Add3, Content
February 16, 2023
6 min reading
Usability in Web3 needs to change fast. These new technologies are transforming the way we interact with the digital world. But, despite their significant potential, blockchain tech faces a major challenge: poor usability. Many users struggle with the complexity and frustrating user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) of these systems. In order to see mass adoption, we need a significant improvement in how easy it is for users to adopt blockchain tech.
If you’ve ever tried to use a DeFi platform, dApp, or even open a wallet, you know what UX is like in Web3. It’s usually so confusing that most people don’t even try. Decentralized platforms are great for security and privacy, but interfacing is a nightmare.
Many users struggle with navigating basic functions, and intuitive instructions and tutorials are few and far between. If you’ve never complained about confusing interfaces, slow transaction times, and tedious user flows, you haven’t used Web3. These challenges discourage people from wanting to use platforms, even in important situations like moving coins off an exchange.
It’s easy to say we should expect poor UX and IU at such an early stage. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be changing quickly. After all, a focus on user experience was created after the internet already existed. Luckily for crypto, all of these principles and standards are already used – we just need to implement them.
Another argument for why UX remains cumbersome is the complex nature of the underlying technology. That and a priority on security makes it challenging to create user-friendly interfaces. But all of those things can and should be overcome.
One of the reasons usability in Web3 suffers in any application is because you need both builders and designers. When they’re all working together to emphasize the user’s experience, a great product gets built. But, today, there’s a shortage of talent in the Web3 space. If the ecosystem can simplify building on the Web3 tech stack, designers and UX experts can more easily dive in.
Creating no-code tools and platforms can help improve usability by opening the door for nontechnical builders to join the space. No-code tools allow nearly anyone to create projects, tokens, and more without having to write any code. They are accessible to designers, admins, web2 product teams, and web2 devs entering the blockchain world. Making building in the crypto ecosystem faster and easier will speed up UX/UI improvements.
No-code tools offer several benefits for Web3 and cryptocurrency. They can speed up the development process, making it easier and faster to launch and user test new products. They also allow for greater collaboration and experimentation, as non-technical team members can participate in the development process. Plus, no-code tools can help to democratize access to these technologies, making them accessible to a wider range of users.
Any founder building in the Web3 or DeFi ecosystem has to juggle multiple things. First and foremost, the project has to function. That means having talented blockchain and smart contract developers. It also means collaborating and integrating with other dApps and platforms. That’s a huge job in itself. But it can’t be the only focus.
If the Web3 world really wants to rebuild and replace the current internet, usability needs to be a focus. Until Web3 features and functionality is as easy to use as Apple products, the masses won’t adopt the technology. Some mainstream companies like Starbucks are trying to implement blockchain tech in their platforms, which is a step in the right direction. But it also needs to get done natively.
The blockchain world can’t wait for Web2 companies to come in and drive all the usability. To maintain its decentralized nature, security, and functionality, crypto natives should start valuing user experience just as highly.
None of this is to disparage what the Web3 community has already built. Every technological innovation has to start at the beginning of the evolution process. And project founders are slowly but surely starting to implement better usability in Web3. That’s a good sign.
Platforms like Add3 are taking a very familiar Web2 experience and creating highly valuable Web3 functionalities. These are the projects we need more of. When people begin using Web3 but they don’t even realize they’re using it – that’s when mass adoption will skyrocket. It’s on the horizon and some incredible projects are picking up steam. Being in the crypto space at such a seminal time is exhilarating. We’re watching the future get built right in front of us.
