The importance of micro-interactions on a website

Hover over a button and see an animation... Behind these invisible details, or almost, there is a well-thought-out mechanism: micro-interactions. Present everywhere on the web, they make the experience more fluid, intuitive, and pleasant. But what exactly are they for? Why have they become important aspects of UX design?

WHAT IS A MICRO-INTERACTION?

A button that changes color when you hover over it. A green checkmark that appears when the user creates a password that matches all the requested criteria. A progress bar. A carousel of images. A pop-up box that appears when a symbol is clicked.

These are all examples of micro-interactions. In other words, they are subtle interactive design components that provide information or feedback to the user, while enriching their experience on the site. Their mission? To subtly guide the visitor to accomplish a specific task, without weighing down their navigation.

They can be used in all digital products, such as websites and mobile apps. The possibilities for interacting with your audience are numerous!

WHY INTEGRATE MICRO-INTERACTIONS INTO YOUR WEBSITE?

Micro-interactions perform several key functions that help enrich the online experience. Well integrated, they enhance the quality of your site while facilitating navigation.

They improve the user experience: one of the goals of a micro-interaction is to make navigation more fluid and intuitive. It is used to guide the user in accomplishing a specific action. With clear instructions, it simplifies the steps of the user journey and helps them to get through the conversion funnel without unnecessary obstacles. It is also particularly useful when it offers real-time feedback. For example, if the user tries to submit a form without filling out all the required fields, a micro-interaction can immediately alert them to missing information or erroneous items. This feedback should be easily noticeable, whether using a visual, audible, or haptic signal.

• They increase engagement: Another of the goals of micro-interactions is to keep the visitor interested in your content. As they improve the user experience and make it more interactive, they have the impact of encouraging the user to explore your website more. For example, they can animate a button at the right time or move a component when you hover over it. They also help complete a task by showing the status of a task. For example, a progress bar clearly shows where the user is in the process, motivating them to finish what they started rather than giving up along the way.

They improve the functionality of the site: micro-interactions play an essential role in navigation. They allow the user to have a better understanding of what is happening on the screen and to guide them by providing precise, contextual information. For example, a form field that lights up red when it contains an error saves the user from having to figure it out problem themselves: the user knows right away where the problem is coming from. The result: a smoother, more intuitive experience... and a more functional site. However, you need to make sure that they are well optimized in order to maintain a fast-loading speed. Too many micro-interactions or heavy animations can hurt your site's performance, especially on mobile. Finding a balance is therefore essential!

• They strengthen your brand image: it can be easy to get carried away by all the possibilities offered by micro-interactions... But beware of missteps! Every micro-interaction should reflect your brand's personality and values. If your tone is warm and friendly, you can opt for colorful or humorous animations. If your image is more serious or minimalist, go for understated and elegant micro-interactions, such as a discreet underline when hovering over a link or a fluid transition between two sections. Either way, the goal remains the same: to create a consistent and memorable experience for your visitors.

HOW DO MICRO-INTERACTIONS WORK?

Micro-interactions take place in four stages.

• The trigger: This is how the micro-interaction is initiated. Sometimes, it's the user who triggers it by clicking a button or scrolling down the page. Other times, the system automatically launches it when certain conditions are met. For example, a pop-up may appear after the user has spent some time on the site or moved their mouse away from the page.
  
  

• The rule: this is the action that will occur once the trigger is activated. It must have a logical continuity with the latter. For example, if the user clicks on a speaker icon, they expect to hear a sound. The rule can therefore be to start a song or start the audio playback of a text.
  
  

• Feedback: This is a visual, audible or haptic signal that informs the user of the result of their action. For example, the appearance of a thumbs up after clicking the "Send" button on a contact form confirms that the message was delivered.
  
  

• Loops and modes: these parameters determine how the micro-interaction behaves. They specify the duration of the animation, what happens if the user repeats the action like clicking the same button multiple times, or if the interface changes based on a state like turning on dark mode, or if a confirmation page opens after a task is completed.

 Much more than just animations, micro-interactions play a fundamental role in the perceived quality of a website. They accompany the user, reassure them, and encourage them while strengthening your company's brand image. When well thought out, they transform a mundane visit into an engaging and memorable experience. By carefully integrating them into your interface, you do more than decorate your site: you invest in its performance, fluidity and, above all, the satisfaction of your visitors.