Users have certain expectations when they arrive to your site. They may have visited lots of website before also to fulfill the particular need. It is quite natural to imbibe some habits on the way. It is essential to incorporate these patterns into your design. By learning psychological concept that is also known as mental models, you can be easily benefitted while designing a website.

Mental Models

Psychology and philosophy is the base of mental model. It is generally utilized to decide upon the interaction between human and computer. Through the method, it is described how user already has an idea how everything works. It shows users knowledge about the website even before they have started to use it.
Mental model is not a factual concept. It is created on the basis of predictions and beliefs. Dependence on the previous experience is observed on the occasion. Therefore, it may vary from a person to person. Similar experiences may be encountered. However, it cannot be completely same ever.
Now, let’s see how mental model can impact your web design

How mental model can impact your web design

Every day, different kinds of products are used by a user. Depending on these interactions, development of various mental models can be seen in the brain. It is quite naturally observed with the kids that have been quite acquainted with the touchscreens from a very early age. They are usually quite fluent with the mobile phones and tablets. However, if the kids are given a book then they may try to swipe it also out of habit. They are usually familiar with a pattern which they try to follow with everything.
Similar to the kids, adults are prone to follow same pattern also. Certain beliefs can be observed with the web pages also.
• Different color must be utilized for the links
• Company logo must be placed at the left hand side.
• Top right corner is the best for sign-up button.

Most of these rules are usually observed with the websites. In case of little text, F-pattern is followed whereas in case of a common text, Z pattern is used quite naturally.
Scanning of the website begins from the logo by the users. Later on, they may look at the navigation bar and CTA. Certain elements are expected to be found in certain places. In case there is a deviation from the tried and tested design then confusion can be seen which may lead to the lower conversion rate.
Redesign Process with Mental Model
Some risks can be observed with the redesigning of the website. On the occasion, ultimate goal is to enhance user experience. However, change also challenges the user’s mental model. It is possible to obtain great results with mental model. Chances are also there that you have gone completely wrong with the website.
Sometime, user may be annoyed by new information architecture. Mix up of private message and public stories can be observed also. Due to lack of chronological display, further confusion can be encountered. Therefore, reviews may be negative. On the occasion, users have to go through a dramatically change of mental model.
In case the older version is good enough to fulfill the requirement of the users then you should not redesign a website for just creating something new.