Why You Can't Fix Stupid when It Comes To User Interface Design

Internet users are inherently lazy. How do I know this? Because I'm an internet user and I'm lazy. When it comes to user interface design, you have to make it simple and clear. Why? Because if a user has to work for it, they will probably just leave your website. So, you have to build a website for the "lowest users." Why? Because you can't fix stupid.

I remember a couple of years ago there was a problem with users asking 2 minutes after their registration why they couldn't log in to the website. It clearly stated on the registration form that their registration would be reviewed and someone would reply after X number of business days. The client asked me to add a field that was a required field that said "I understand it will take X business days for the registration to be approved." We also changed the text to red to help users understand that the process required a person to review the application before they could log into the website. It couldn't be done any other way. Within 20 minutes of that change going live someone emailed in asking why they couldn't log in? It was about 5 minutes since they registered and they had checked the required box saying they understood that the application had to be approved before they could login. Lol

I don't blame the user. We don't want to read. Especially when it comes to semi-long forms. But the little details can sometimes make a big difference when it comes to website conversions, happy customers and reducing the amount of customer service that you have to provided.