To prevent these errors, you need to use progress buttons on operations that take longer than two seconds. A research study found that users expect pages to load in two seconds or less, and become impatient when it takes longer.
A progress button gives users a visual cue that indicates a loading state. When users see a process taking place, they’re less likely to press the button again. It’s crucial to ensure no action errors occur by disabling the button when it’s in progress.
You can display the button’s loading state outside of the button, but this isn’t ideal. Users already have their eyes on the button when they press it. By placing it on the button, it’s in line with their visual field. A progress indicator in another area means users have to look for it and might miss it.
Progress buttons should be simple to implement and have a consistent style. This way, users can better recognize the loading state, and the buttons won’t conflict other screen elements. The progress indicator shouldn’t increase the button size or dimensions. Nor should it require the button to have a unique background color. Instead, use a transparent background to signify a disabled state and a high contrast color for the indicator.
The progress indicator shouldn’t hide the button label, so users always know what’s in progress. Accomplishing this is difficult when you don’t have enough space to fit both the indicator and label together. What you can do is use a linear progress indicator instead of a circular one. This approach displays the progress inside the button while keeping the button label visible. You can also show the progress on the top edge of your button if it has sharp corners.
To better inform users what’s in progress, you can also change the button label to describe what the system is doing. For example, changing the original label from “submit” to “submitting…” tells users what’s happening as they’re waiting. Keep in mind this approach may not work if your button isn’t wide enough to hold a longer label.
The loading state isn’t what most designers consider when they design buttons. But when your actions take longer than two seconds to complete, it’s essential to show users the loading state. Progress buttons are the control for doing this. Make use of them so users won’t commit action errors that cause you trouble.