Web Design | 26th July 2019 By

What is Jakob’s Law?

The Essence of Jakob’s Law

Jakob’s Law states that “Users spend most of their time on other sites. This means that users prefer your site to work the same way as all the other sites they already know.”

The Power of Standardization

Chances are, the last few websites you visited had their company logo in the top left corner, clickable to return to the homepage. This isn’t mere coincidence; it’s a design standard. Deviating from such norms requires a compelling reason, given how they shape user expectations.

Leveraging Existing Paradigms

Jakob’s Law encourages us to leverage these existing mental models. By standardizing key elements, we can create a user experience that feels intuitive because it aligns with what users already know.

The Risks of Poor Design

A poorly designed site can disrupt this user-brand synergy, potentially severing the relationship altogether. However, adhering to Jakob’s Law doesn’t mean your site has to be a carbon copy of others. The challenge—and the art—lies in innovating while still speaking a design language that users understand.

Psychology of Design:
What is Hick’s Law? (2/7)
What is Miller’s Law? (3/7)
What is Jakob’s Law? (4/7)
What is the “Serial-position effect”? (5/7)
What is the Zeigarnik Effect? (6/7)
What is the Halo effect? (7/7)