Usability Heuristics

Usability heuristics are foundational guiding principles used as a reference for evaluating and designing user interfaces.

Popularised by Jakob Nielsen, these principles play a key role in improving the user experience by ensuring interfaces are intuitive, efficient, and pleasant to use.

They help detect potential ergonomic issues even

before users interact with the product, thereby reducing the risk of dissatisfaction or errors.



By relying on these heuristics, designers can create interfaces that meet user needs while adhering to accessibility  and usability standards.

Below are the 10 most widely recognised and used heuristics in this field:

1. Visibility of System Status

Principle: Users should always know what is going on, through appropriate feedback within a reasonable time.

Examples:

• A progress bar during a download or load
• A visual or audible change when pressing a button (e.g., color change or animation)
• Contextual notifications/alerts (e.g., “Your file has been saved.”)

Why it matters: Uncertainty causes frustration. Clear communication helps users feel confident and in control.

2. Match between System and the Real World

Principle: The interface should speak the users’ language, using familiar words, concepts, and symbols that follow real-world conventions.

Examples:

• A floppy-disk icon to indicate Save
• Everyday e-commerce terms like Cart / Add to cart rather than technical jargon

Why it matters: Users should immediately understand what functions do without prior learning.

3. User Control and Freedom

Principle: Users must be able to undo, redo, or cancel actions without negative consequences.
Examples:

• Undo/Redo in editors
• Ability to modify or cancel an order before final confirmation
• The browser’s Back function
  

Why it matters: Users need to feel in control of their actions; a lack of flexibility leads to frustration and errors.

4. Consistency and Standards

Principle: Similar elements should behave consistently and follow established conventions.
Examples:

• Close typically in the top-right corner of windows
• Common e-commerce flow: product page → cart → checkout
• Respecting accessibility norms (e.g., Tab and Enter work as expected in forms)
  

Why it matters: Consistency reduces the learning curve and supports intuitive use.

5. Error Prevention

Principle: It is better to prevent errors  than to correct them afterward.
Examples:

• Disabling the Send button until required fields are completed
• Inline validation (e.g., “Your password is too short”)
• Confirmation prompts before irreversible actions
  

Why it matters: Prevention reduces frustration, especially for less experienced users.

6. Recognition rather than Recall

Principle: Minimise cognitive load by making options and information visible.
Examples:

• Dropdowns and autosuggestions
• Clear icons for common actions (e.g., an envelope for email)
• History or favorites to quickly retrieve items
  

Why it matters: Users shouldn’t have to remember complex details or hunt for information at each step.

7. Flexibility and Efficiency of Use

Principle: Interfaces should serve novices and experts, offering shortcuts or advanced features.
Examples:

• Keyboard shortcuts (e.g., Ctrl+S to save)
• An expert mode for advanced options
• Personalisation, such as rearranging a dashboard
  

Why it matters: This boosts efficiency for frequent users without sacrificing simplicity.

8. Aesthetic and Minimalist Design

Principle: Keep interfaces clear and free of unnecessary distractions; every element should have a purpose.
Examples:

• Minimalist home pages (e.g., Google, Apple)
• Use of white space to avoid clutter
• Removing redundant or low-value information
  

Why it matters: A clean interface helps users focus on what matters, reducing cognitive fatigue.

9. Help Users Recognise, Diagnose, and Recover from Errors

Principle: When an error occurs, users must understand what happened and how to fix it.
Examples:

• Explicit error messages ('Your password is incorrect') rather than a vague 'Error'
• Actionable guidance ('Reset your password or contact support')
• Real-time validation in forms before submission
  

Why it matters: Poorly handled errors create frustration and harm the user experience.

10. Help and Documentation

Principle: Even if the interface is intuitive, clear, accessible help must be available.
Examples:

• An FAQ or in-app help center
• A virtual assistant or live chat
• Quick start guides or interactive tutorials on first run
  

Why it matters: Users don’t always have the time or expertise to resolve problems on their own.