What is Web Interface?

What is a Web interface?

Websites, devices, programs - they are becoming more complex and functional year after year. At the same time, even inexperienced users do not have any difficulties in interacting with them. Such results can be achieved, among other things, by improving web interfaces. What is hidden behind this term? Where are such interfaces used? What are their distinctive features?

General concept

Every active Internet user checks their mail every day, goes to social networks, city and federal news portals, orders goods. Few people think about the algorithms and principles of website operation, while they are based on web interfaces.

Several years ago, to perform routine actions, it was necessary to download and configure specialized software. For example, it was created for writing and sending emails, simple text messages. Now there is no need for it, an Internet connection is enough.

The basic function of the interface is the convenience of interacting with the site, using all its capabilities, adjusting the settings if necessary. For the successful implementation of this function, all controls must be interconnected, and their purpose must be intuitive, without complex study. The balance between beauty, simplicity and functionality is important to the user - this is what designers and developers should strive for.

Elements

Any web interface, regardless of the specification, consists of the following components:

• Navigation menu. It contains elements that allow you to quickly get to the main sections and functions. As a rule, it is located at the top or on the right, in the most accessible areas.
• Keys. Clicking activates a certain operation, calculation, transition to a page, launch of a video or music track, sending a message, permanently deleting a letter or moving it to the trash.
• Input forms. Special fields for specifying text information. For example, when registering on a site, a visitor will be asked to specify a name, password, email, mobile phone number.
• Information blocks. As a rule, they indicate the most relevant, significant data, for example, urgent messages about failures that need immediate elimination.
• Icons. Used instead of a text description of functions and categories. This approach simplifies perception, makes the design fresher and more modern.

Examples

The spread of Internet technologies contributes to the active spread of web interfaces. Without them, it is impossible to imagine online stores, banking sites, online education and training platforms, various portals where you can make an appointment with a doctor, order public or private services, which requires filling out many forms, specifying personal data.

Development of web interfaces: basic principles

When creating a web interface, you need to take into account a lot of factors, however, the following principles are primary:

• Accessibility. Overload is unacceptable, because of which the user begins to get confused, cannot understand the graphic and text elements, understand their true purpose. Developers should take into account that applications are often used not only by people who know all the intricacies of interacting with a computer, but also by inexperienced people, so everything should be clear on an intuitive level, without complex instructions.
• Adaptability. It is important that the display of all elements is correct on all devices, not only PCs and laptops with large screens, but also on smartphones and tablets. A similar requirement applies to the operating system, stable operation is important on all OS, from Android and iOS to Windows and Linux.
• Interactivity. Dynamic elements make interaction with a web application more lively and interesting, attract the visitor's attention, and help to retain it.
• Loading speed. All elements should load as quickly as possible. This is important to save not only the user's time, but also traffic, which is limited on many mobile phone plans.
• Beauty. It is more pleasant to use a beautiful web interface, it helps to create a positive impression of the site and the organization as a whole.

How to create a web interface?

First of all, developers should understand the needs, requests, expectations of the target audience. Based on these inputs, the optimal structure and style are selected. It is good if it not only takes into account the client's wishes, but also reflects the general concept of the site, the policy, and the principles that the organization adheres to. Such an approach enhances the positive impression. The further algorithm of actions is as follows:

• Preparing the layout. Several layouts should be prepared, different in style, arrangement of elements, in order to choose the most convenient and functional option.
• Developing the visual part. Fonts, icons, images, menu colors and other areas - everything should be in harmony so that the web interface is perceived as a complete, organic.
• Testing. After combining all the elements into a whole, you need to check how convenient it is to actually interact with the application. If necessary, improvements and modifications are made.

Both programming languages ​​and ready-made CMS act as tools for creation. In most cases, a CMS is enough, however, unique platforms, programs with special functions require appropriate interfaces developed from scratch, thought out in terms of the convenience of the structure, visual design, functionality.

Development Prospects

The development of web interfaces can be easily traced by the change in the design of sites. Just a few years ago, they were overloaded with text, looked rather rough, did not allow you to navigate at first glance, understand the categories and functions. Modern platforms look much more elegant, clearer, it is easier and more pleasant to work with them.

If we talk about current trends in improving interfaces, they consist, for example, in the introduction of “dark themes” that reduce the strain on the eyes, allow you to save battery power on portable devices, the use of artificial intelligence in the form of chatbots and voice assistants, virtual and augmented reality technologies that allow you to remotely “try on” clothes by placing things on your photo.

Author of the article:

Editor-in-Chief

Danaev Almaz