UX Design: How to improve user experience with real data

Discover how data can transform UX design to offer more accurate and effective user experiences. Learn the best practices to make data-based decisions in the design of interfaces and optimise user satisfaction.

At CaixaBank Tech, our goal goes beyond creating visually appealing interfaces; we focus on designing functional and effective experiences that genuinely have an impact on every user.

To achieve this, data are our essential ally. Through analysis and monitoring, every design decision is supported by specific facts, allowing for a more accurate and effective experience.

How data guide UX design

Data provide us a solid framework that does not limit creativity, but enhances it. Instead of an obstacle, the numbers are a compass that guide us towards clear goals and measurable results. This combination of creativity guided by data ensures that every choice is aligned with tangible and measurable objectives.

The difference between what users say and what they really do

A basic aspect to understanding product design is what users say does not always coincide with what they actually do when they use applications. In interviews or surveys, users may express preferences or intentions that subsequently do not match their behaviour in daily use. Here is where monitoring the actual behaviour gains importance: observing and analysing what they do, beyond what they tell us.

This in-depth analysis enables us to make decisions based on facts and not only on perceptions. For example, a user may express that they find intuitive a certain workflow, but when monitoring them, we may see that they take longer and more complex paths to complete a task. This data helps us adjust and optimise the design in order to reflect the actual behaviour, not only the expectations.

Measuring the impact of each change: improvements based on data

One of the most exciting aspects of data-based design is seeing how each adjustment impacts user experience. Tools such as heatmaps, click analytics and churn rates allow validating our decisions and making adjustments in real time. These monitoring tools help us accurately adapt the design and focus on improving the user experience of each user segment and specific operations.

The power of data in design-based decisions

Design is often compared to football: everyone has an opinion! But when it comes to UX, opinions can drag on without a clear agreement. Here is where data comes into play, removing subjectivity and helping us make objective decisions.

Biases can be useful, but data provides specific and measurable data, resulting in a more effective design that is aligned with the user’s real needs.

Anticipating problems: identification of obstacles before they arise

Data also enable us to predict problems before they affect the user. By analysing patterns such as repetitive paths or waiting times, we can anticipate and solve potential frictions in the experience. If a form generates frequent errors or a task takes too long, data can help us intervene proactively ensuring a fluid and efficient experience.

At CaixaBank Tech, we are of the opinion that this cycle of continuous analyses and adjustments not only improves user satisfaction, but also drives innovation and ensures a positive impact.

The intelligent use of data enables us to optimise the experience in a single application as well as generate benefits and lessons applicable to future projects, thus becoming always aligned with our users’ actual needs.