User focused interface design and intuitive navigation experience are keys to the success of any product.
What is a web application?
Simply defined, a web-based application is software delivered over the Web that performs more complicated tasks than just collecting or retrieving information.
A web application might be a traditional client-application (contact management, accounting) or a service (Online banking, investing) or an automated approach to activities traditionally handled "live" (customer service, product customization).
It might also function in an Intranet / internal organization network environment, not necessarily exposed to the world wide web.
User focused interface
Application interface design is not only a matter of applying a visual 'look and feel'.
It's about understanding user requirements, simplifing complex tasks and ensuring that the interface communicates the power of an application.
Frontend are uniquie in their extensive experience in developing complex application interfaces for OS, web, mobile and even Interactive TV.
What are the issues in designing web-based applications?
It is important to make sure that the user interface is expertly designed.
Good web-based application design comes from understanding what makes it different from both corporate Web sites and traditional client applications.
Web applications are different from traditional Web sites in many ways:
- More interactive - requiring constant user action and often more complex interactions than traditional Web sites.
- Used more intensively and more often -Traditional Web sites are often designed like ads or brochures - the intent is grab the user's attention. This is not appropriate for an interface users will be working with frequently, perhaps even daily.
- Users are willing to invest more time in learning to use the application - Traditional Web guidelines recommend against any functionality on a website that requires training the user. While the application should be as clear and easy to understand as possible, users want the functionality of the software and are more willing invest a little effort in order to get it.
Web applications are different from traditional client applications in many ways:
- User expectations - Users have come to expect to interact with Web sites in certain ways, such as one-click navigation and following underlined links. These conventions should be observed in applications as well.
- Access from anywhere - Users do not have to install the software application from a CD or a downloadable installtion file, as in the case of client application. They can access the application from many workstations at office or from their home workstation.
In most cases there is NO need to have the software installed on each workstation.
A security model has to be adapted in such environment applications.
- Delays in downloading - Users often multitask while waiting for information to download and may need to be reminded to return to the task.
