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How to Design a Togle

A toggle is a user interface element that lets users change preferences, settings, or other types of information. They can be used to show or hide content, or adjust layouts and other display options based on device or screen size. Toggles are easy to use and can deliver immediate results, but they require careful consideration when designing user experiences. For example, they must be clearly labeled and provide visual cues to avoid confusion. They also need to be designed with accessibility in mind.

Toggles are best suited for changing system settings or state-based functionality. For example, a toggle is the right control to use when allowing users to turn Airplane Mode ON or OFF. They’re also often preferred over checkboxes because they take up less screen space. Additionally, toggles are a better choice for setting preferences than radio buttons because they don’t force a default answer.

Although toggles are a useful tool for controlling system settings and preferences, they can be problematic when used for more complex actions. For instance, it’s not appropriate to use a toggle switch for downloading content. Instead, it’s much better to use a button with a text label that clearly describes the download process and its duration.

When designing a toggle, designers should pay attention to the color that is chosen for the on and off states. Contrasting colors is important because it helps users to differentiate between the two states and avoid confusion. However, it’s also important to consider the societal and cultural implications of using certain colors. For instance, red is a bad choice for the on state because it has negative associations in some cultures.

Feature Toggles are an excellent way to test new features and changes in a controlled environment before making them available to the wider user base. Many companies, including Facebook and Etsy, use Feature Toggles to perform continuous deployment and collect feedback before rolling out updates to the entire user base.

In addition to testing and improving features, Feature Toggles can be helpful for managing product complexity. Savvy teams recognize that each toggle in the codebase has a carrying cost and seek to keep that cost low by proactively removing toggles when they’re no longer needed. Some teams have rules such as adding a task to the backlog for toggle removal after each release and others have created “expiration dates” for their toggles.

Toggle switches are a useful user interface component, but they must be used with care to avoid confusion and make sure that the toggles on a website or app work as intended. By providing clear labels, utilizing standard design elements, and making sure that toggles are accessible to users with disabilities, you can ensure that toggles are effective and usable for everyone.