A toggle is a user-interface control that allows users to update preferences, settings, and other types of information. When used correctly, toggles can make an enormous impact on the end-user experience. Toggle switches should be clear and direct, use standard visual design, and deliver immediate results.
Unlike radio buttons, which have a set default value (on or off), toggles allow the user to change a pre-selected state and can therefore take up less space on screen. They’re particularly well-suited to changing system settings and preferences, and are the preferred way to adjust mobile settings. Toggles are also easier to navigate than other options, such as sliders and checkboxes.
Toggle Configuration
In addition to their role as an interaction component, toggles can serve as a way to manage feature flag configuration. This can be done through a variety of means, ranging from simple but static approaches such as commenting, to more sophisticated solutions that require a specific deployment pattern in order to re-configure the flag. The latter may be accomplished through the use of a preprocessor’s #ifdef feature or through a centralized store such as an application DB.
One of the biggest challenges when designing toggles is determining what visual cues should be utilized to indicate a state change. While it’s tempting to rely on text, this can be confusing. The most effective solution is to provide a high-contrast visual cue, such as embossment or color. In contrast, a low-contrast visual cue such as font size has not proven to be very reliable in signaling a toggle’s active status. Regardless of the visual cue selected, it should always be paired with a descriptive label that describes what will happen when the toggle is turned on or off.
When creating labels, it’s important to keep in mind the proximity principle. If the toggle has two labels, it’s likely that users will read the one that is closest to their eyes. Therefore, it’s best to place the most relevant and informative label first. This approach is particularly helpful when displaying toggles on smaller screens where the label’s position may be obscured by a UI element such as an icon or arrow.
In terms of naming conventions, it’s helpful to create a unique name for each toggle. This can help users remember which toggle to press when interacting with a product or service, and ensure consistency across the product or site. In some cases, it’s also useful to place a description of what the toggle does next to its name.
Applying feature toggles to your development process can be an excellent way to support newer agile models. Rather than creating a code branch to write a new feature, teams can generate release toggles that leave those features inactive on trunk code until they’re ready for testing or production. This makes it much faster to deliver features to your users and can enable you to meet even the tightest of deadlines.
