Mistakes you are making while developing a sustainable UX

Your competitors are racing to develop a sustainable user experience (UX) strategy. Don't fall for the temptation of creating a UX that's just good enough – make sure you're doing it right, or at…

Although many SEO agencies UK, US, and other countries will help you know more about it, we've compiled some common mistakes and pitfalls in developing a sustainable UX and any potential solutions for fixing them.

Here they are:

1. Forgetting about the physical design

There's often a misconception that UX execution is limited to web and mobile experiences. In fact, the principles of design thinking can be applied to industrial and product designers as well.

'Many sustainable products are designed to fix problems – recycling systems, more efficient lighting or water filtration,' says Helen Verran, a lecturer at the University of Sydney and curator for the 'Designing Sustainability' exhibition. 'These kinds of design feature user-centered research and testing throughout their lifecycle.'

Why it's important:

A good UX strategy starts with defining the business goals through understanding users' needs. It then translates those insights into user experience, creating value that aligns both your client's business aims and your company's strengths. This collaborative approach also helps you avoid losing sight of the bigger picture.

What to do about it:

Identify the business goals and form a UX strategy based on user research, testing, and eventually prototyping your solutions. This way, you will avoid creating a buggy or incomplete product that doesn't serve its purpose well enough – even if it satisfies early adopters.

2. Assuming electronic products are zero-waste

It is important to consider how much energy and other resources are used in manufacturing, recycling, and disposal of electronics as part of their carbon footprint. And don't forget those plastic parts and chemical coatings that are not biodegradable.

Why it's important:

The reality is that people buy electronics for their functional value, not as sustainable products. To be successful, a business or product has to meet user expectations without significantly increasing its negative impact on the environment. So to design a sustainable product, you need to understand what your clients really want – do they care about the environmental sustainability of their phones and computers?

What to do about it:

Any good UX strategy should incorporate end-of-life solutions, such as partner with entities that provide servicing alternatives and recycling services, improving existing repair networks, or designing more ecologically responsible products.

3. Confusing "greenwashing" with genuine eco-friendliness

'Sustainable smartphones are not Google's Project Ara, which intend to create modular phones in the future,' says Dr. Gilles Ben Simon, a researcher at the Institute for Science, Society and Sustainable Development. 'These smartphones have been designed without any concern for their environmental impact.';

Why it's important:

There will always be market demand for sustainable products – just as there are markets for luxury goods. But truly sustainable products need an economic model that allows small businesses to compete – not just big companies with deep pockets. It's also paramount to ensure that your clients know and trust your company is providing eco-friendly solutions. Otherwise, you'll lose out on opportunities, especially those interested in certified eco-friendly products or those requiring eco-labeling.

What to do about it:

Ensure you have the expertise and experience to provide sustainable product solutions for your clients. It would help if you also built long-lasting relationships with your clients, helping them understand what sustainability means, what their options are, and how they can find trusted partners.

4. Believing green design is a passing trend

A study of 674 consumers from the United Kingdom has shown that 73% of people think that businesses should state clearly whether they care about the environmental impact of their products. But even if all these people could afford it, most wouldn't buy an environmentally responsible product unless they got something better in return compared to conventional designs. In other words, doing good also has to make good business sense.

How it affects UX:

As mentioned above, sustainability is an important trend that mobile companies and designers need to be aware of – just as you should know your clients' needs and wants. But even if there are market opportunities in providing sustainable solutions, designing eco-friendly products must contribute to your company's success – otherwise, why bother? Also, remember, being eco-conscious does not mean a complete change in design philosophy; creating 'greener' versions of existing designs may not require any changes at all.

What to do about it:

Know how much environmental impact is actually worth for your clients. It's also important to incorporate green design into any solution development from the beginning. This way, you can make sure that your product will stand the test of time and be successful in a market with growing eco-consciousness.

Knowing what types of mistakes should be avoided to create a better UX will help ensure your product is successful in the long run. If you want more information on how these errors could potentially harm your effort, let us know!

Made Simple Media has been chosen as Top Web Design in UK by Designrush.