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Indicators are visual cues—like dots, bars, spinners, or progress lines—that show users something is happening in the app, such as loading, uploading, or switching screens.
Why It Matters
Why Founders Should Care About This Term:
- Boosts user trust by showing that the app is working, even during wait times.
- Reduces frustration and bounce rates by keeping users informed.
- Enhances perceived app speed and polish with better UX feedback.
Use This Term When...
- You’re designing user flows that involve waiting or loading.
- Reviewing wireframes or UI animations with your design team.
- Discussing performance optimisation and perceived speed.
- Testing usability or user satisfaction.
- Deciding how to handle delays in data fetching or processing.
Real-World Example
In one of our projects, we used loading indicators during checkout and product filtering. This helped reassure users that the app was working, which reduced cart abandonment and increased trust.
Founder Insight
Most founders overlook indicators until users start complaining about ‘slowness.’ But it’s not always the backend—it’s the lack of visual feedback. Smart indicators can make even slow processes feel faster.
Key Metrics / Concepts
- Perceived Performance – How fast users think the app is, based on feedback like indicators.
- Completion Rate – Percentage of users who finish a task (can improve with proper indicators).
- Session Duration – Can be influenced by frustration or clarity when indicators are absent or poorly designed.
Tools & Technologies
- Lottie – A library we use for lightweight animated indicators that keep the app smooth and modern.
- Shimmer Effects – Used in placeholder loading states to suggest progress.
- Skeleton Screens – Displayed while content loads to reduce perceived wait time.
What’s Next / Future Trends
AI is making indicators smarter—like showing estimated load times based on previous usage or prioritising important data first. Expect future apps to use predictive feedback that feels more human and responsive.
Related Terms
- Content Loading – How apps handle and display waiting times.
- Microinteractions – Small UI elements that offer feedback and enhance UX.
- UX Design – Design that focuses on usability, feedback, and flow.
- App Interface – The layer where users interact and visual cues are most critical.
Helpful Videos / Articles / Pages
Call to Action
Still unsure how indicators fit into your app strategy? Book a discovery call with our team — we’ll walk you through it.