No matter the app you are going to develop is a complicated system to include various features or just a simple app to satisfy the basic needs of the users, it still should be thoroughly planned. It is not easy to decide what to start with, the difficulties may appear on the stage of defining the scope of features needed, and app screens design.
Thus, a business owner should understand that regardless of the complexity of the project, there are some features of any mobile app that are basic and essential, and some other features may be crucial for particular types of apps.
This article will put in a nutshell all the necessary information on what screens are basic for any app and for your app in particular. We will define the 10 basic types of screens for the apps and tell about a few more as a bonus.
So, what are the screens that may be found in any app?
1. Splash screen
A splash screen is the screen shown while an app is loaded. It is the screen to make a first impression of your product or service, so take care of it being remembered by the user. Usually, this screen design includes the logo of the company, its name or slogan placed in the middle of the screen.
Splash screen by Manoj Kumaiya
However impressive the screen is, make sure the app loads quickly and users don’t have to look at it longer than 4-6 seconds, otherwise it may annoy them.
2. Home screen
This screen is the starting point of the user journey. There are three main aspects of any home screen — it represents the idea of the product, the features of the app, and reveals the general flow and possible paths for the user to go.
The design of such screens varies a lot depending on the type of app, still, the most important thing to remember — it includes the features to be right at hand.
The menu is often added to the home screen as a part of it, or designed as a separate screen, depending on the app needs and complexity.
3. Log-in screen
Most of the modern apps require a user to create a personal account, this makes a log-in screen basic for them since the possibility to sign up and login is the first step to get on board. Thus, a log-in screen is crucial for the vast majority of the apps — it gives access to most of the features of an app.
Login screen by Cadabra Studio
The thing to remember for this app screen design is the less activity log-in process requires, the less annoyed users are, so do not ask them to make a lot of steps on this stage.
4. Profile screen
Once the user logged in, they make their presence in the app highly personalized. That’s when the profile screen appears — as a place to store personal information. The important issue here is keeping this screen easy to understand and intuitively clear without overloading it with information.
Profile screen by Cadabra Studio
5. Settings screen
Quite an important screen for apps with a high level of customization. This screen allows a user to be in control of the situation — it must be simple, clear but contain everything potentially needed for the user to feel in charge of aligning the app with their preferences.
Settings screen by Prakhar Neel Sharma
So, there are five basic types of mobile app screens that you definitely have to include in your product. Except for them, there are also some popular types of screens, but not always must-have, and the screens typical for some particular kinds of apps.
Further, we are going to name the optional but frequently used types of screens.
6. Onboarding screens
These screens are aimed at presenting the app to the user, its features, and how useful it may be. The onboarding screen has to explain the user the benefits of the app.
Onboarding screen by Cadabra Studio
There are various ways of conducting the onboarding, it mainly depends on the type of the app and the character of communication with the user you would like to establish.
The idea trending now for this type of applications screens design is the animated onboarding that makes all the features clear and tangible.
7. Calendar
It is not so obvious, but let’s think about planners, event apps, travel apps or even feature of scheduling a message in the messenger — none of them can do without a good calendar screen.
Calendar screen by Cadabra Studio
The only general requirement for the calendar — it should align with the aims and design of the app screens.
8. Map
As well as a calendar, it may be surprisingly useful for the apps of brick-and-mortar business, delivery services, transport, and travel apps — whenever knowledge of a location is necessary.
Despite the fact that there is an option of collaborating with third-party services for it, it may be cool to make your own stylish map for your app design needs.
9. Conversational screen
Chat screens are basic for any app that has traits of the social network. Also, they are quite useful for customer support goals — not only a real operator may answer users’ questions, chatbots are so popular now that there is a high chance for every app to have this screen in the near future.
Conversational screen by Ramotion
10. Terms and conditions
In case you are working with the personal information of the users or working conditions of the service provided should be clearly defined — this screen is worth developing to avoid some of the users’ questions and even legacy issues.
Terms and conditions screen by Flyphant
So, there are five more types of screens you may need to include in your app. As it has been mentioned, there are also some types of screens basic for particular apps. For example, social media are impossible without feed, music players without playlists and the player itself. Remember, we promised a bonus?
As a design and development studio, we are often involved in the development of various e-commerce projects. Of course, all of them are different and have special features, but our expertise allows to share a list of the most important e-commerce screens.
For various e-commerce projects, there is a basic set of screens:
— Catalog
What’s on offer? No matter what you are going to make a profit of, the catalog will show customers the set of products/services on offer.
Catalog screen by Cadabra Studio
— Product card
A screen to give a detailed description of the position on offer. Be careful it has a place for all the potentially needed information.
Product card screen by Cadabra Studio
— Search
Sometimes this feature is included in an app as a part of the catalog screen. If you want to provide a detailed search or some special opportunities, it is worth designing a screen for it.
Search screen by Cadabra Studio
— Filter screen
A screen to help those users who know what they are searching for. The thing to remember — a filter and sorting are different, but both are highly important.
— Basket
Usually, this screen is similar to the catalog — the list of the services or products users would like to buy. Make sure these items are easily manageable since users may want to delete or change something.
— Check out
The most important part of this screen is the screen with the methods of payment — it has to be clear and transparent. All the possible ways of payment and delivery have to be considered.
These 16 basic types of screens are worth to be known by not only designers but also business owners and the users of the apps. Can you think of some additional types of screens crucial for the app you would like to develop? Tell us!
