More choices slow users down, keep menus and options minimal.
Origin: From William Hick & Ray Hyman, 1952.
The Principle: The time it takes to make a decision increases with the number and complexity of choices.
- Minimize Options: Reduce cognitive load by offering fewer primary actions.
- Categorize: Break complex tasks into smaller steps in order to decrease cognitive load.
- Progressive Disclosure: Hide advanced features until they are needed to prevent overwhelming new users.
- Onboarding: Simplify the first-time experience by focusing on one step at a time.