Ever since Siri, Alexa, Cortana, Google Assistant, and other VUIs (voice user interfaces) have come into existence, the silence between man and machine has been broken and has reshaped how users may approach their devices. But what does this mean for the companies providing these devices? Is it worth investing in a VUI? And how does this all connect with UX (user experience) design?
In this article, you will get to read about the role of VUI in UX design!
What is voice user interface design? Meaning and definition
Before delving deeper into the subject, you should know what user interface design is. In a nutshell, a voice user interface design makes it possible for people to interact with an application or a device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.) with the use of speech and voice commands, instead of traditional interfaces like a touchscreen or a mouse and keyboard.
The increased use of screens for work and leisure has led to a widespread “screen fatigue” among many users who look for every bit of an opportunity for a little “digital detoxing”. This has been especially prominent during quarantine periods in the recent Coronavirus pandemic with activities like board games and gardening receiving a noticeable boost in popularity.
Of course, smartphones, smart TVs, video game consoles, and apps are just as present as ever in the daily life of people. New user needs stemming from screen fatigue and technological advances have also led to the birth of new ways to interact with digital devices: voice user interfaces.
What is the connection between voice user interface design and UX design?
What you should also know about voice user interface design is that it is one of the many services provided by UX design agencies.
UX stands for user experience. It is a process that focuses on improving the overall “feel” of a website, application, or any other digital platform, by making it as easy and enjoyable to use as possible. In the digital age, this not only comes with a lot of benefits to your business, but it has also become a prerequisite.
Even if some users don’t know what UX design is exactly, they will be expecting an enjoyable user experience. For example, if your website doesn’t load fast enough, or your application is overly complex in its structure and makes it hard for users to understand, they are bound to look for other similar options amongst your competitors.
Voice user interface design is another method to improve the user experience of a digital product and leave a lasting impression on your potential customers. If handled well, it can lead to increased brand loyalty, brand credibility, not to mention increased conversions.
In a nutshell, a good UX design (whether it incorporates voice user interface design or not) is a win-win scenario. It makes it easy for your users to find the info or product they need and helps you to achieve your business goals.
What are the advantages of applying a voice user interface design to your digital product?
Here’s what makes voice user interface design an attractive option in the eyes of most users:
- It’s easy to use: not everyone gets along with the traditional way of using technological devices. For some, requesting a task via voice command is much more practical than typing: any user can use his/her voice to make requests.
- It’s faster than typing: Nowadays, users want to find the best solution in the fastest way possible. Any method that helps speed this process up is welcome and asking a question via voice command is much faster than typing it in a search engine.
- It’s a hands-free solution: Even if some users are accustomed to typing or for whatever reasons have concerns about voice user interface design, voice user interface design also has situational benefits. Essentially, it allows users to multitask much more easily, at any time when they are away from their devices, such as cooking or cleaning.
- No need to look at your screen: As previously mentioned, any solution that alleviates screen fatigue is welcome for many users. It is also very practical during situations like driving, allowing you to focus on the road rather than your device.
What does a voice user interface design project look like at a UX agency?
A UX agency employs experts from different fields in order to create a user interface design that provides an enjoyable user experience for your target audience. This VUI team usually includes software engineers, copywriters, usability experts, linguists, and of course, AI experts. The process also includes mapping out the needs of your users to create a tailored experience that is in line with their expectations.
You can also find out more details about the process of a voice user interface design project by clicking on the ergomania.eu link.
