Recent projections suggest that Bitcoin adoption will overtake fiat by 2050. Blockchain technology also holds the promise to change finance, data, and identity ownership. Yet, most blockchain products are still designed with experts in mind.
That’s a revenue blocker considering 68% of customers already quit a financial application during the first steps of digital onboarding. To reduce that high percentage to near-zero from the start, here are 10 of the best blockchain UX design practices to drive user growth.
Key Principles of UI/UX Design for Blockchain
Blockchain products bring very unique design challenges compared to traditional apps. These products require users to manage private keys, handle complex transactions, and stay alert to security risks. With many people having very little familiarity with blockchain and crypto products, onboarding becomes very difficult and raises the chance for user error.
A successful blockchain UX puts the user first, which means reducing barriers at every step. To nail this, there are 10 core principles that should guide every product design. We’ll walk through them in the next section.
10 Best Practices for Blockchain UX Design
These 10 best practices for blockchain UX design are focused on user-friendly design that grows adoption. Brands that factor them in at every stage of blockchain platform creation reach a wider audience and keep existing users active.
1. Simplify the Onboarding Process
Onboarding is the first and most important step in any blockchain UX. Many users have no patience to provide a ton of information or follow too many steps that feel never-ending.
You can keep new users interested and engaged by shortening the sign-up process to at most three steps. Users need to complete registration quickly with clear instructions to guide them. You can use simple prompts and pop-ups to show them the next action they need to take.
Smooth onboarding reduces drop-offs, especially in an already complex space like blockchain. The simpler and faster the sign-up is, the better for your target audience.
2. Use Clear and Jargon-Free Language
The idea of crypto and blockchain is complex enough, so users could use as much simplicity as possible. Avoid crypto slang where possible and break down terms using simple explanations.
Every button, alert, and menu should be easy to read and contain just a few words. The average person’s attention span has never been shorter. With that in mind, it’s a good tip to also use as few texts as possible to provide users with help faster.
3. Design with a Mobile-First Approach
People spend more time on their phones and would rather carry out every task from these smaller screens. Every page and feature should be optimized for mobile. An app might not be needed right away, but the mobile web experience should be smooth, intuitive, and just as fast as desktop use.
4. Build Trust Through Transparency
Show users how their data is handled. Everything on the internet is at constant risk of data breach and misuse. People want to know what you do with the information they share at signup, during KYC or during transactions. Use plain language to explain privacy notices and security measures. Ensure these details are available to users upfront.
Many brands bury the important stuff in lengthy fine print that nobody actually reads. Reduce the long legal or operational talk to a concise explanation broken into small, easy-to-read bits. You want to ensure people fully understand what they are getting into by choosing to use your product. If you are offering your product to people in different countries, set aside a budget for blockchain localization services. That way you can provide a clear walk-through for users.
5. Balance Security with Usability
By all means, use the strongest security features possible. Provide options like two-factor authentication to make users take some responsibility for their own safety.
At the same time, you want to make these security features easy to follow.
Guide your users through each step, ensuring to do so with an approach that talks to them directly. The simpler the guide, the more willing your users are to partake in protecting their interests on your platform. It also encourages them not to opt for a seemingly more secure platform where they understand how security works.
6. Ensure Intuitive Navigation and Consistent Design
Use familiar layouts and simple menus so that users don’t overthink any feature they want to use. This also means keeping icons and colors consistent so that users don’t get confused or lost. To make it easier, design teams should think about the least tech-savvy person who might want to use the product and answer these questions:
- Can they easily find the sign-up option?
- Are the more important features noticeable at first glance?
- Instead of the features, do the color and water-theme take center stage?
If these answers suggest possible struggle with navigation, then the interface needs to be reworked.
7. Provide Helpful Error Messages and User Support
Errors are a normal part of the experience with blockchain products and apps in general. However, these errors need to be explained as plainly as possible. The first place to start is building a help center or quick solution page where users can find answers to every question.
If self-service is possible, provide details on how to go about it in the help center. For more complex cases, provide a support team that works round-the-clock. Preferably, a live chat option with a real person. If the support team can’t work 24/7, provide a chatbot to respond to queries during offline hours, but ensure a human person follows up a few hours later.
8. Incorporate Localization and Cultural Adaptation
Blockchain products often have a global audience and how yours is received depends on how well it resonates with the local users. Support different languages, and if possible, ensure the app’s language automatically switches per region or provide a manual language change option.
Factor in local customs and regulations and adapt content for them. That way your service description is easier to understand. Users can navigate apps better in their local language if used accurately. Blockchain localization services are the best way to get context, slang, and other locally accurate language usage right. The best ones use translators who are native speakers and have blockchain industry experience.
9. Use Visuals and Interactive Guides to Explain Complex Concepts
The best blockchain UX relies on visuals and interactive guides to promote smooth user experiences. Use diagrams, infographics or quick video tutorials to break down hard topics like gas or wallet fees. This way, a new user who has no previous experience with crypto or blockchain gets a tutorial.
Make sure details are clear and simplified, regardless of the medium you choose for explanations. Also, make them stepwise where applicable to create emphasis on what comes first during a process.
These user-experience-focused elements can reduce user mistakes by up to 90%, lower frustration, and boost their confidence. Users also understand complex flows better and know what’s happening in real time when they carry out specific functions within the app.
10. Test with Real Users Across Different Markets
Never launch without getting real user feedback across the different markets you’re targeting. It is one of the top strategies for multinational companies looking to make a smooth integration into new markets. User testing is crucial, especially because users in different countries have different needs.
For example, Americans are more iOS users, while Asians prefer Android. If you were to build the same products for both markets, the users would interact with them differently. In this case, you’ll need to select users from both markets and monitor how they use your product, where they pause and why. You’ll also have to ask questions or note the mistakes they make and how you can tweak things to improve their experience.
As you add new features or target a new region, repeat the process to gather real feedback. This will help you build products that people trust and enjoy because your product addresses real-world issues.
Conclusion
Good blockchain UX is designed to remove barriers so that the technology is available to people regardless of skills and experience. When applied correctly, all the proven design principles we have shared will lower friction and create a trusted product that users love globally. Combining these best practices with careful localization will also make any product last longer in new markets because they feel useful and native. Getting a user’s loyalty is as simple as putting their comfort first in every phase of UX design, from onboarding to usability and support.
If you are keen on making your blockchain product global, then you need more than a good interface. Our team specializes in localization for blockchain companies, with native speakers handling all translations.
We help you adapt each step of the user experience so that people everywhere can confidently navigate your platform with ease. Contact us today to learn more about how blockchain UX and expert localization can promote your user growth and retention.
