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India is undergoing a digital revolution, that much is clear. From Bengaluru’s bustling tech parks to the growing startup ecosystems in Cities like Indore and Coimbatore, there’s a surge in demand for well-designed digi-products—apps, websites, SaaS platforms, and more. But in a saturated market, only the best products stand out.
So what separates an average design from a jaw- dropping one? Here are 9 expert tips to elevate your digital product design and create an unforgettable, jaw dropping user experience.
In India, diversity isn’t just about language—it's about devices, literacy levels, internet speeds, and cultural expectations. Before sketching the first wireframe, talk to your users. Understand their behaviors, frustrations, and motivations.
For example, designing for a farmer in Maharashtra will differ greatly from designing for a 20-something MBA student in Mumbai. Tools like Google Forms, Typeform, and in-person interviews (in local languages) are invaluable.
Use WhatsApp or Telegram to reach rural users—they're often more responsive there than via email or apps.
With India having over 1.2 billion mobile connections and mobile accounting for nearly 75% of internet traffic, mobile-first design isn't a luxury—it's the default.
Ensure your designs are responsive, lightweight, and optimized for touch. Avoid heavy animations and graphics that might not load well on budget Android phones or in low-network zones.
Design for 4-inch screens with slow internet first. Then scale up.
India has millions of users with varying literacy levels and abilities. Adding features like voice navigation, large tap targets, regional language support, and alt text for images can make your product inclusive.
Consider apps like Koo, which succeeded in part by offering regional language experiences. In essence, proving that the broader your accessibility, the bigger your user base.
Use high-contrast colors and readable fonts. Test with real users from different backgrounds—not just urban English-speaking testers.
Consistency is key to building trust. Whether it’s a government app like UMANG or a startup app like CRED, design systems ensure visual harmony and reduce confusion.
Adopt popular frameworks like Material Design or Ant Design to maintain coherence across your product. Build a custom UI kit if you’re scaling fast.
Create Figma libraries for your team—buttons, colors, typography, components—all in one place.
Your user might lose signal, switch SIMs, or have limited storage. Anticipate and design for such realities.
Ensure your app runs smoothly offline (if possible), displays error messages gracefully, and uses cache to load content quickly. Use progressive enhancement to ensure the core experience works even if advanced features fail.
Show a friendly error message in the user’s preferred language when something breaks—it builds empathy.
That tiny animation when you swipe, the haptic feedback when you complete a task, or the celebratory confetti after a milestone—these microinteractions make your app memorable.
Apps like Swiggy and PhonePe nail this by adding personality through delightful yet purposeful animations. But remember: moderation is key. Too much can slow down or annoy users.
Use motion to guide, not distract. Test on low-end phones to ensure it doesn’t lag.
Only a fraction of Indians are fluent in English. A large chunk of users prefer Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, or other regional languages.
Make sure your UI accommodates longer words, right-to-left text, and non-Latin scripts. Don't just translate—transcreate. This means adapting content so it’s culturally relevant.
Use tools like Lokalise or Phrase for managing multilingual content effectively.
Even the most elegant designs can fall flat if they don’t work for users.
Conduct usability tests across different user segments. Use platforms like Maze or UserTesting, or even record sessions (with permission) to study how real users interact with your product.
In India, low digital literacy can make user behavior unpredictable. Watch how users complete tasks, what confuses them, and where they drop off.
Always beta test with your “non-techie” relatives. If your uncle in Patna or cousin in Kochi can’t use it, revisit your flow.
Trust is a huge currency in India’s digital ecosystem. Users are wary of scams, especially in fintech, health, and e-commerce apps.
Use design elements like secure icons, clear CTAs, upfront permissions, and visible contact information. Keep onboarding transparent. Don’t hide fees or ask for sensitive data without explanation.
Apps like Razorpay and Aarogya Setu built trust through clean, transparent design.
Show real testimonials, secure payment badges, and use a familiar tone in your copy.
India’s digital product landscape is fast-evolving, competitive, and full of opportunity. Your design choices, however, will make or break the product.
By focusing on empathy, inclusivity, and real-world constraints, you can craft experiences that not only look great but solve real problems.
So before you ship that next update or push a new feature live, ask yourself: does this design resonate with the people I'm building for?
If the answer is yes, you're on your way to delivering jaw-dropping quality.
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