Much is said about the importance of the recoverability of errors online, and how frustrating it can be for users when they cannot simply backtrack a step or two without losing all their data. Unfortunately, many websites still fail to make error recovery as seamless as it should be for the user.
Relating this to UX, error recovery is about ensuring that users have a clear path to correct mistakes without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. The ability to go back and adjust, whether through a simple “undo” button or a clear error message with actionable steps, is essential. Think of an online form where users can review and edit entries before submission. When things go wrong, whether it’s a wrong email address or a mischosen option, the system should support the user by making error correction easy and intuitive.
Over the phone
Some things are so routine that we don’t think twice about them until they go wrong. Take, for example, when you are giving someone your telephone number over the phone. You say a part of the number, wait for them to repeat it back to you, and then continue with the rest. Each time, you validate that the other person has correctly understood you.
This simple, common action helps avoid miscommunication and errors. In UX design, this is a valuable lesson: validation before finalising actions. Just as repeating parts of a phone number helps to avoid mistakes, validating user input through small steps like confirmation pop-ups or showing what the user has typed is essential for creating clear and effective user flows. The user should always be aware of the status of their actions, whether that’s confirming a password, making a payment, or submitting a form.
In a Restaurant
The same principle applies when you’re at a restaurant, and you place your order. The waiter then reads your order back to you before leaving your table. This is a simple practice, but it’s effective because it ensures the order is correct. However, what happens if the waiter doesn’t read your order back to you? You may end up receiving the wrong food, which can be frustrating.
This real-world experience can be tied back to UX design, where confirmation and feedback loops are just as critical. When users complete an action, such as submitting an order or filling out a form, they need confirmation that their action was successful or an opportunity to correct it before final submission. In digital design, if users don’t receive clear feedback or validation, they can end up making mistakes, just like receiving the wrong order in a restaurant.
How I notice these things in everyday life
The more I pay attention to the world around me, the more I realise how user experience principles are embedded in our daily interactions. From validating information over the phone to double-checking orders at restaurants, there are small but significant actions that prevent problems before they arise. In UX design, we can learn from these real-world practices to create smoother, more intuitive experiences for users.
In every interaction, whether it’s confirming an order or reviewing a form submission, the focus should be on anticipating and addressing potential errors. Clear validation, feedback loops, and recovery options ensure that users don’t feel lost or frustrated, and can always easily correct mistakes.
Anticipation in UX design
Anticipation is another key element that I often notice in everyday life. In the examples above, the process of repeating information or confirming details before finalising an action is about foreseeing potential issues. In UX design, anticipating where users might make errors or where confusion could occur is crucial for creating a seamless experience. It’s about designing with the user in mind, preventing errors from happening in the first place, and providing easy paths for recovery when they do.
When you design for anticipation, you’re thinking ahead, much like how waiters and phone operators confirm details before finalising their actions. Whether it’s through auto-correction in forms or adding confirmation screens in a checkout process, anticipating user needs and potential errors can create a more confident and pleasant user experience.
Conclusion
By noticing how these small but important actions play out in the real world, I’ve come to appreciate just how valuable these principles are in UX design. Error recovery, validation, and anticipation are not just digital concepts; they are part of our everyday interactions. By observing and learning from these, we can design better, more intuitive systems that put the user in control and help them feel confident throughout their journey.