Main uses of icons in web design

Why use an icon on my website?

To describe features

There are a large number of websites that offer a service or product. Many of these products are digital and often involve a web or mobile application. It is important to mention the most notable features of such an application.

It is inevitable to use words to explain concepts. However, users might get bored seeing so much text. For this reason, it is a good idea to add icons to describe these functions and features. Not only do they add more variety to the section, but they also help reinforce the message and explain visually. This makes it much easier for the user to associate the icon with the concept and understand the described features or functions.

It can also be used to explain and divide the services that a certain company offers or to explain the phases of a process.

To indicate data to be entered

There are a large number of purposes that a web form can have, and most sites include at least one as a means of contact between the user and the company.

In certain forms, it is possible to find related icons. For example, in the email address field, the at symbol or an envelope icon will be added. Often, the icon is not enough, and to avoid misunderstandings, the related icon is placed on the right side of the field, while the type of data to be entered is added within the field itself.

The main objective is for the web form to be filled out quickly and easily. Adding both the type of data and an icon improves quick comprehension.

To improve navigation

In mobile applications, icons are used as part of the menu due to the limited screen space. It is also possible to use text for each menu item, but this is usually "hidden" through the hamburger menu.

Both text and icons are typically used in menus to avoid misunderstandings, but on certain web pages that divide their menu into a few sections, using icons can be ideal.

Icons help explain concepts visually and can also be used as distinctive elements, making it easier to locate a certain section of the menu. This strategy is often employed in web application control panels.

To control sliders

Image sliders are used on a large number of websites.

In some sliders, users are not given the option to go back to a previous slide. It is advisable to give users some freedom, particularly if advertising-style images are used. In these cases, arrows are usually placed on the sides of the images, although these icons can also be located at the bottom.

The popular "pause" icon can also be placed. This way, the user can carefully view a particular photograph without the need for the countdown timer that sliders typically have.

Conclusion

You probably use icons without realizing it, as they are a minimal element but have great power within an interface. Since every element you place in your interface can affect the user experience, it is advisable to know in which types of situations icons are used appropriately to avoid adding them in design sections where they cannot really be fully utilized.

If you are interested in having an up-to-date icon design and having our web design team at your disposal, do not hesitate to ask us for a quote.