Every app goes through various stages of the design process. The best apps have more detailed design processes, where the design team hones in on things like user flow. When you can create an app user flow in detail, you can create better experiences for your users. After all, it helps you to better understand the user journey.
Think of it this way: if you never actually use your app, you’ll never know where there’s friction. You won’t know if there are too many steps to achieve a particular action or where you can streamline things. Designing user flows means you can test all this before you even complete your design. This saves you time and money down the line.
Here’s a breakdown of app user flows and how to create them.
What Is a User Flow?
User flows are like maps. They show you where your users enter a digital product and how they progress through it. The idea is to see how they progress toward the eventual goal, be it for them or your business. In fact, design teams create literal user flow maps to visually demonstrate this process.
In the case of a mobile app user flow, there’s a particular emphasis on apps. So, the flow shows how users navigate between different interfaces and features.
User flows are similar to customer journey maps in many ways. Of course, they both show how a buyer goes from one stage to another. However, the customer journey is more holistic, focusing on everything from brand discovery to purchase. Meanwhile, user flows are specifically about interacting with a digital product. This may form a small part of the overall customer journey.
Designing these flows allows teams to improve the user experience. It means you can understand exactly what journey the user will take and then take steps to improve this path. This includes removing obstacles (like unnecessary steps) and optimizing each point on the map.
How To Create a User Flow
Now you know what one is, you need to learn how to create a user flow. User flow diagrams have some very specific features, such as shapes and symbols that mean specific things. In terms of creating the best mobile flows, though, there are several steps you need to keep on target.
1. Define the App’s Purpose
Before you even begin designing, you need to know why you’re creating your app. The product team should conduct thorough research to understand the goal. Who is your target audience? What problem are you trying to solve for them?
At this point, your goals can be broad. However, you should start to think about what functions you’ll implement in order to achieve it.
2. Research Your Users
The next step is more research. This time, it’s time to dive deep into your user base. Think about not only who will be using your app but when and where. For example, if you’re creating a transport app to navigate the subway system, it will need:
- A clean interface that’s easy to use in case the user is on a crowded train.
- Offline capabilities are available in case they lose a signal while traveling.
Thorough user research can tell you everything you need to know. That’s why product managers need to be skillful at research–try a few different methods to uncover everything.
3. Identify the App’s Key Features
At this stage, you can start to hone in on the specific user actions you need to develop. What are the key features of your app, and how do they differentiate you from competitors?
You can break this stage down even further by thinking about what tasks your users are trying to complete. Try designing a task flow for each of these goals, considering how your users reach different stages of the app.
4. Map Out the Basic Flow
Next, you can start to create basic user flow charts that help you visualize the map. You can use the following key to draw your chart:
- Rectangles represent a page or interface.
- Arrows show progression from one part of the flow to another.
- Circles show an action where the user must do something.
- Diamonds show decisions where the user can take different actions. There are multiple arrows from this point.
Your flow chart doesn’t need to be insanely complicated. However, it should provide a straightforward and clear visual.
5. Create Wireframes
Next, you can draw wireframes to represent each stage of the process. Wireframes are a rough visual representation of the interface, so you don’t need to include a lot of detail here. However, they can help you build out your flow and improve navigation. To do this, you need to understand the consequential order of each screen.
Each wireframe should include the navigational elements, CTAs, and inputs and outputs. You can also specify transitions with simple notations. For example, does the user swipe or tap to get to the next screen?
6. Test
Any UXer will know that testing is a vital part of the design process. So, you won’t be surprised to hear that testing is the next step!
Ideally, you should test continuously. Ask stakeholders about your initial ideas, test your flow with techniques like card sorting, and test your wireframes with users. Testing at this stage is highly encouraged. After all, it’s cheaper to return to the drawing board at this stage than it is later down the line. It’s better to know sooner rather than later if your ideas are working!
7. Design Each Screen
Eventually, it’s time to hand off to the design team to create the final product. Well, at least to create the prototypes. You can progress from basic wireframes to clickable prototypes and eventually to the real thing.
You’ll be adding colors, vectors, fonts, and more at this point, so make sure you consider the usability heuristics.
8. Iterate
Did you think the testing was over? Think again! You need to keep testing your product both before and after launch. Design is all about feedback, so try implementing a feedback loop. That way, you can keep improving your product as your users change, as technology changes, and so on.
Digital products are often living things, which means you can’t just hit launch and move on. Instead, you’ll need to work to fix bugs and adapt to new mobile updates.
App User Flow Examples
These three app user flow examples should give you a good idea of how to create your flow charts. Remember, every user flow for mobile app designs looks different, but these will give you a good starting point.
1. Mint
Mint’s mobile app flow design shows how it provides users with an easy onboarding experience. Banking can be complicated, so users want to feel secure. As a result, Mint offers users a simple product tour that shows them around the app.
This user flow template is great because it shows off those options. After all, some users might feel more confident from the get-go, so there’s no point showing them all the features.
2. Amazon
Amazon is fantastic at producing conversions, and its user flow is a part of that. Their user flow shows how they guide users through the flow to result in an eventual conversion.
Crucially, though, they start at the entry point and begin by checking out Amazon’s value. This value-first approach is why the e-commerce giant ships out 1.6 million packages every day.
3. Zoom
Zoom has a super simple user flow to start a call. This ease of use creates an awesome user experience that’s sure to delight any user. There’s no wonder it became the communication platform of choice back in 2020!
The entire process takes five clicks or less, which is ideal for helping the user achieve their goals. This is exactly why user flows can help with UX–just look at how simple this process is.
Find Mobile App Screenshots of User Flows and More
If you found the above examples helpful, then you’re in luck. You can find mobile app screenshots, user flow recordings, and more resources all at Page Flows. Our library can show you a huge range of interaction and UX design ideas. So, if you’re looking for inspiration for an app user flow, you can find it here.
Get started today to access our growing library of user flow recordings and finally stay up-to-date with current design trends.
