5 stars
A common pattern in any type of social networking, including mobile social networking, is to rate content or comments. Too bad it is frequently done poorly.
A star rating system must have the following components:
| 1 | Ability to view average rating of other users | "Other users" can be all other users, users like you, or your friends. Or two (not three) of the above. And it better be at least implied who the users are. |
| 2 | Ability to rate the content | Rating is done with a single click... but not on the same control as is displaying the average rating. Remember: my rating is not the same as the average rating. |
| 3 | Ability to change your rating | People make mistakes. Hands slip. Brains slip. Opinions change. Do you want your rating system based on mistakes? |
| 4 | A coherent scale | A user can choose 1 star, 2 stars, 3 stars, 4 stars, 5 stars. Not 4.5, not 3.4. It is not continuous. Don't worry, the math still works out, and even those who gripe about granularity will keep using it. |
Other features are optional. #1 is usually done okay; #2 sometimes hides #1, even though its still valid data. #3 is frequently broken or hidden. #4 should be the simplest of all, but many of the biggest sites still break it, one way or the other.
Original Source: Little Springs Design
Little Springs Designs the user experience for mobile devices and services. Our practice of user-centered design means the user comes first, not the technology. We learn about the user, design for the user, and talk to the user - but we understand the technology and its limitations and potential.