More options leads to harder decisions.

<aside> ℹ️ Hick's Law predicts that the time and the effort it takes to make a decision, increases with the number of options. The more choices, the more time users take to make their decisions.

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Remember that Hick’s Law is a guideline you can adapt to your design. Always try to “flip” the perspective to see the choices you want to present from the outside.

Avoid flooding with options, but bear in mind the balance between users’ time and comfort zones for handling options on a page. Guiding them to select between clear options that will get them somewhere quickly (such as a shopping cart) will take the work out of the user experience and reward you both.

• Find an area where you have a lot of options or a lot of repetitions.
• Try to either reduce the number of options or find ways to hide items. (Do they all need to be displayed at once? Progressive Disclosure )
• If you can't minimize the options, try to put them in an easily skimmable order and make sure the items are familiar; else, it won't work

Key takeaways

Hick's Law reminds us that more choices aren't always better. In health & fitness, simplifying choices can lead to better user engagement.

• While offering variety is essential, it's crucial to strike a balance to avoid overwhelming users.
• Health & Fitness apps can use Hick's Law to guide users more effectively towards their goals by minimizing decision paralysis.
• By understanding the balance between choice and decision- making, fitness platforms can create a more user-friendly and effective experience.
• The efficiency of decision-making is paramount, especially in domains where daily choices, like workouts or meals, can cumulatively impact one's health journey.

Resources

🔗  What is Hick’s Law?

🔗  Redefining Hick’s Law

🔗  Page Conversion Rate Optimization