How to Create an Outstanding Mobile Banking App Design

Today, technologies have taken digital banking to the next level. Mobile banking has become a part of everyday life; we see why: it’s easy and time-saving. Isn’t it great to manage your finances anywhere at any time? Statistics show that 6 out of 10 mobile users prefer finance apps over websites. Therefore, users expect you to provide them with a high-quality experience. Exceptional banking app design can help you meet their desires. We’ll discuss how you can create a successful mobile banking app, so keep reading!

There are some essential principles designers and developers should remember while creating banking software. The functionality of the bank app design plays a critical part in the customers’ overall impression. Let’s continue with the key features of a mobile banking app.

• Adaptability. Mobile banking apps can be accessible not only from phones. Customers use them on tablets and smartwatches as well. However, the functionality may differ on various devices. For instance, users are more unlikely to perform complex transactions on their smartwatches. Moreover, the screen resolutions are different, so the amount of readable information will vary. Creating an adaptive design and making unique layouts for every gadget is crucial.
• Simplicity. Fintech apps contain loads of complex data, which increases the need for a simple design. Minimalistic patterns help users concentrate on the app better, and, as a result, you are in a profitable position. Do not overload the app’s interface and put only the essential content. Make the navigation easy to understand so that users won’t feel confused. Additionally, the simple design is aesthetically pleasing, which draws customers’ attention.
• Intuitive design. Users expect your app to be familiar; thus, they can use it intuitively. Use straightforward and predictable design patterns to achieve it. This way, customers can get to the point quickly without any complexity. Include elements widely used in other applications so that users subconsciously know how to act. The intuitive design saves time, which benefits both you and the user.
• Customizable design. Your customers use the banking app for personal purposes, and each has different preferences. Offer customizable designs to meet their needs. Let users choose the home screen, the features they will use more frequently, the background color or picture, or the app’s appearance. Remember not to overwhelm the interface, as it might affect the functionality of the user experience. On a side note, users should be able to keep crucial features at hand. 

We offer mobile app design services for your banking application. 

A well-designed banking app provides a range of features that make it easy for users to manage their finances, make transactions, and access important account information. Some challenges may occur, but overcoming them is a great opportunity for corresponding users' needs.

• Smooth onboarding. It’s the process of guiding users through the app and helping them set up their accounts and preferences. A well-designed onboarding experience can improve user engagement and retention. Explain the benefits of using the app, such as convenience and security. It’s essential to show your brand’s values here.
• Real-time notifications. This feature helps users stay informed about their account activity and prevent fraud. Only send notifications for important account activity, such as large transactions, low balances, or unusual activity. Too many notifications can be overwhelming and lead to user confusion.
• Management tools. These features simply help users control their finances. You should include tools such as budgeting, savings, investment, payment, credit score monitoring, and financial education tools. Comprehensive design helps silence make informed decisions in this case. 
• Goal-oriented features. Goal-setting features allow users to set financial aims. To help them deal with it, consider tools like progress tracking, automated savings, and cashback features. Moreover, you can provide personalized recommendations for how to achieve their goals efficiently based on their spending habits and financial situation.
• Budget insights. This data allows clients to understand their spending habits, identify areas where they can cut back on expenses, and achieve their financial goals. Budget tracking features help users set monthly or yearly budgets for different expense categories and track their progress toward those goals over time. The insights should be presented in a clear and easy-to-understand format, such as graphics or charts.

Read also: How to Create Banking Web Design?

Customers want a satisfying experience in your app. You can help them acquire it with a fulfilling UI design. Look at some ideas below.

Trendy appearance

Visuals are critical for making an excellent first impression. Appealing UI design keeps customers interested and engaged. Minimalistic bank application design brings a professional and precise image to users. Choose a color scheme that represents your brand’s identity the best.

Besides making your app look aesthetically pleasing, follow the latest fintech trends. Here’s a list of what you can add:

• Gamification,
• Centralization,
• Data visualization,
• Personalization.

These features can add zest to your mobile banking app. 

You may be interested in UX Design for Banking.

Helpful tips

Creating an intuitive bank app design takes effort. Users need time to understand the app's working principles. As we mentioned, a good onboarding experience can encourage it. Implement a few essential tips but don’t overload users with the content. Explain only critical parts that help customers with an effortless app experience. As a result, your clients will scroll through the app intuitively, and you’ll avoid misunderstandings.

Cards instead of lists 

Converting long lists of options into cards in the bank app UI design will help the app’s readability. Create icons with symbols that draw users’ attention quickly. Organize opportunities so customers can easily guide themselves through the banking app. The cards make options more visible, which helps users to find the desired feature faster. 

This approach allows the development of more enhanced navigation, as they will be organized in a hierarchical structure. It's critical to ensure the cards are consistent in size and layout, with clear and concise information displayed on each one.

Engaging illustrations

Illustrations can take many forms, from 3D graphics to photos. They allow you to enhance the uniqueness and personality of the mobile banking app. It’s a great practice to increase brand recognition and set the mood. Develop authentic illustrations that can perfectly reflect your establishment. This way, users will be engaged with the app and trust your brand more. 

Consider creating animations as they bring designs to life. Make smooth screen transitions and chart animations so users can be involved in the application better.

Look at the illustration design services we provide.

The development of a mobile banking app takes a decent amount of time. Follow the next steps for a productive workflow.

Set the goal

Setting a goal you want to achieve with your mobile banking app clarifies the designing process. Let’s see how you can make it productive:

• Stakeholders interviews. Conduct surveys among your employees to specify the problems you want to solve. The discussions can help you understand clients more accurately. Stakeholders may also tell you about technical obstacles that appeared in the way. Analyze the pain points, so the designers can suggest how to solve the issues.
• Product audit. UX audits are relevant if you already have a design that needs to be improved. When is it better to perform a UX audit? Your mobile banking app design may need to be updated, you face a low conversion and high bounce rate, or you often get user complaints about usability.

Read also: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Conduct a UX Audit.

Conduct research

Research helps you meet customers' needs. There are some ways you can discover this part:

• Competitor’s analysis. Look at your competitors to understand better what to upgrade in the user experience. Collect valuable information to benefit from future design improvements. Analyze the marketing strategies of each competitor, including their branding, messaging, and advertising campaigns to help identify areas where the app can differentiate and be appealing to users.
• Target audience. Exploring your target customers is the best way to meet their requirements. As a result, you’ll come up with a user-friendly solution. You can create user personas for a precise analysis. This way, you’ll see your ideal clients and their desires. For example, it may come in handy if you want to know what banking app features they consider essential and which ones they don’t use.

Once you have identified the user goals, prioritize them based on their importance and frequency of use. Focus on the most significant users' goals and ensure they are easily accessible within the app. Purposes may change over time as user needs and business objectives evolve. Continuously refine and update the app goals to ensure they are aligned with the latest needs and trends.

Create user journey maps

User journey maps illustrate the user flow on your banking app, starting with the initial discovery and continuing with the process of commitment to the platform. One of the ways to perform this piece is to work out the user flows. It allows designers to understand the logic of user actions and define their sequence. In such a manner, you can predict possible scenarios. 

Similar to the process of the journey maps are creating sitemaps. It enables you to comprehend the information hierarchy of the mobile banking app. Sitemaps help structure pages and content in the app that users should follow. 

Read our article on How to Make a Customer Journey Map.

Build the wireframes

At this step, designers establish the layout and flow of possible design solutions. This stage shows you the early design sketches of how your banking app will look like — wireframes aid in developing user-focused product prototypes. 

Eventually, designers develop the final prototypes, which you test and validate ideas with the stakeholders. It is critical to predict possible downsides, as they may affect overall app usability. The solutions flow into the final design. 

See A Concise Guide on How to Make a Wireframe For an App in our blog.

Designing such a complex platform takes effort. Your main goal is to create a functional and customer-oriented app that helps users solve their problems in the fastest amount of time. To provide a superior mobile experience, qualitative UX/UI design is a must. As a result, both sides benefit from it. Remember, that design can make an impression on the overall bank institution. 

Gapsy will provide you with a professional design solution. Check our portfolio and contact us whenever you are ready. You can also have a look at all the services we deliver. Be sure our team will make your platform stand out from the crowd!