The Value of User Control 

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In the world of UX and product design, control is essential for an effective and successful product. At its core, giving users control over their experience allows for personalized interactions with a digital product, providing a sense of autonomy and satisfaction. Control enables users to feel secure, empowered, and confident in their digital environment. 

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To design a product that puts the user in control, UX designers and product owners should bear several key considerations in mind. 

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Humanizing Interactions 

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Establishing a sense of comfort and trust is a primary goal of product design. To foster a more positive user experience, elements such as user-facing messages should be tailored to feel natural, relatable, and human. Such interface elements can include things like welcome messages, onboarding forms, and confirmation notifications. Crafting messages that are precise, direct, and inviting is critical when attempting to create a sense of security and maintain high levels of engagement. 

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Offer Multiple Options 

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Offer multiple ways to navigate or accomplish a task or action. By giving users options, they are able to make informed decisions, tailor the flow or experience to their individual needs, and choose paths that allow them to advance through the interface with ease. Options also account for varying levels of comfort, allowing users to take the route they are most comfortable with, while still allowing them to use the product as it is intended.

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Design for Unconventionality 

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UX design should also account for unexpected behaviors from users. Logic has to have flexibility when working with digital products, since no two users interact with an interface in the same way. Designers should think about what happens when users veer away from the traditional path through a product, as this allows them to accommodate a broader range of circumstances. 

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The Bottom Line

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Designing with control in mind is essential when UX designers and product owners are looking to create a successful product. Humanizing interactions with welcoming and inclusive messages, providing several paths for the user to take, and design for unconventionality are all important aspects to consider when attempting to create a highly functional user experience. By placing emphasis on control, users will have access to an interactive and intuitive product that meets their individual needs, giving them a sense of comfort and trust when using a digital product.