If you work with design, development, or digital products, you need to read Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug. Even though it was first published in the early 2000s, its lessons are more relevant than ever.
Good interfaces don’t make us think.
Below, I share the key takeaways from the book — simple, practical principles that can radically improve your users' experience.
1. Don’t make me think
When users open a site or app, they want to act fast. If the interface requires mental effort just to understand how to use it, something’s wrong.
Great interfaces are invisible — they guide users without them even noticing.
2. Nobody reads. Everyone scans.
Let’s face it: users don’t read. They scan, looking for visual cues — keywords, buttons, icons.
So:
- Use clear headings;
- Highlight what matters;
- Avoid big blocks of text.
3. People go with “good enough”
Users don’t analyze every option. They pick the first thing that looks like it’ll work — a behavior known as satisficing.
Don't expect your users to be detectives. Make the right option obvious and easy to find.
4. Conventions are your friends
It’s not the time to reinvent the wheel. Design conventions exist because they work.
Blue links, trash bin icons, search magnifying glasses — they already have meaning.
Using familiar elements reduces friction and builds trust.
5. Clicks aren’t the problem. Effort is.
Don't stress over the number of clicks — stress over how hard each click is.
A few easy, clear steps are better than one confusing shortcut.
6. Navigation should be obvious
Users should always know:
- Where they are;
- What they can do;
- How to go back.
Good navigation is like a reliable map — it keeps users oriented and confident.
7. Test early and often
Krug makes it clear: you don’t need a fancy lab to do usability testing.
With just 3 to 5 users, you’ll uncover most of the major issues.
Test early, test small, fix fast.
8. Cut the clutter
Every unnecessary word or element is one more thing that gets in the user’s way.
Eliminate:
- Generic promo language;
- Words that don’t help users act;
- Redundant explanations.
Other valuable lessons
Your homepage should immediately explain what your site does;
Avoid fluff and filler language;
Accessibility matters — make your design usable for everyone, including people with disabilities.
Conclusion: usability is empathy
The most powerful lesson in Don't Make Me Think is this: Usability is about respect — for the user’s time, attention, and mental energy.
The best design disappears. It just works.
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