Digital literacy is still a tough subject. Yes, the times are changing but it's a gradual process and some generations and individuals are still adapting to maneuvering their lives through the digital age.
That falls directly on how well you design your digital products to expect low digital literacy. At the end of the day, people should be able to use your products regardless of their backgrounds or tenure working with digital products. As most things are turning into online services, these platforms have a serious duty to keep it simple and easy to use even for people who are completely new to online systems.
Simplify how you navigate
Yes, some sites are complicated and some processes are worse. But what makes it a good product is that people can use it without having to jump over hoops and hurdles. Navigation should always be a key point to address as this is how you move through the product/site/service. Less jargon, less complex levels, and more simplified steps go a very long way in converting a new user to a retaining customer.
Use Clear and Visible Buttons
Buttons should be easy to see and understand. They should be large enough to click on comfortably and clearly labeled with simple instructions. For example, instead of a button that says "Submit," consider using "Send" or "Next." This makes it clear what action the user is taking. Also, ensure that the buttons are in a consistent location across different pages, so users always know where to look.
Minimize the Need for Typing
Typing on digital devices can be challenging, especially for users who are not tech-savvy. To reduce this burden, provide options like drop-down menus, checkboxes, or buttons that allow users to make selections without typing. For instance, when entering a date, use a calendar picker instead of requiring users to type the date manually.
Provide Visual Cues
How it looks plays a vital role in how much you wanna use it. Visual cues like icons, images, and transitions can do so much to keep the user's attention and also to simplify the process from start to end. It's as simple as using a shopping cart icon for the 'check out' option or a magnifying glass for the search button. Smaller things that add quality of life for the user aspect.
Offer Step-by-Step Guidance
There's always a limit to how digestible you can make your site. How you can assist more is by providing clear step-by-step guidance. Add helpful information that one would read to understand how the process works what places to check or even the buttons to click. The "How-to" guides certainly go a long way when it comes to making your site require less digital literacy.
Provide Immediate Feedback
When users interact with a digital product, they should receive immediate feedback on their actions. For example, if a form is filled out correctly, a green checkmark might appear, while an incorrect entry could trigger a red warning message explaining the error. This kind of real-time feedback helps users understand what they are doing right and where they might need to make changes.
Design for Accessibility
Accessibility is another key factor. Users with low digital literacy might also have other challenges, such as vision impairments or motor difficulties. Make sure your design is accessible by including features like screen reader compatibility, high-contrast color schemes, and keyboard navigation options. These features help ensure that all users, regardless of their physical abilities or digital skills, can navigate your product effectively.
Test with Real Users
Finally, it’s crucial to test your design with actual users who have low digital literacy. This helps identify any pain points or confusing elements in your design. User testing can provide valuable insights into how your design performs in real-world scenarios and where adjustments might be needed to improve the user experience.
Transitioning to the Digital Age: Expect Low Digital Literacy
As we are moving more into the digital era, it should be understood that digital literacy, especially in the case of elderly people, still persists at a low level. Most people are still at the stage of adaptation, so it is vital to develop products that are straightforward and comprehensible to them. By setting the bar in such a way that little digital technology is used, we can create tremendous user experiences for all people" - through more inclusion and accessibility.
Conclusion
When you design most sites, low digital literacy users take up the majority of the audience you aim for. So, there should be a lot of steps to be taken to make sure they can actually use the services you are offering. How to make it happen is by simplifying your complex services to an easily digestible cluster of steps you can navigate through even easier. Accessibility is everything and this reflects directly into inclusivity and better audience targeting. Availability regardless of technical expertise!