How to Create a Good Product: User-Centered Design Principles

In product design, the most important principle is “user-centered design.” This article will explore how to create a product that users love, based on user behavior and psychological characteristics.

Understanding User Behavior Characteristics

1. Users are Scanners, Not Readers

Modern users tend to skim rather than read carefully. They will:

• Quickly scan pages for key information
• Be attracted by prominent visual elements
• Primarily remember first and last impressions

2. Users Seek “Good Enough” Rather Than “Optimal”

Users often choose the first option that “seems feasible” rather than spending time searching for the best choice. They:

• Tend to repeat known successful actions
• Value immediate feedback
• Do not spend time comparing all possibilities

Design Principles and Practical Suggestions

1. Simplify Complexity

Break down complex functions into forms that are easy for users to understand and operate. For example:

• Design file upload functionality as a simple drag-and-drop operation
• Divide complex filtering criteria into “common” and “advanced” levels

2. Reduce Decision Fatigue

Users dislike making too many decisions, so we should:

• Provide clear default options
• Set reasonable preset plans
• Minimize unnecessary choices

3. Follow User Habits

Adopt design patterns and interaction methods that users are familiar with:

• Use standardized page layouts
• Employ common operational methods
• Maintain consistent interaction logic

4. Simplify User Input

Reduce the amount of information users need to input:

• Only collect necessary information
• Collect complex information step by step
• Provide convenient input methods

For example, optimizing the registration process:

Traditional method:
Username + Password + Nickname + Email + Phone Number + Region + Avatar + ...

Optimized:
Phone Number + Verification Code

5. Provide Necessary Help

In areas that may cause confusion:

• Add concise explanatory text
• Provide FAQs
• Set up convenient customer service access

6. Optimize Content Discovery

Help users quickly find the content they need:

• Provide a search function
• Design a reasonable classification system
• Add filtering capabilities

Remember, good product design should enable users to easily achieve their goals, rather than making them think about how to use the product. By understanding user behavior characteristics and psychological needs, we can design truly user-centered products.