The mobile app landscape is constantly evolving to meet the growing demands of users. With over 6.3 billion app users worldwide, it's crucial that developers prioritize app user experience (UX) to ensure seamless interactions and satisfaction. Unfortunately, usability issues remain a significant challenge in mobile application development, leading to frustration, abandonment, and negative reviews.

To address this concern, our study aimed to develop a novel framework for preventing usability issues in mobile application development. We conducted a survey of 20 mobile software design and development practitioners to gather insights on effective countermeasures. Through in vivo coding, we analyzed the data collected and developed the MUG-10 framework consisting of ten guidelines and three activities with general applications.

The MUG-10 framework is designed to be user-centric, emphasizing active collaboration with users throughout the testing and feedback process. By incorporating user feedback at each stage of mobile application development, developers can proactively identify and address usability issues, ultimately enhancing app UX. The framework's ten guidelines include:

  • Conduct thorough usability testing and gather feedback from diverse user groups
  • Prioritize simplicity and minimalism in design and functionality
  • Ensure consistency throughout the app's layout and UI elements
  • Optimize app performance for various devices and operating systems
  • Use clear and concise language in all interactions and notifications
  • Provide intuitive navigation and minimize cognitive load
  • Offer customization options to cater to diverse user preferences
  • Implement robust error handling and minimize frustration
  • Ensure accessibility features are integrated into the app's design
  • Continuously monitor user feedback and iterate on improvements

By adopting the MUG-10 framework, mobile application developers can significantly reduce usability issues, improve overall app UX, and enhance user satisfaction. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of these guidelines and validating them across different stakeholder groups.

Keywords: app user experience, mobile app development, usability framework, countermeasures, guidelines

Theoretical Background

Usability is a critical aspect of mobile application development, influencing how users interact with apps. According to ISO 9241-11, usability refers to the extent to which an app can be used by specified users to achieve their goals effectively, efficiently, and satisfyingly in a specified context. However, usability has also been evaluated based on various attributes that reflect the specific needs and requirements of different user groups.

Research Methodology

Our study employed a survey of 20 mobile software design and development practitioners to gather insights on effective countermeasures for preventing usability issues. We used in vivo coding to analyze the data collected and developed the MUG-10 framework consisting of ten guidelines and three activities with general applications.

The MUG-10 Framework

The MUG-10 framework is designed to be user-centric, emphasizing active collaboration with users throughout the testing and feedback process. By incorporating user feedback at each stage of mobile application development, developers can proactively identify and address usability issues, ultimately enhancing app UX.

Evaluating the MUG-10 Framework

To evaluate the effectiveness of the MUG-10 framework, future research should focus on evaluating its guidelines and validating them across different stakeholder groups. Additionally, developing automated tools to support early detection and mitigation of usability issues during mobile application development could also be considered.

Limitations and Contributions

While our study provides a novel framework for preventing usability issues in mobile application development, it is not without limitations. Future research should consider expanding the scope of the study to include more diverse user groups and stakeholder perspectives. The MUG-10 framework offers a new perspective on addressing usability issues and can be applied to various mobile applications.

Conclusion

The MUG-10 framework provides a comprehensive approach for preventing usability issues in mobile application development. By prioritizing user-centric design, collaboration, and feedback, developers can significantly reduce usability issues and enhance overall app UX. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of these guidelines and validating them across different stakeholder groups.