With the rapid development of the digital age, user experience (UX) has become one of the fundamental building blocks of modern technology. Today, individuals prefer digital platforms that offer the best solutions for time management and efficiency. UX design, which focuses on understanding users' needs and providing the most suitable solutions, has a broad impact ranging from business processes to daily life. So, what is UX, and how does its role in the digital world take shape?

Image 1: UX Wireframe

What is UX?

The term "User Experience" (UX) was first used in the 1990s by Don Norman while working for Apple (Sirk, C.). According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), UX is defined as "a person's perceptions and responses resulting from the use or expected use of a product, system, or service" (ISO 9241-210). UX design aims to offer the most suitable solutions by considering users' psychological, sociological, and demographic conditions.

The Impact of UX on Our Lives

User experience gained critical importance during the pandemic and became a cornerstone of digital transformation. The necessity of carrying out daily transactions through online platforms has made UX’s functionality and its effect on user satisfaction even more apparent. In sectors such as e-commerce, banking, education, and healthcare, applications with user-friendly and accessible interfaces have been preferred, once again proving the importance of UX with concrete data.

• E-Commerce and Grocery Applications: During the pandemic, applications such as Getir and Trendyol Hızlı Market achieved great success by prioritizing user experience. According to Statista's 2023 data, the number of users shopping for groceries online increased by 60% globally. In Turkey, Getir increased its user base by 150% during the pandemic and surpassed 1 million daily orders in 2020 (Statista, 2023). Features such as easy ordering, fast delivery processes, and intuitive interface designs have distinguished these platforms from their competitors, making them market leaders.
  
  
  Image 2: Trendyol Fast Market Application / Image 3: Getir Application 

• Banking and Financial Technologies: User-friendly mobile banking applications have significantly reduced reliance on physical branches. According to the 2023 report by the Banks Association of Turkey, the number of digital banking users has increased by 70% over the past five years. For example, banks like Kuveyt Türk report that 85% of their customers perform financial transactions through mobile applications (Banks Association of Turkey, 2023). User-friendly interfaces, AI-powered customer support, and fast transaction processes are the cornerstones of UX-focused banking experiences.
  
  
  Image 4: Kuveyt Türk Mobile Application / Image 5: Kuveyt Türk Mobile Application
  
  
• Healthcare Technologies: Platforms such as MHRS and e-Nabız have made access to healthcare services much easier. According to the Ministry of Health's 2023 data, the rate of appointments made through MHRS has increased by 85% over the past five years, while the number of e-Nabız users has exceeded 30 million (Ministry of Health, 2023). UX-focused designs have enabled patients to easily schedule appointments, view test results, and manage prescriptions, making healthcare services more efficient.
  
  

Image 6: MHRS Application / Image 7: e-Nabız Application

The Future of UX Design

UX design will become even more personalized and intuitive in the future with technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality (AR), and machine learning. Major companies are making significant investments in this field: 

• AI-Powered UX: In 2023, Google optimized UX with AI-driven updates to better understand user intent in search results (Google AI Research, 2023).
• Airbnb and UX Transformation: Airbnb increased its conversion rates by 30% by using AI algorithms to offer better-personalized recommendations to users (Airbnb UX Research, 2023).
• Tesla’s Use of UX in the Automotive Industry: Tesla invested in autonomous driving and intuitive screen designs to enhance user experience, increasing customer satisfaction by 40% (Tesla Annual Report, 2023). 

 How is the Impact of UX Measured? 

Various metrics are used to evaluate the impact of UX quantitatively

• Conversion Rates: A website or application with a user-friendly interface can increase conversion rates by up to 200%. For instance, Amazon’s "One-Click Purchase" feature is one of the best examples proving the direct impact of UX improvements on e-commerce sales (Baymard Institute, 2023).
• Bounce Rates: Poor UX can lead to bounce rates of up to 70%. Users quickly leave platforms due to complex navigation structures or long loading times. According to a study by Google, mobile pages that take longer than three seconds to load lose 53% of their visitors (Think with Google, 2023).
• Net Promoter Score (NPS): This metric measures the likelihood of users recommending a product or service to others. A high NPS indicates successful UX. For example, Apple’s NPS score is 72, above the industry average. Investments in UX directly impact brand loyalty (Forrester Research, 2023).

Conclusion

User experience (UX) is a fundamental element that ensures the effective and efficient use of technology. According to McKinsey & Company’s 2023 report, products with well-designed UX increase customer satisfaction by 35% and boost business revenues by up to 25%. UX is not just about aesthetics but a strategic approach aimed at understanding and meeting users' needs. In the future, UX designs supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning will further advance personalized experiences, optimizing user interactions with digital services.

References 

• Sirk, C. "The Godfather of UX: Don Norman and User-Centered Design." CRM.org.
• ISO 9241-210. "Ergonomics of Human-System Interaction - Part 210: Human-Centered Design for Interactive Systems." ISO.
• "Getting Started with Usability." WQ Usability.
• "Userspots: UX Design and Research." Userspots.com.
• "The Sociology of Getir." Başlangıç Noktası.
• Statista, 2023.
• Google AI Research, 2023.
• Airbnb UX Research, 2023.
• Tesla Annual Report, 2023.
• Baymard Institute, 2023.
• Think with Google, 2023.
• Forrester Research, 2023.
• McKinsey & Company, 2023.
• Image 1: https://www.shutterstock.com/tr/image-vector/logo-ux-sketch-draw-style-vector-277867241 
• Image 2: https://www.trendyol.com/s/hizli-market  
• Image 3: https://getir.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjfyqBhAsEiwA-UdzJHV7BR_HuXB21bfvVaaClNFrt4FlmNX7jdIlUsd9-YQhSsb4fJzjKBoCzjwQAvD_BwE  
• Image 4 and 5: https://www.kuveytturk.com.tr/  
• Image 6: https://www.mhrs.gov.tr/  
• Image 7: https://enabiz.gov.tr/