Provide Exit Points
Give users clear ‘cancel,’ ‘back,’ or ‘close’ options in every flow to reduce frustration, boost control, and prevent drop-offs.
Definition
Provide Exit Points means giving your users clear, obvious ways to back out of any process or screen at any moment.
This principle taps into psychology’s need for autonomy and control, users who feel trapped experience frustration and mental friction, which hurts engagement and satisfaction.
In human-computer interaction, exit points are non-negotiable: they lower cognitive load, reduce anxiety, and make your flows feel forgiving. If users can’t bail out, they’ll bail on your product.
Real world example
Think about Gmail’s compose window: you get a prominent “X” to close, a “Discard draft” link, and even a back arrow. That trio of exit options means you never feel stuck mid-draft.
Real world example
Exit points matter in user onboarding flows where first impressions count, so add obvious “Skip tutorial” or “Back to home” links. They’re critical on crowded pricing pages to let users bail out if prices shock them, with “Cancel” or “Previous” buttons. And within modal dialogs or pop-ups, like newsletter sign-ups, always include a clear “X” or “Close” link so you aren’t holding users hostage.
What are the key benefits?
Everything you need to make smarter growth decisions, without the guesswork or wasted time.
Always place a visible close icon (X) in the top-right of modals.
Include a ‘Back’ button at the start of each multi-step form.
Add a ‘Cancel’ link alongside primary actions on dialogs.
What are the key benefits?
Everything you need to make smarter growth decisions, without the guesswork or wasted time.
Don’t hide exit controls behind hover states or tiny icons.
Don’t force users to complete an action before showing a way out.
Don’t rely solely on the browser back button as your only exit.
Frequently asked questions
Growth co-pilot turns your toughest product questions into clear, data-backed recommendations you can act on immediately.
Why are exit points so critical in UX design?
Exit points give users a safety net, when people feel in control, they explore more freely and commit to tasks. No exits equal more anxiety and higher abandonment rates.
Where should I prioritize adding exit points?
Focus on onboarding flows, multi-step forms, and any modal or pop-up. These are the high-stakes areas where users are most likely to feel trapped.
Can too many exit options hurt my design?
Not if you use them strategically. Overloading every screen is noisy, but providing a clear primary exit and a secondary one in complex flows keeps the UI clean and user-friendly.
How do I test if my exit points are effective?
Use A/B tests to compare engagement and abandonment rates with different exit placements. Heatmaps can also reveal if users struggle to find the exits you’ve added.
Are keyboard shortcuts valid exit points?
Absolutely, keyboard shortcuts like ‘Esc’ are powerful cognitive shortcuts. But always combine them with visible UI elements so you cover both discoverability and efficiency.
Stop Trapping Your Users
Most funnels leak because users feel stuck. Run your flows through the CrackGrowth diagnostic to pinpoint missing exit points and reclaim lost engagement.