Work with us

How You Can Improve Your Website with Microinteractions

Microinteractions can be a great way to enhance both the user experience and the functionality of your website. Whilst very small parts of your website, these tiny moments can add up to being one of the most important elements, making your website seem weightless and smooth, improving a range of overall elements and helping your website stand out against the crowd.  

What are microinteractions? 

Microinteractions are the small, contained moments that complete one task and one task only, for example when you like a post, set an alarm or even write a Facebook status you are actually engaging with a microinteraction. In fact, microinterations are everywhere, in apps, in our devices and even in household appliances, often being such small parts of our life that they are overlooked or forgotten about. 

There are a number of reasons for microinteractions, they can help you accomplish tasks, connect devices, control music and even simple things such as adjusting heating or turning a feature on or off.  

Why are microinteractions important? 

Whilst microinteractions get very little attention and are usually completely overlooked parts of the user experience it’s important that you still include microinteractions in your website or app design. Ignoring microinteractions can be a huge mistake and although they might get looked over when they are there, people will very quickly realise if you fail to include microinteractions in your website or on your app.

Microinteractions not only improve functionality, they also make your site more engaging, taking a dull experience and making it more fun and memorable, which is why you should care about making the most of your microinteractions.  

4 rules of microinteractions 

If you’re looking to focus on improving your microinteractions then it’s important to remember these four important rules, this 4 step process is a simple, yet effective way in which you can understand and improve your interactions.  

Trigger 

A microinteraction trigger is the clue which initiates the action, such as a visual clue like a flashing icon or even a search bar, which would encourage users to imitate a search of your website.  

Rules

Rules define what can be done with a microinteraction or can’t be done, determining what is going to happen and in what order it happens.  

Feedback

Feedback is how we understand what is happening, through visual clues or through sound clues, with visual being the most important.  

Loops

Loops are how long the microinteraction lasts, is it a short experience? Does it continue to repeat? Loops can help your microinteractions stay relevant and functional over time. 

When you put together these 4 elements you can create a polished microinteraction which will ultimately turn your dull or tedious interactions into fun and engaging elements which can not only modernise your website but also help build a functional and enjoyable website  that your visitors will continue to love for years to come. 

 

Article By
Sarah Seymour,
Published: 5th October, 2016
Categories: Web Design

Start A Project

Our specialist team will provide a quotation based on your requirements

Get A Quote