Less is More

Less is More

People want more! They want everything bigger and better than the last. They want bigger iPhones, higher tax returns, more ice-cream, larger muscles… But is bigger really better?

There is such a thing as too much. Adding excessive weight to your app is not only unhealthy (figuratively speaking) but it’s weighing your app business down. Instead, add things that matter to your customers. Things that are relevant and useful.

Take Facebook as an example. They have way too many features on that social network. Aside from your everyday News Feed, Messages, and Timeline; there are a plethora of things you may not know you can do with Facebook. The platform is loaded with integration tools, marketing, apps you can create and so much more.

Facebook engineers are eager to give us access to all their new functions to keep us hooked, but are they simple enough for the average user? They’ve added all this weight but don’t have the discipline to slow down or slash away at some of the irrelevant lumpiness. Facebook isn’t very good at adhering to the KISS principle of design (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Apple is a great example of keeping it simple.

That’s been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains. — Steve Jobs

When your app becomes too bogged down with unnecessary features, users will begin to abandon your app and flow over into the arms of your competitors. People use apps to solve a problem they are facing, and when you start to add things that take away from that, then they begin to lose interest.

Narrow down your platform to In-N-Out size. The famous burger joint that has three items on their menu, and then some, but their main menu is simple. For years they haven’t tried to do more, and yet cars are still lined up around the corner for a tasty burger and fries. Make it simple for your users.

Less is more!

Robert Patrick

[email protected]

Founder & Chief Architect Robert ("The One") started writing software at 12 years old, and founded PhD in the 1990′s at the age of 18. His philosophy is that working hard/playing hard, honesty and pursuing your true passion will lead to success and happiness.

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