Laws of UX
Jakob's Law
Users spend most of their time on other sites and expect yours to work the same way.
See it
Don't
- Cart moved to the bottom
- Logo centered with the menu hidden
- Search tucked into a corner
Do
ShoplySearchAccount🛒 2
Home / Shoes
Why it matters
Users spend most of their time on other sites. Logo top-left, search up top, cart top-right is what they expect. Novel layouts make people relearn.
How to apply it
- Use familiar layouts: logo top-left, nav on top, cart top-right
- Use standard icons and labels
- Innovate on content and value, not on basic navigation
Common mistakes
- Hiding desktop navigation just for style
- Renaming standard things like Cart or Contact
Quick answers
What is Jakob's Law?
Users spend most of their time on other sites and expect yours to work the same way. Users spend most of their time on other sites. Logo top-left, search up top, cart top-right is what they expect. Novel layouts make people relearn.
How do I apply Jakob's Law in UI design?
Use familiar layouts: logo top-left, nav on top, cart top-right. Use standard icons and labels. Innovate on content and value, not on basic navigation.
What are common mistakes with Jakob's Law?
Hiding desktop navigation just for style. Renaming standard things like Cart or Contact.