Last time I wrote in this newsletter, I talked about selecting the right tech stack for your startup (spoiler: it depends!). We touched upon the concept of technical debt – the accumulation of poor practices and decisions that can haunt your product’s development journey. Why is this relevant? Because, after all, our ultimate aim is growth: more users, more interactions, more features. So, as you may notice, developing digital products is undoubtedly hard, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Yet, amidst this complexity, I consider two crucial keys that can enlighten your path: performance and accessibility.
Performance: The Engine of User Experience
Users demand instant gratification. Nowadays, it’s unimaginable to wait more than three seconds for a page to load. This way, performance optimization is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Every millisecond counts. Ensuring your digital product loads swiftly, responds promptly to user interactions, and functions seamlessly across various devices and network conditions can spell the difference between user retention and abandonment.
Accessibility: Inclusivity by Design
Accessibility ensures that our products are usable for everyone, from a teenager to an elder person, or from someone with visual impairments to someone with auditory ones. Accessibility isn’t an afterthought; it’s a fundamental right. By incorporating accessibility features such as keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and alt text for images, you make your product usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities or impairments.Not only does this foster inclusivity and diversity, but it also expands your potential user base and market reach.
If this is overwhelming, let’s go back to basics: W3C (World Wide Web Consortium, a non-profit organization to develop web standards) has their Web Accessibility Initiative Tips where you can find maps, guidelines, and examples on how to implement accessibility standards.
If you’re interested in improving your user experience, I suggest you listen to this episode from Lenny’s Podcast with Judd Antin (exdesigner for Facebook and Airbnb) where they talk about UX Research nowadays.
Why Performance and Accessibility Matter for Startups
Happy users are loyal users. By prioritizing performance and accessibility you foster trust and build long-lasting relationships with your customers. Remember, as you navigate the complexities of digital product development, focusing on performance and accessibility isn’t just about meeting standards; it’s about creating a great experience for users. Your dedication to these principles not only drives growth but also shapes a more welcoming digital landscape for everyone.
