The relevance of the 10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design

A heuristic evaluation is a usability inspection method mainly used to identify any design issues associated with the user interface.

Jakob Nielsen’s heuristics are probably the most-used usability heuristics for user interface design.

They are called “heuristics” because they are broad rules of thumb and not specific usability guidelines.

Evaluating the UI against these principles allows you to objectively assess a design. Plus, it serves as documentation, which can help you gain buy-in from stakeholders. Below are the top 10 usability heuristics you should refer to next time you’re auditing a website or product.

1. Visibility of system status

When you log in to Gmail, it shows you what’s happening in the background and the progress.

2. Match between the system and the real world

Recycle bin icon is similar to a real bin, and the icon itself shows whether it has files in it or not.

3. User control and freedom

If you attached a large file in Gmail mistakenly, you can cancel it before its fully uploaded.

4. Consistency and standards

Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint all use the same style toolbar with the same primary menu options: Home, Insert, Page Layout…

5. Error Prevention

When you try to send an attachment through Gmail and forgets to attach it, Gmail smartly detects that you haven’t attached the file and warn you before you send the mail.

6. Recognition rather than recall

When you google, it gives you a list of suggestions as you type in based on your previous searches and related most searches. It also lists your matching bookmarks as well.

7. Flexibility and Efficiency of use

8. Aesthetic and minimalist design

Google search and account login is an excellent example of minimalist design, and it has only the required information to perform the primary task. In contrast, yahoo is cluttered with so many irrelevant details.

9. Helps users recognize, diagnose and recover from errors

When there is an error, you need to help the user recover by suggesting a solution. This error message assures them they are safe and suggest some alternative links.

10. Help and documentation

You can provide any extra information that would be useful to users, along with the label. But you should do so only if it is necessary.

How to Conduct a Heuristic Evaluation

• Establish an appropriate list of heuristics.
• Select your evaluators.
• Brief your evaluators.
• First evaluation phase.
• Second evaluation phase.
• Record problems.
• Debriefing session.