A toggle is an alternative or alternate state for a software or hardware switch. It may also refer to a piece of wood or plastic. For instance, you might use a toggle to fasten or unlock a lock. In some cases, a toggle is also the name of a particular function, such as a caps lock key or a slider.
Toggle is a ubiquitous feature in computing. If you are a Mac or Windows user, you might use the keyboard shortcut Alt+Tab to toggle between programs. You can also use a pop-up menu to select a different action, such as switching from a text editor to an online email client. Some people even use a toggle to change from an onscreen map to a full-screen one.
Toggle is a tad more complicated than its simpler cousins. A toggle might be a small plastic button or a button that requires a press or two to make a difference. The best toggles are those that are easy to see and use. When it comes to implementing a toggle on your website, there are a few things to remember.
A toggle is not the only way to tell what is going on, but it is a great tool to have in your arsenal. As a matter of fact, you can find toggles in just about every application you can think of. They can be found in your options list or preferences. However, a toggle is a tricky item to implement, which is why you will want to do it the right way.
The best and most effective way to make a toggle work for you is to consider its context. This means you must consider how it relates to the content you are trying to deliver. That means you must consider the content, the platform on which it is being used, and the users you plan to serve. In other words, you need to do more than just design a functional toggle; you need to design one that will fit the needs of your users.
One of the best ways to do this is to ensure that the toggle is visible at all times. While this might seem like a pain in the backside, you will find that it leads to better usability. Another thing to consider is the color scheme. Colorful toggles stand out among the crowd, so avoid using black and white, if at all possible. Likewise, make sure that the toggle is a tad larger than it needs to be, if possible, to allow for better visibility.
Other suggestions include making the toggle transparent, or at least not too opaque. In addition, make sure to use a color that is high contrast to make it easier to spot. Lastly, don’t forget the little things, such as the appropriate font sizes, margins, and spacing. Your users will thank you for it.
There are other things to learn from the toggle, including how to identify it. You can do so by using a good visual cue, such as the color of the buttons on your site.
