The Endowed Progress Effect describes the phenomenon that displaying progress on tasks are performed increases users' motivation and their willingness to complete a task. Displaying how far along you are in a process makes users feel supported and encourages them to continue, resulting in a better user experience.

Origin

The Endowed Progress Effect has been examined by various studies in the fields of psychology and human-computer interaction. A significant study was published by Nancy Duarte and her team in 2008, in which the effect of progress displays on the completion rates of web forms was analyzed. Their results showed that visible progress significantly increases the probability that users will complete the process.

  • Duarte, N., Arocha, I., & James, R. (2008). «he impact of progress indicators on form completion rates. Journal of Usability Studies, 3(3), 50–65.
  • Anderson, R. (1983). The architecture of complexity. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 127(4), 373–385.

Application in UX and UI design

In UX and UI design, the Endowed Progress Effect is a crucial element in improving usability and increasing conversion rates. Implementing progress bars or step-by-step indicators in processes such as registration, checkout or onboarding clearly communicates to users how far they have already come and how much still lies ahead. This promotes a sense of control and transparency, which increases the motivation to complete the process.

In addition, visible progress helps to reduce uncertainty and frustration by giving users a clear goal and showing them that they are on the right track. This can be particularly advantageous for longer or more complex tasks, as it reduces cognitive load and improves the overall user journey.

However, care should be taken to ensure that progress indicators are realistic and accurate. Unrealistic progress bars that move faster or slower than the actual process can undermine user confidence and lead to frustration. Critics also point out that visible progress alone is not enough to optimize the User Experience – intuitive navigation and clear communication are also essential.

A practical example can be found in e-commerce platforms, where a clearly visible progress bar in the checkout process encourages users to complete the purchase by showing how close they are to the end of the process.

Impact on the User Experience

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Further information