Nielsen heuristic · Nielsen's Heuristics
Match the real world
Use words, concepts and order that your users already know.
See it
Spot the problem
Why it matters
Speak the user's language, not the engineer's. 'TTL purge on idle WS sockets' means nothing to most people. Try 'Disconnect when inactive'.
How to apply it
- Write labels in your customer's language
- Test copy with people outside your team
- Order information the way users think about it
Common mistakes
- Internal jargon and acronyms
- Engineering terms in settings
Quick answers
What is Match the real world in Nielsen's heuristics?
Use words, concepts and order that your users already know. Speak the user's language, not the engineer's. 'TTL purge on idle WS sockets' means nothing to most people. Try 'Disconnect when inactive'.
How do I apply Match the real world in UI design?
Write labels in your customer's language. Test copy with people outside your team. Order information the way users think about it.
What are common mistakes with Match the real world?
Internal jargon and acronyms. Engineering terms in settings.