This article will discuss the importance of UX principles in frontend development. First, we will look at the overlap between the two groups, then at the top five reasons you should learn UX principles as a developer. Use AI Career Roadmap Generator to better understand UX and frontend development and create a personalized guide to reach your goals.
frontend developers need UX
Some people believe developing a website is all about coding, and that’s the only thing that matters. Somehow, they’re right, but the truth is something else. As a frontend developer, you must know UX principles and incorporate them into your development to increase conversion rate, improve user content, or streamline your development process. Doing so will make a significant difference in your final work. To find out more, you can check Senior UX Designer Career Path and How Become Senior Frontend Developer.
UX and frontend overlaps
A seamless digital experience results from collaboration between UX designers and frontend developers. The common goal is to create user-friendly, intuitive, and alluring interfaces. designers focus on the general sense of the product, while developers bring them to life using their coding skills.
The responsibilities of two teams can overlap in some areas. Understanding them can lead to a more united and well-planned workflow. The synergy of both teams is vital for any victorious project.
Collaboration of two teams
A successful project depends on different factors. Among them, cooperation between UX designers and frontend developers is critical. Mutual understanding and powerful communication will make it possible.
Their responsibilities in common
Websites must be responsive on any device, especially on mobiles. The UX and frontend team’s task is to ensure consistency in design elements across different screen sizes and devices.
A cohesive approach
Both roles are trying for a mutual goal, and reaching the same conclusion means an easier development process and a higher quality product. Find out more about The overlap.
Higher salary for frontend developers who know UX
Adding UX principles to your knowledge and using them in your projects can increase your salary at any level. The table below shows the differences in wages between frontend developers with UX skills and those without them:
Top 5 reasons frontend developers need UX principles
Now that we know the positive effects of UX in frontend development and their overlapping responsibilities, we shall continue with the top 5 reasons why it is no longer an advantageous choice but an essential knowledge to have as a frontend developer.
Reason 1: Boost user satisfaction
Any digital products are aiming for user satisfaction. UX principles categorize the needs and preferences of users based on their values and ensure that every interaction is joyful and well-ordered. Frontend developers can consider elements such as responsive designs, clear visual hierarchy, and intuitive navigation in their developing process. It will result in alluring interfaces that will charm users and keep them returning. For instance, imagine an E-commerce website with a well-designed search feature or without a clear search box. Which one will improve user experience?
Reason 2: Increase conversion rate
When you create a website, there’ll be a list of actions you wish to take by your users, like making a purchase, writing comments below your blogs, clicking on the signup button, etc. These user actions are the key to your website’s success, and they tend to do so when they find the website easy to explore and aesthetically pleasing.
The conversion rate is a percentage that shows how many users complete these actions. Websites with optimized UX design have significantly higher conversion rates.
Reason 3: Smooth out the development process
Communication between developers and designers becomes easier when frontend developers understand design and UX principles. It’ll eventually lead to more efficient and well-organized progress.
Clarifying users’ needs and likes early in the process would help developers avoid unnecessary changes and focus on adding valuable features.
Reason 4: Faster and cheaper development
Incorporating UX principles into frontend development can prevent expensive redesigning and remaking. Aside from cost reduction, time is another valuable source that can hardly be replaced; when frontend developers know about UX, they can address and identify issues before they become a huge disaster and probably a bigger stress source for both designers and developers team and by doing, so they can save a lot of time for the whole team.
Reason 5: Better user retention
First, it’s important to attract users, but keeping them loyal and engaged is another challenge. UX principles help developers create memorable and delightful interactions that reassure users that they will come back. Therefore, a positive user experience is crucial for retaining users and achieving long-term success.
High-quality content, website usability, mobile friendliness, etc., are some UX strategies that can considerably improve user retention rates.
conclusion: A front without UX would be left alone!
Creating websites through coding is only halfway to a successful career. Nowadays, UX principles are not an optional choice but a necessity for frontend developers. To reduce costs and time and create a more functional work environment, the frontend team needs to understand design.
The table below shows the top five reasons we’ve discussed and their impact in percentage. Surely, there are even more reasons approving UX is a MUST for frontend developers; we tried to draw a general picture of its impacts on the developing side and the top reasons.
FAQ
How can UX principles help Frontend developers?
Applying design principles to frontend development means more engaging interfaces, which lead to a more satisfying user experience, better conversion rate, and increased user retention.
Can frontend developers learn UX?
Totally, there are many online resources such as YouTube videos, blogs, courses, E-books, and workshops.
What are some tools frontend developers can use to expand their UX skills?
Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, and Invision are examples of tools that frontend developers can use.
How can Frontend developers incorporate UX principles into their development?
By understanding user needs, accessibility, usability, and paying attention to visual hierarchy and responsiveness.