Navigation Patterns and Design Strategies to Minimize Mobile Usability Issues

Abstract

Mobile devices are becoming essential in our daily lives, and people frequently start using mobile devices without fully knowing the navigation of applications, which leads to frustration. New and existing users find usability challenges while using mobile applications because of complex and unfamiliar interfaces. This paper investigates usability challenges and how users interact with WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram navigation patterns. Initially, Study 1 is conducted on the existing navigation of these applications, and after getting user pain points, improved navigation is designed to conduct Study 2. Study 3 compares Study 1 and Study 2 results to seek further insight. A total of 136 individuals participated in the study to assess the usability via the System Usability Scale. The results depict that the overall existing navigation of these applications is complex, which causes a lack of interest in the application and leads to ultimate frustration. When these applications were compared for navigation patterns in Study 1, huge differences were evidenced in navigation patterns, and the conclusion is that users must learn a lot before usage. In Study 2, users observed modified navigation prototypes easy to use, less complex, and less difference in navigation patterns when employed Apps compared with each other. In conclusion, modified navigation-based prototypes foster usability, learnability, and effectiveness.