Common Small Touch Targets in Job Portal Apps: Causes and Fixes

Small touch targets are a common issue in mobile apps, including job portal apps, where interactive elements such as buttons, icons, and form fields are too small for users to comfortably tap on. This

Introduction to Small Touch Targets in Job Portal Apps

Small touch targets are a common issue in mobile apps, including job portal apps, where interactive elements such as buttons, icons, and form fields are too small for users to comfortably tap on. This issue is particularly problematic for job seekers who may be using their mobile devices to search and apply for jobs, as it can lead to frustration, errors, and a poor user experience.

Technical Root Causes of Small Touch Targets

The technical root causes of small touch targets in job portal apps can be attributed to several factors, including:

• Insufficient screen real estate: With the increasing amount of content and features being added to job portal apps, developers may be tempted to shrink the size of interactive elements to accommodate more content on the screen.
• Inconsistent design patterns: Inconsistent design patterns across different screens and features of the app can lead to small touch targets, as developers may not be following a standardized design language.
• Lack of testing on different devices and screen sizes: Job portal apps may be tested on a limited range of devices and screen sizes, which can lead to small touch targets on devices with smaller screens or lower resolutions.
• Inadequate consideration for accessibility: Developers may not be considering the needs of users with disabilities, such as those with motor impairments or visual impairments, who may require larger touch targets to interact with the app.

Real-World Impact of Small Touch Targets

The real-world impact of small touch targets in job portal apps can be significant, leading to:

• User complaints and negative reviews: Users may leave negative reviews on app stores, citing frustration with small touch targets and difficulty using the app.
• Low store ratings: Apps with small touch targets may receive low ratings on app stores, which can affect their visibility and download rates.
• Revenue loss: Job portal apps with small touch targets may experience revenue loss due to decreased user engagement and retention, as users may abandon the app in favor of competitors with more user-friendly interfaces.

Examples of Small Touch Targets in Job Portal Apps

Here are 7 specific examples of how small touch targets can manifest in job portal apps:

1. Small "Apply Now" buttons: The "Apply Now" button on a job listing page may be too small, making it difficult for users to tap on it.
2. Tiny filter icons: The filter icons on a job search results page may be too small, requiring users to zoom in or tap multiple times to select a filter.
3. Miniscule checkboxes: The checkboxes on a job application form may be too small, making it difficult for users to select or deselect options.
4. Small navigation menu icons: The navigation menu icons at the bottom of the screen may be too small, requiring users to tap multiple times to access a different section of the app.
5. Compact job listing cards: The job listing cards on a search results page may be too compact, with small touch targets for job titles, company names, and other details.
6. Inaccessible dropdown menus: The dropdown menus on a job search form may be too small, requiring users to tap multiple times to select an option.
7. Tiny social media sharing icons: The social media sharing icons on a job listing page may be too small, making it difficult for users to share job openings with their networks.

Detecting Small Touch Targets

To detect small touch targets in job portal apps, developers can use a combination of tools and techniques, including:

• Visual inspection: Visually inspecting the app's UI to identify small touch targets.
• Automated testing tools: Using automated testing tools such as SUSA (SUSATest) to identify small touch targets and other accessibility issues.
• User testing: Conducting user testing to gather feedback from real users on the app's usability and accessibility.
• Accessibility guidelines: Referencing accessibility guidelines such as the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines to ensure that the app's touch targets meet minimum size requirements.

Fixing Small Touch Targets

To fix small touch targets in job portal apps, developers can follow these code-level guidance and best practices:

• Increase the size of touch targets: Increase the size of touch targets to at least 44x44 pixels, as recommended by the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines.
• Use a consistent design language: Use a consistent design language throughout the app to ensure that touch targets are consistently sized and spaced.
• Test on different devices and screen sizes: Test the app on different devices and screen sizes to ensure that touch targets are accessible on all devices.
• Consider accessibility: Consider the needs of users with disabilities and design touch targets that are accessible to all users.

Prevention: Catching Small Touch Targets Before Release

To prevent small touch targets from making it into production, developers can:

• Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines: Integrate automated testing tools such as SUSA (SUSATest) into CI/CD pipelines to catch small touch targets and other accessibility issues early in the development process.
• Conduct regular user testing: Conduct regular user testing to gather feedback from real users on the app's usability and accessibility.
• Use accessibility guidelines: Use accessibility guidelines such as the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines to ensure that the app's touch targets meet minimum size requirements.
• Design with accessibility in mind: Design the app with accessibility in mind, considering the needs of users with disabilities and designing touch targets that are accessible to all users.