What Is User Experience?

Date First Published: 25th September 2023

Topic: Computer Systems

Subtopic: Computer Software

Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty: Easy

Difficulty Level: 3/10

CONTENTS

Factors That Affect User Experience

Learn about what user experience is in this article.

User experience (UX) is the overall feeling a user gets when using a software program, website, web-based application, or hardware device. A positive user experience is likely to encourage a user to continue using the product or service and recommend it to other people, whilst a negative user experience is likely to discourage a user from using a product or service, switch to another one, and advise others to not use it.

Factors That Affect User Experience

The experience a user is looking for depends on their own needs and requirements. Each of the factors below have different levels of importance to different users. For example, accessibility will be of higher importance to users with disabilities. Some of the factors that affect user experience include:

Accessibility - Ensuring equal access to all users that use a software program, website, or web-based application, including those with disabilities, visual impairments, and hearing impairments. The aim of accessibility is to ensure that all users have equal access and an equal opportunity to use a product or service, regardless of physical disability, situational disability, visual disability, or restrictions on their bandwidth or speed.
Ease of use - How easy it is for someone to use a program or web-based application. A simple user interface that is easy for all users to use, including inexperienced users, will create a positive user experience. On the other hand, if a product or service is difficult to use and complex, it may leave users feeling confused, which will lead to a negative user experience and encourage them to switch to a product or service that is easier to use. Simplified navigation is an example of a factor that makes it easier for users to find what they're looking for on websites.
Performance - How powerful a hardware device is, including processing power, RAM, graphics, and storage. Hardware devices need to be powerful enough for the tasks that need to be performed with them. In web design, the page loading speed is sometimes referred to as performance. Fast loading times and a short response time will lead to a positive user experience as it won't leave users waiting for extended periods of time.
Availability - How often the device, software program, or web-based application can be used or is up and running. Web servers need to be available 24/7 to ensure that all users around the world have access when they request it. Downtime can frustrate users and harm productivity, resulting in a negative user experience.
Reliability - The ability of a system to function under stated conditions for a specified period of time. A reliable system will be able to run for extended periods of time without any problems that prevent it from functioning. An unreliable system will often encounter problems that prevent it from functioning.
Compatibility - Whether a device, website, or software program can communicate with other devices used with it. For example, a website compatible with multiple web browsers and devices will lead to a more positive user experience than a website that performs well on desktop computers, but does not work on mobile devices, which can exclude visitors from using it.