Common Small Touch Targets in Payment Gateway Apps: Causes and Fixes

Small touch targets are a common issue in mobile apps, and payment gateway apps are no exception. A small touch target refers to a user interface element, such as a button or a link, that is too small

Introduction to Small Touch Targets in Payment Gateway Apps

Small touch targets are a common issue in mobile apps, and payment gateway apps are no exception. A small touch target refers to a user interface element, such as a button or a link, that is too small to be easily tapped by a user's finger. This can lead to frustration, errors, and ultimately, a poor user experience.

Technical Root Causes of Small Touch Targets

The root causes of small touch targets in payment gateway apps can be technical in nature. Some common causes include:

• Insufficient padding: When the padding around a button or link is too small, it can be difficult for users to tap the element accurately.
• Inconsistent font sizes: Using inconsistent font sizes throughout the app can make it difficult for users to tap on smaller text elements.
• Complex layouts: Complex layouts with multiple elements in close proximity can make it difficult for users to accurately tap on a specific element.
• Lack of mobile-specific design: Payment gateway apps that are not designed with mobile devices in mind may have small touch targets that are difficult to tap.

Real-World Impact of Small Touch Targets

Small touch targets can have a significant impact on the user experience and ultimately, the success of a payment gateway app. Some real-world impacts include:

• User complaints: Users may complain about the difficulty of using the app, leading to negative reviews and a loss of trust in the app.
• Store ratings: Small touch targets can lead to low store ratings, making it more difficult to attract new users.
• Revenue loss: A poor user experience can lead to abandoned transactions, resulting in lost revenue for the app.

Examples of Small Touch Targets in Payment Gateway Apps

Here are 7 specific examples of how small touch targets can manifest in payment gateway apps:

1. Small "Pay Now" buttons: A small "Pay Now" button can be difficult to tap, especially if it is located near other elements.
2. Tiny checkbox labels: Checkbox labels that are too small can be difficult to tap, making it hard for users to select or deselect options.
3. Miniature dropdown menus: Dropdown menus with small touch targets can be difficult to navigate, especially if the user needs to select a specific option.
4. Small keyboard buttons: Small keyboard buttons, such as the "Next" or "Done" buttons, can be difficult to tap, especially if the user is using a large screen device.
5. Inaccessible captcha buttons: Captcha buttons that are too small can be difficult to tap, making it hard for users to verify their humanity.
6. Tiny error message links: Error message links that are too small can be difficult to tap, making it hard for users to resolve issues.
7. Small Terms and Conditions links: Terms and Conditions links that are too small can be difficult to tap, making it hard for users to access important information.

Detecting Small Touch Targets

Detecting small touch targets in payment gateway apps can be done using a variety of tools and techniques. Some common methods include:

• Manual testing: Manual testing involves having a human tester interact with the app to identify small touch targets.
• Automated testing: Automated testing tools, such as SUSA, can be used to identify small touch targets by simulating user interactions.
• Accessibility testing: Accessibility testing tools can be used to identify small touch targets by checking for compliance with accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 AA).
• User feedback: User feedback can be used to identify small touch targets by collecting feedback from users and analyzing it to identify common issues.

Fixing Small Touch Targets

Fixing small touch targets in payment gateway apps requires a code-level understanding of the issue. Here are some specific examples of how to fix each of the examples listed above:

1. Small "Pay Now" buttons: Increase the size of the "Pay Now" button to at least 44x44 pixels, and add sufficient padding around the button to make it easier to tap.
2. Tiny checkbox labels: Increase the font size of the checkbox labels to at least 16 pixels, and add sufficient padding around the labels to make them easier to tap.
3. Miniature dropdown menus: Increase the size of the dropdown menu options to at least 44x44 pixels, and add sufficient padding around the options to make them easier to tap.
4. Small keyboard buttons: Increase the size of the keyboard buttons to at least 44x44 pixels, and add sufficient padding around the buttons to make them easier to tap.
5. Inaccessible captcha buttons: Increase the size of the captcha buttons to at least 44x44 pixels, and add sufficient padding around the buttons to make them easier to tap.
6. Tiny error message links: Increase the font size of the error message links to at least 16 pixels, and add sufficient padding around the links to make them easier to tap.
7. Small Terms and Conditions links: Increase the font size of the Terms and Conditions links to at least 16 pixels, and add sufficient padding around the links to make them easier to tap.

Preventing Small Touch Targets

Preventing small touch targets in payment gateway apps requires a proactive approach to design and development. Here are some strategies for preventing small touch targets:

• Design for mobile devices: Design the app with mobile devices in mind, taking into account the smaller screen size and touch targets.
• Use accessibility guidelines: Use accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 AA), to ensure that the app is accessible to users with disabilities.
• Test for small touch targets: Test the app for small touch targets using a variety of tools and techniques, including manual testing, automated testing, and user feedback.
• Use SUSA: Use SUSA, an autonomous QA platform, to identify small touch targets and other issues in the app. SUSA can auto-generate Appium (Android) + Playwright (Web) regression test scripts, and provides coverage analytics and flow tracking to help identify issues.

By following these strategies, developers can prevent small touch targets in payment gateway apps and ensure a positive user experience.