Keep in mind how important it is to make the interface obvious for users, not creating puzzles or mazes. Based on years of using various devices and other products, we have formed a certain expectation of how buttons look and function. A big deviation from what is considered “standard” will create a delay and confusion for users.

Don’t Make Me Think

Generally, you want to make the most commonly selected button the “default” (use primary styles) and put it in a focused state. This helps the majority of users finish their tasks faster and points them in the right direction.The exception is when all choices are equal, or action is particularly dangerous, in those cases, you want users to explicitly select the button rather than accidentally.

Sometimes there is no “default”

What your buttons say is as important as how they look. Using the wrong label can cause users confusion, loss of time, and possibly some big mistakes.A good button label invites users to take action. Best to use verbs, and label the button with what it actually does. It's like the button is asking the user — “Would you like to (Add to basket)?” or “Would you like to (Confirm order)?”. Avoid using Yes, No or labels that are too generic - like Submit.

Good button label invites users to take action

Disabled controls are used to indicate a component is currently noninteractive but can be enabled in the future. Disabled buttons are used because removing the button from its native location and revealing it in a later context could confuse users.

Disabled buttons suck

Buttons communicate actions that users can take. They are typically placed throughout your UI, in places like: Dialogs, Forms, Toolbars, etc. The distinction between buttons and links matters:<ul><li>Links are used when you’re navigating to another place, such as: “view all” page, “Roger Wright“ profile, etc.</li><li>Buttons are used when you are performing an action, such as: “submit,” “merge,” “create new,” “upload,” etc.</li></ul>

Buttons vs Links

Styles are primarily used to differentiate more important actions from less important ones. Create a hierarchy of actions that will guide the user where there are multitudes of choices. Usually, you can have a single prominent button(that style is often called “primary“), and several medium “secondary” and low emphasis “tertiary“ actions.

Styles communicate the importance of an action

Both are just choices, and designers can argue for hours about their preferences.<ul><li>Having OK action first supports the natural reading order. It may help to save some time if we know that most likely this is what uses will select. Windows puts OK first</li><li>Listing OK last improves the flow. Some may argue Ok as the next button will move the user forward. Putting OK last, help users evaluate all options before taking action, and help to avoid mistakes and rush decisions. Apple puts OK last.</li></ul>

Ok/Cancel or Cancel/Ok? Either is fine

<ul><li>Normal — communicates that component is interactive and enabled.</li><li>Focus — communicates that the user has highlighted an element, using a keyboard or other input method.</li><li>Hover — communicates when a user has placed a cursor above an interactive element.</li><li>Active — or pressed state communicates that the user had tapped on the button.</li><li>Progress/Loading —used when action is not performed immediately and communicates that the component is in the progress of completing the action.</li><li>Disabled — communicates that component is currently noninteractive but can be enabled in the future.</li></ul>

The button state communicate its status to the user

Consistency improves speed and accuracy, helps avoid errors. Create predictability that helps users feel in control and capable of achieving their goals in your product. When you creating primary, secondary and tertiary styles try to find some common elements like color, shape, etc. Try not only to be consistent inside your design system but be conscious about the platform you design for.

Consistency improves speed and accuracy

Gestures let users interact with the application using touch. Using touch as another way of performing a task can save time and give tactile control. As some gestures like swipe to trigger contextual actions, double-tap to like or long-press, being used more widely every day, they still are not very apparent for the average user.

Gestures become fairly widely adopted

Most common are rectangular buttons with rounded corners, that are easily identifiable and look good next to the input field. Choosing the right style for the button will depend on the purpose, platform, and guidelines. Here are some of the most popular style variations:

Buttons come in various colors, shapes, and sizes.

Pressing a button should be a simple task and if a user is unable to successfully tap on a button or in the process tap on a neighboring element by mistake, it will lead to a negative experience and loss of time.For most platforms, consider making touch targets at least 48 x 48 dp. A touch target of this size results in the physical size of about 9mm, regardless of screen size. The recommended target size for touchscreen elements is at least 7–10mm.

Make buttons large enough for reliable interaction

In order to design the right interactions, we need to look back at the history and origins of physical pushbuttons, a direct predecessor of the UI component so heavily used in all digital products…

Disabled buttons suck

Similar ideas to Disabled buttons suck

The future of confirmed action

The 7 Factors of User Experience

Watch Yourself from the Future