In today’s digital era, user experience (UX) has become a crucial aspect of any software application. Salesforce is no exception. It is essential to make sure that users’ experience while using Salesforce is seamless and intuitive. This blog post is part of a 2 blog series. In this first post I will look at the best practices from a business perspective. In the second post I will look at the options Salesforce Experts like Admins and Developers have to change the interface.
- Keep it Simple
One of the best practices for UI design is to keep it simple. A cluttered user interface can be overwhelming and confusing for users. It is essential to identify the primary functions that users will perform and prioritize them. The UI design should be clean and straightforward, with a clear hierarchy of information. The use of white space can help emphasize essential elements of the user interface, making it easier for users to navigate.
This means that first of all we need to be critical on the information we want to collect as a business and want to display. In most instances it is very easy to for example add fields or make them required. But what is the impact for the user? Think about what the daily workflow for your users is. What are their key tasks and priorities and how do they support your business. Develop the system from that perspective.
- Consistent Design
Consistency is key when designing a user interface. A consistent design helps users to understand how the application works and what to expect. Consistency in UI design includes using the same fonts, colors, and icons throughout the application. This helps users to identify different elements of the user interface quickly. A consistent design also makes the application look more professional and polished.
In addition think about how pages are build, where does what information go. For example your related lists, are they on the right hand side, or on a sub tab on the record page. Being consistent across all objects makes it easier and quicker for your users to navigate.
An another important aspect here is naming conventions. Nothing is as frustrating as unclean field names or object names. There are ways to rename information in the system. I would recommend this if that aligns better with your business processes. For example if you use Clients in your business as terminology instead of Accounts, your Salesforce team can rename Accounts for you. Reflecting your Salesforce org with your business terminology will make it easier for users to adopt and work the system.
- Use of Visual Hierarchy
The use of visual hierarchy is another best practice for UI design in Salesforce. Visual hierarchy refers to the organization of elements in the user interface based on their importance. The most important elements should be the most prominent, while less important elements should be less prominent. For example, the primary call-to-action button should be more prominent than secondary buttons. Visual hierarchy helps users to navigate the application and find what they need quickly.
If you have a lot of fields on your records, there are several different options your Salesforce team has to display this. There are options to create sections, to make fields only visible to certain users, to make fields visible dependent on answers in another field. There are a wide variety of options, work with your team to find what the best solution is for you.
- Mobile-First Design
With the rise of mobile devices, it is crucial to design user interfaces that are mobile-friendly. Salesforce offers a mobile application for iOS and Android devices, making it essential to design user interfaces that are optimized for mobile devices. A mobile-first design approach involves designing for mobile devices first and then scaling up to larger screens. This approach ensures that the user interface is optimized for smaller screens, where space is limited.
- Accessibility
Accessibility is an essential aspect of UI design. It is vital to design user interfaces that are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Salesforce offers accessibility features such as screen reader support, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast mode. It is crucial to design user interfaces that are compatible with these features to ensure that all users can access the application.
- User Testing
User testing is a crucial step in UI design. It involves testing the user interface with actual users to identify any usability issues. User testing helps to identify areas where users may struggle to navigate the application and provides insights into how to improve the user experience. User testing can be done in different ways, including usability testing, A/B testing, and focus groups.
It is important that you ask users from across the business to test the system. In an ideal scenario you will use both a series of scripted test as well as just letting the users lose on the system. If you have users that will access Salesforce through the mobile app, make sure you test extensively with them too.
- Continuous Improvement
UI design is an iterative process that requires continuous improvement. It is essential to gather feedback from users and implement changes to improve the user experience continually. Continuous improvement involves monitoring user behavior and identifying areas where users may struggle to navigate the application. It also involves keeping up with the latest trends and best practices in UI design.
Conclusion
Enhancing user experience in Salesforce requires a user-centered approach to UI design. By keeping it simple, using consistent design, using visual hierarchy, designing for mobile devices, ensuring accessibility, user testing, and continuous improvement, we can create user interfaces that are intuitive and easy to use.
A well-designed user interface can lead to increased productivity, reduced training time, and improved customer satisfaction.
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