UI(User interface)
Conversion and UX
Conversion and UX
The UI (user interface) is the visible, touchable layer of a site or app: buttons, fields, menus, colours, type and icons someone acts through.
UI design is about how something looks and feels in use: is a button recognisable as a button, is contrast sufficient, is everything where you expect it, and are components consistent across pages.
UI and UX are not the same. UX is the whole experience — speed, structure, expectations and what happens after the click; the UI is the layer through which someone experiences it. A beautiful interface can still deliver a poor experience.
In practice you work with fixed components and rules: one set of buttons, one form style, one way of showing errors. That makes use predictable and maintenance easier.
In practice
Putting styling above clarity. Light grey text on white and invisible tap targets look calm and cost conversions.
Related terms
- UXUX is the experience of using your site or app: how quickly someone finds what they need and how much effort it takes to finish something.
- UsabilityUsability is how easily someone achieves what they came for on your site or app: quickly, without errors and without having to think about it.
- WireframeA wireframe is a bare sketch of a page containing only structure and order: which blocks, in what sequence, with what message.
- Web designWeb design is designing how a website looks and works: structure, page composition, typography, colour and interaction.