A Smart App Only Really Works With a Smart User Interface

Smart technology is great, but without a good User Interface it goes nowhere

Many organizations invest in smart apps to make processes better and faster. Think of apps built with Power Apps, Mendix, Qlik dashboards, or custom software. But even the technically best app achieves little if users don't want to use it.

In practice, we often see the same pattern:

• Screens are unclear
• Important functions are hard to find
• Simple actions require too many clicks

The result? The app doesn't get used. Processes grind to a halt. Users go back to Excel or other 'shadow IT', which is a shame, because the problem usually isn't the technology, but the design.

UI and UX: an inseparable duo

A good User Interface (UI) is more than a nice-looking screen. It ensures that users understand the app and can use it comfortably. If the interface is unclear, the User Experience (UX) suffers too. And that affects the success of the app.

At E-mergo, we believe: an app only really works if users can use it with ease and confidence. And that starts with a well-thought-out User Interface.

What does a good UI deliver?

A smart UI helps your organization in several ways:

1. Faster adoption
A clear UI helps users switch to the new app more quickly. They understand what they need to do and need less explanation. This is especially important in places where there's still little digital experience.

2. Fewer errors, less support
A well-thought-out UI helps users make the right choices. Think of clear buttons, logical flows, and error messages. This prevents mistakes or confusion and reduces the burden on support departments or key users.

3. More efficient work
The fewer clicks, the faster you get from A to B. A good UI shows you where you are in the app and what your next step is. That saves you time every day.

4. Better user experience = higher satisfaction
When an app works pleasantly, appreciation for it increases. This translates into a more positive attitude toward digitalization in general, which in turn helps with the acceptance of future improvements.

5. Future-proof apps
A consistent UI makes your app easy to adapt. Adding new features or onboarding new users then goes faster and with fewer mistakes. This is a major advantage, especially within platforms like Power Apps or Mendix.

In short: a good UI isn't a nice-to-have, but an important part of a successful app.

UI design in low-code: more than drag & drop

With the rise of low-code platforms such as Microsoft Power Apps, Mendix, or OutSystems, you build apps faster. But a common misconception is that “low-code” equals “low-effort UI”. Fortunately, we're seeing clear improvement there.

Fortunately, these platforms increasingly offer good options for UI design:

• Standard buttons and fields for a recognizable look
• Better support for mobile use
• Themes for a consistent style
• The option for customization when needed

Most platforms nowadays offer plenty of options to design the UI using visual building blocks. If you want something extra, you can often still add styling with CSS or other custom solutions.

The good news: that's usually not necessary. With the standard options in low-code tools, you can already create a surprisingly user-friendly and professional app, as long as you make the right design choices.

At E-mergo, we combine knowledge of low-code platforms with UX design. Using design tools like Figma, we first create a design. That way, you can already show, test, and discuss the UI and UX before you start building your app. This prevents a Power App or Mendix application from being technically sound but visually lacking.

Involve the user from day one

You don't build a good app alone. You develop it together with the people who work with it every day. They know where the bottlenecks are and what could be better. With a prototype in Figma, you can easily show and discuss the design of an app.

This also works well when improving existing apps. Watch how people use the app, ask questions, and test together. That way, you jointly create a design that really works in practice.

No full rebuild needed

At E-mergo, we help organizations make their existing apps smarter. Often, there's no need to start completely from scratch. With small adjustments to the UI, you can already improve a lot. Think of:

• Fewer screen switches
• Clearer buttons
• Better navigation
• Visual consistency

We call this: getting more out of what you already have. Or, as we like to put it: “pimp my app”.

Conclusion: the user determines success

An app can be technically perfect, but if users don't find it pleasant to use, it doesn't work. Fortunately, low-code platforms make it easier than ever to combine technology and usability, provided you give the UI the attention it deserves.

Want to know whether your app's UI properly connects with the user? Or are you curious how you can make your existing apps smarter? Feel free to get in touch with us. We're happy to think along with you about improvements that deliver results right away.

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Written by Wilco Groenendijk,
Low-Code Developer