: Define the design system

By HelloWorld PC

Discovery Phase: deliverables

By HelloWorld PC

Discovery Phase: decide whether a project or a product is worth pursuing

By HelloWorld PC

Discovery Phase: what it is and why we start new projects with it

By HelloWorld PC

Fight design randomness through well-defined scales

By HelloWorld PC

Position primary buttons to the right in modals

By HelloWorld PC

Accessibility is critical to good UX