Day 51 - Dark Patterns - "Sneak into Basket"

Not all design is good design.  Some websites and apps are downright deceitful the way the try to trick their users. Learn to recognize dark patterns but don't use them.

One dark pattern is called the "Sneak into basket" technique.
The sneak into basket approach is used in eCommerce when a user attempts to buy a specific item. Somewhere in the customer's purchasing workflow the site sneaks an additional item into their basket often through the use of an opt out button or check mark on the previous page or below the fold.

Some dark patterns such as "sneak into basket" are now even illegal in the UK.

When up-selling or cross-selling additional products, services, or features to your users, be open about it.

Day 20 - Don't Be Evil in Your Designs

Persuasive techniques in UI, marketing, design patterns, & experience that are created to benefit companies more than their customers are evil.  Don't create user experiences at the expense of your customers. Don't spam, link bait, or trick your customers.

Here are just a few examples of what NOT to do. So be a good design citizen!

1. Implementing dark patterns is bad. A dark pattern is a type of UI that appears to be carefully crafted to trick users. Don't be deceptive in your designs.
2. Do not bury or intentionally hide your contact info (including your phone number) on your product or site so as to avoid speaking directly with customers.
3. Don't use fear tactics in your value proposition to get people to buy your product. "You need this because if you don't 'X' will happen..".
4. Don't hide disclaimers away from the "happy path" flow of product purchase i.e. tell your customer something is one price to get them to purchase then charge the customer with other hidden fees or hidden commitments.
5. Do not disguise ads as links to content.
6. Don't constantly bombard users with ads.
7. Don't require users to opt-out of a service or feature they didn't want, after you've automatically opted them in without their consent. Be clear up front before they sign up for your service.
8. Refusing to cancel or refund a user's money after having not delivered the service you promised them is bad.  Don't do that.
9. Don't sell people on products or services you cannot deliver.