Web page Design 80/20 rules

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Recently learned some about the design principle of content, I found an interesting principle -80/20 rules. Also known as Pareto principle, Juran principle, critical minority and secondary majority theory or factor sparse theory.

In Web site and Web application design, 80/20 rules have a profound impact on user experience and ultimately affect the content utility and function of Web sites and Web applications.

This paper first gives the basic definition of the 80/20 rule, and then explains how the 80/20 rules are effective through the case. Finally, through the collection of 80/20 rules of knowledge to sum up some experience to share with you.

80/20 What is the rule?

The 80/20 rule was originally summed up by the Italian economist Vilfredo, but the Pareto principle was named by Joseph F. M. Zhu Lan.

Here are two definitions of the 80/20 rule. One is from the design of the general principles of the book.

The 80/20 rule holds that in any large system, about 80% of the utility is generated by 20% of the variables in the system.

Wikipedia defines the 80/20 rule as:

In many cases, about 80% of the impact is caused by 20%.

As a designer, you will find that 80/20 rules are not directly controlled by humans, and we observe that it comes naturally.

An understanding of the 80/20 rules will enable us to gain valuable information and help us make decisions in terms of improving usability and utility of design.

Don't dwell on the hypothetical nature of the rules

Some critics believe that the 80/20 rule is just a hypothetical, it is a very general system theory, in many cases is not applicable.

But let's leave aside the hypothetical question, for the user interface and function designers, the theoretical concept can help them to review and optimize. Whether the theory is 70/30 or 90/10 rules.

How do you apply the 80/20 rule in the user experience?

The 80/20 rule indicates that the result of 80% is determined by the functionality and characteristics of 20%, which applies to all Web sites, Web applications, and software.

In some cases, it is easy to determine the essential 20% composition. Through web data statistics, form submission, and session cookies, you can track user behavior and help us understand which UI areas the user has the most interaction with.

However, these methods are very difficult to analyze some small behavior. At this point, usability research can be useful.

Case: Identify 80/20 rules

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, a large number of cases illustrate the position of the 80/20 rules in the minds of the UI and UX designers.

Take the most common Drop-down menu in the UI as an example to select a country entry in the registry. Most Web developers and content designers find that some countries are 80% more likely to be selected.

The following figure, although not in alphabetical order seems to be inappropriate, but according to the 80/20 rule, it is a practice to place the options with the most selected number to the item end.

When Amazon chooses a new address, the default option must be the highest selection rate. Pictured below, the United States.

The UK business site below is the UK's default option.

The above example illustrates the importance of optimizing the features and options that are most commonly used.

Where do users usually look?

The "F-type" reading and browsing habits of network users are now determined. Although "F" is not necessarily suitable for all environments, knowing this, when users interact with your design, you probably know the user's concerns.

The following figure is the thermal graph distribution for the user's attention:

Assuming this picture is a good illustration of the user's visual focus, this is also supporting the 80/20 rule theory. The most-watched area on the map accounts for 20% of the page, and 80% of the time for users to focus on this 20% area.

As a designer, when you have mastered this knowledge, you will focus on enhancing and optimizing areas of habitual interest to users.

Of course, it is often the design itself that determines the user's focus, and the "F" is only a basic guide, and it is not possible to use the F-shaped dogma to determine the 20% position.

Mobile design trends and 80/20 rules

Along with the current mobile device, many designers and developers try to design mobile device pages first. In other words, before planning and developing a website, you should make a mobile version of the page in order to gain revenue.

In traditional Web sites and Web applications, the areas with the highest frequency and frequency of interaction are grouped into 20% parts. When designing a mobile interface, focus on the 20% part.

Even though the mobile version of the site contains 20% of the most commonly used features, this mobile version has the most important features, compared to the rich features offered in traditional Web sites.

Let's look at the following case:

The picture above is a complete picture of a Web site that looks like a messy and festive atmosphere. There are some areas on the site that are guided user-shaped. This website design is definitely not the worst in the world, but it is not very centralized and has too many choices.

Compare the following mobile pages:

In contrast, the mobile version of the interface is very concise, guiding the user to find the most important information, rather than let users feel overwhelmed.

Therefore, the compact mobile Web application is a very good example. Designers devote most of their energy to the most important aspects of the project. That is to say, devote most of the time to (80%) the features and content (20%) that users often use.

Experience Summary:

After understanding the principle of the 80/20 rule, designers can follow these methods and summarize the following:

• If possible, analyze site statistics and usability data to determine the 20% of features that users use most often.

• Prioritize. Focus on the most important aspects of Web sites and Web applications, and continue to strengthen them.

• Statistical analysis of the most commonly used functions grouped into 20%, simplifying design and layout on this basis.

• Remove unimportant features and content that are not often used.

• Don't invest too much time and money on features that are less often used, because your return may be very small.

• Try to improve its design and functionality for infrequently used but important elements, because these elements can have a significant impact on interaction once they are used more frequently.

Although the 80/20 rule is an inherently flawed and controversial principle, it is not worthless. You can use 80/20 rules when you redesign, regroup, or even new projects.

80/20 rules can guide users to focus on the most important features and content, and ultimately improve the conversion rate of the site.