When it comes to designing a website or app, user experience (UX) is often overlooked. However, neglecting UX can lead to disastrous consequences. In this article, we'll dive into five surprising statistics that highlight the importance of prioritizing UX in your product development process.

The Power of 5: A Simple yet Effective Approach

Did you know that just 5 users are enough to find 85% of usability problems? According to Jeff Sauro of MeasuringU, this conclusion was obtained using a mathematical model based on binomial probability known as the Poisson Distribution. The probability of encountering an error for each participant in a test is 31%. This means that instead of investing in large-scale testing, you can achieve significant results with smaller, more focused studies.

The High Cost of Ignoring UX

Developers spend half their time fixing bugs, which not only delays projects but also adds to the overall cost. A study by Rogue Wave Software found that 50% of a developer's time is spent trying to fix errors during software development. Similarly, researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that 49.9% of programming time was spent debugging. This translates to an estimated $312 billion spent on debugging alone globally.

The Cost of Delaying UX Testing

When issues are left unaddressed until later stages of development, costs skyrocket. According to Roger Pressman, problems in development are 10 times more expensive to fix than during design. By investing in early usability testing, you can avoid bad user experiences and save time.

The Impact of Poor User Experience on Ad Revenue

Poor user experience with ads has led to the proliferation of ad blockers, with an estimated 420 million people worldwide using them. This results in revenue losses for publishers, with a projected loss of up to $35 billion by 2020. To avoid this fate, focus on creating a seamless user experience and prioritizing relevant ads.

The Mobile Experience: A Must-Have

In 2019, the number of mobile phone users is expected to reach 4.68 billion worldwide. This means that if your website or app isn't mobile-friendly, you're missing out on over 60% of the world's population. By prioritizing a great mobile experience, you can attract and retain more customers.

In conclusion, investing in UX testing early on can save time and resources, while also improving user satisfaction. By understanding these five surprising statistics, product managers can make data-driven decisions to maximize app user experience and drive business success.