Why do we place important buttons at the bottom right?

Have you ever wondered why some of the most critical buttons, like "Buy Now" or "Submit," are often strategically placed at the bottom right?

Here are 3 key reasons behind this design choice.

1. Visual Hierarchy 👀

One of the fundamental principles of design is creating a clear visual hierarchy.

When users visit a website or use an application, they don't read, they SCAN. The Z-pattern represents a common scanning pattern for users. This pattern mirrors the natural reading direction for many cultures – from left to right and top to bottom.

By placing important buttons at the bottom right, designers take advantage of this natural scanning behavior. Users follow the Z-pattern and end up at the bottom right corner, where they find the critical action or button.

It also creates a sense of progression and visual flow, making it more likely that they will take the desired action.

2. Fitt's Law 👍Fitt's Law is a fundamental principle in human-computer interaction.

It states that the time it takes to reach a target (such as a button) is in function of the target's size and distance from the starting point. In simple terms, larger and closer targets are easier and faster to reach.

Now, considering that most people are right-handed. The most convenient place for them to navigate to on a touchscreen or with a mouse is the bottom right of the screen.

Placing important buttons bottom right makes it easier for users to interact with these buttons, enhancing the overall user experience.

3. Familiarity 💡In the world of web and app design, patterns and conventions play a significant role. Users have certain expectations based on their previous experiences with other websites and applications.

When designers consistently place important buttons at the bottom right, it becomes a familiar and expected pattern for users. This familiarity is a win-win for users and designers that results from years of collective design experience and user feedback.

In conclusion

The placement of important buttons at the bottom right of an interface is not arbitrary but grounded in principles of visual hierarchy, Fitt's Law, and user familiarity.

So the next time you encounter an "Add to Cart" or "Sign Up" button at the bottom right, you'll know that it's not by chance but by design.