A splash screen also known as boot screen/load screen is an intro which appears while a mobile app is loading. It is designed for enhancing user experience while an app is in process of the boot which usually takes a few seconds to complete. The splash screen contains attractive designs or business logo along with multiple animations. It turns out that these launch screens are directly responsible for creating the first impression of your app on the users. Their purpose is not only to hide the loading time, but they also contribute to keeping the users engaged while the app is opening. A well-designed splash screen can easily provide a brand recognition to your application as well.
Before creating the splash screen for your app, there are certain essential factors you need to keep in your mind. Here are some of the tips and suggestions that will surely help you to create a splash screen which results in impressing users positively.
1. Splash screen size does matter, manage it
Splash screens are different for variable screen sizes. Now-a-days every smartphone comes with different screen dimensions, so the screen size analysis has become the basic requirement before making a splash screen. The type of the Smartphone and its screen are the two important factors to consider while choosing a splash screen.
For instance, if you use boot screen of older smartphone model in a newly launched one, it will hardly get proportioned with the new device and leave the users with distorted or poor experience. Google and Apple provide few guidelines for appropriate screen sizes to ensure that your app UI perfectly adept with all devices. These tips could be used for the creation of an effective splash screen.
2. Experiment with different designs, but keep it simple
While designing splash screen, your aim should be gathering user’s attention through it. Make it witty rather than an ordinary screen with long text on it. As it will stay for a few seconds, the user won’t have time to read it. Instead of using text, keep your users engaged with some creative approach. Keep composition of images and animation clear in a single portrait image that too in the center. It keeps the edges free from all the sides, and you can crop it for whichever dimensions you require them.
3. Show off about your Brand’s Awesomeness
Earlier, displaying a logo or business theme was the major way of conveying the message to users and even for the brand enhancement. However, now a splash screen does the job for you in a really appealing and visual manner.
Designing a great launch screen with interesting visuals for your visitors can be a major way to improve user experience, which will ultimately benefit you. Apple and Google also provide guidelines for developing responsive and interactive app UI to improve customer’s experience.
4. Inform user, the app is loading
When it takes time to load application, the splash screen without any animation appear like your app is stuck. Users may think their smartphone got hanged. It disappoints users as they remain unaware of loading progress till the app really opens. Especially, when it comes to eCommerce mobile apps, the high load time may cripple some conversions. This when an engaging splash screen can help you out.
Booting time of an app can vary a lot depending on the user’s device. Therefore, to assure your users, you should mention loading text on the screen. I would suggest a progress bar can be a more suitable option in that case. The user can wait patiently if he/she is being notified about the process.
Do not put any advertisement or promotional content on your splash screen. It takes away the user’s interest from the application and leaves a commercial business impression on your app.
5. Entertain users while the app launches
There are few apps which take time to load due to their complex functionality or heavy size. For instance, some large-sized gaming apps often load slowly. Displaying just a logo or an image wouldn’t be a great idea then. Along with the app loader, using some witty or creative graphical approach could be more responsive in such cases.
Thus, if your app is taking more than 10 seconds to load, try to use some riddle or collage or even videos related to your app theme. It will keep the user engaged with your application.
Final Words
The seemingly negligible aspects like creating the app icon and splash screens can actually make your app extraordinary from a basic application. Mastering them isn’t a tough row to hoe. You just need to be more creative and consider the above-discussed facts before developing them. Your app splash screen should be as per your brand’s point of view. Thus, in this overcrowded environment of mobile apps make a responsive splash screen and knock out your first impression on visitors.