UX Movement Newsletter

UX Movement Newsletter

How to Make Similar Button Choices Less Confusing

Icon-dominant buttons

Dec 14, 2021
∙ Paid
21
1
Share

When choosing between several buttons, users have to read the labels and think about each action. This thinking incurs an average cognitive load. However, when two or more button choices are similar, the user's cognitive load spikes. 

Now they have to figure out the difference between those buttons. They're debating in their head which button they should click. They’re hesitant, indecisive, and afraid to make a mistake.

For example, the buttons "Send Money" and "Transfer" have similar meanings. Both actions move the user's money from their account, so it's not clear what the difference is. The user needs more than just button labels to tell them apart.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Anthony from UX Movement
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture