Left or Right: The Button Debate in UX Design | Chetna Grover

Left or Right: The Button Debate in UX Design

When it comes to user experience (UX) design, even the smallest details can make a big impact on the user's satisfaction and usability. One of the most debated details in UX design is the placement of the primary button on a user interface. Should it be on the left or right side? The answer is not simple, and there are pros and cons to each option.

The Right-Hand Bias

1. Ease of Use for Right-Handed Users: About 90% of people are right-handed, which means they naturally favor the right side of the screen. This bias can make it easier and faster for users to reach and tap on the primary button when it's on the right side.

2. Fitts' Law: It states that the time required to move a pointer (such as a finger or mouse) to a target area is a function of the distance to and the size of the target. By placing the primary button on the right side, designers can take advantage of Fitts' Law, as the right side is closer to the user's starting position and the larger target area is easier to hit.

3. Consistency with Other Interfaces: Many widely-used applications have the primary button on the right side. This means that users are already used to finding the primary button on the right side of their devices. When designing an interface, keeping the placement consistent with other popular interfaces will make it easier for users to navigate and increase their overall satisfaction.

Additionally, many cultures read from left to right, which means users are more likely to scan the interface from left to right and focus on the right side. This factor has led many designers to place the primary button on the right side, especially for mobile apps and websites.

These are just a few examples of popular apps and websites that follow the right-hand bias for primary button placement. It's important to note that while the right-hand bias is a common convention, it's not a hard and fast rule, and designers should consider their specific user base and context when making design decisions.

The Left-Hand Bias

1. Eye Movement: When reading or viewing content on a screen, users tend to start from the top left corner and move their eyes to the right. This means that placing the primary button on the left side can make it more visible and noticeable to users, as it's in their natural line of sight. This can increase the likelihood of users taking the desired action and improve the overall effectiveness of the interface.

2. Completion Bias: When users complete a task or reach the end of a form, they may experience a sense of completion bias, which can make them more likely to take the final action. Placing the primary button on the left can leverage this bias, as users may be more likely to click on the button if it is the first thing they see when they reach the end of the form. This can improve the completion rate and overall effectiveness of the interface.

3. Visual Hierarchy: In full-page designs and form endings, the primary button is often the most important element on the screen, as it represents the final step in the user's journey. Placing the button on the left can create a stronger visual hierarchy, as it is the first element that users see when they scan the screen. This can help to emphasize the importance of the button and make it more likely that users will take the desired action.

There is no definitive answer to whether the primary button should be on the left or right side, as it ultimately depends on the specific context and the target audience's expectations and preferences.

However, it's important to remember that context and user behavior should also be considered when making design decisions, and testing with real users is the best way to determine the optimal placement for your interface.

In conclusion, the debate over button placement is still ongoing, with Microsoft and Apple having different guidelines. The primary button on the left or right will depend on the context of your design, and you should consider the needs of your users when making this decision. By following best practices for effective button design and testing your design with real users, you can create an intuitive and user-friendly interface that meets the needs of your audience.