How to build products for non-desk employees👷🏻♂️
Digital products have become an essential part of modern workplaces, helping companies to streamline operations and increase productivity. However, when it comes to building digital products for non-desk employees because of their work environment and age there are some unique challenges to consider.
Since 80% of the global workforce is deskless I believe that the level of digitalization in this sector will probably only increase in the next years. I’ve successfully delivered projects for companies from this category so here are a few key considerations for building products for non-desk employees based on my experience😉
1. Understand the specific needs of non-desk employees
Non-desk employees, such as those in manufacturing, construction, and retail, have different needs and challenges than those who work at desks. For example, non-desk employees may have limited access to power outlets or Wi-Fi and work in environments with varying noise and lighting levels. To build digital products that will work well for these employees, it's important to understand their work environment.
2. Make it easy to use your product on mobile devices
Non-desk employees are more likely to be using smartphones. To make it easy for these employees to use your product, make sure that it is optimized for a mobile device. Even though tech people are usually Apple fans do not underestimate Androids which have over 70% share of the global mobile market. You must ensure that your app will work even on older smartphones which is crucial for the adoption.
3. Inclusive design
I can write a separate post based only on this, but it is essential to remember that in many cases your end-user will be an older person who is not tech-savvy. Having that in mind you should:
- Set a font size larger than standard (or give it that possibility)
- Provide high contrast in the app,
- Avoid a large amount of content on the screen, and if possible, break content into smaller pieces,
- Use captions next to icons and graphics,
- Use whitespaces between objects, i.e. white spaces, which increase the readability of the page,
- Limit the number of animations - they may be incomprehensible to an older person,
- Limit gesture controls in the app - usually, older people are unfamiliar with it.
Simplicity is key when creating digital solutions accessible no matter of age of the user.
4. Focus on offline functionality
Non-desk employees may not always have access to a reliable internet connection. To ensure that your digital products can be used in these situations, make sure they have offline functionality and can store data locally. This way, the employees can access and use the product even when they're not connected to the internet.
5. Pay attention to the language (for non-English)
When English is not a first language for your user never use technical jargon which is mostly in English. It won't be noticed by someone from Gen Z. However when you say the same thing to a senior at best, there will be a question about the meaning of those words. At worst there will be frustration and unwillingness to further cooperation.
6. Clear instructions
Taking that in mind, older people are very meticulous in reading instructions and following them. All additional resources like hints, FAQs, and product advice can be helpful in mobile and desktop applications. Older people often read instructions thoroughly and appreciate resources like instructional videos and animations. A simple video with voice-over can effectively explain a process and be viewed by multiple users, reducing the need for additional explanation.
7. Test, test, test
To ensure that your digital products meet the needs of non-desk employees, it's important to test them with real users. Gather feedback, act on it and iterate as necessary, this will give you a better understanding of how your product is going to be used and if it's addressing the problem it's supposed to solve.
By considering these considerations, you can build digital products that will be well-suited for non-desk employees and help them be more productive and efficient in their work.
Do you have experience working with those end users? What are your thoughts?
