UX HeatGrid

Product Introduction

1. Definition: UX HeatGrid is a browser-based analytical tool (Chrome extension) that generates real-time heatmaps visualizing user attention distribution, content density, and structural balance on live web pages. It operates as a visual layer over existing UIs.
2. Core Value Proposition: It eliminates guesswork in UX optimization by enabling teams to instantly detect cognitive friction points, content skimming patterns, and layout imbalances during live testing—accelerating data-driven design decisions.

Main Features

1. Intelligent Heatmap: Renders dynamic color gradients (red = high density, blue = low) based on DOM element clustering and whitespace analysis. Uses CSS Grid/Flexbox inspection to map visual weight distribution without requiring user interaction data.
2. Real-Time UX Analytics: Measures three core metrics:
   • Layout Balance: Calculates symmetry/asymmetry scores via element positioning algorithms.
   • Element Density: Quantifies content concentration per viewport zone using pixel clustering.
   • Spacing Consistency: Detects padding/margin deviations through computed style analysis.
3. Automated UX Insights: Flags crowded sections (e.g., >70% content density) and structural outliers via machine learning models trained on Fitts’ Law and Gestalt principles.
4. Privacy-First Architecture: Executes 100% client-side with zero data transmission; uses Chrome’s local storage for session persistence and Offscreen Canvas API for rendering.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Traditional heatmaps (e.g., Hotjar) require days of user data aggregation; UX HeatGrid provides instant visual feedback during prototyping.
2. Target Audience:
   • UX Researchers: Validate information hierarchy without A/B testing.
   • Frontend Developers: Debug layout shifts and CSS overflow issues.
   • Content Designers: Optimize text/scannability in high-attention zones.
3. Use Cases:
   • Identifying "content deserts" (low-engagement zones) in e-commerce layouts.
   • Balancing text/media density in blog templates.
   • Auditing compliance with WCAG spacing requirements.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike session-replay tools (FullStory), it analyzes static structure—not behavioral data—enabling use during pre-launch QA. Competitors lack real-time grid-based spatial analysis.
2. Key Innovation: Patented grid-snapping algorithm that segments pages into dynamic quadrants (adaptive to viewport size) for granular zone-level diagnostics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does UX HeatGrid measure user attention without tracking?
   It infers attention through content density and visual hierarchy—not eye-tracking—using element size, contrast, and proximity metrics derived from the DOM/CSSOM.
2. Can UX HeatGrid analyze password-protected or localhost pages?
   Yes, as a Chrome extension, it operates on any page loaded in the browser, including local development environments and authenticated sessions.
3. Does UX HeatGrid work with JavaScript frameworks like React or Vue?
   Absolutely; it parses the final rendered DOM, making it framework-agnostic and compatible with SPAs (Single-Page Applications).
4. What’s the performance impact of running UX HeatGrid?
   Minimal CPU usage (under 5%) due to lazy-rendering techniques; disables automatically during browser throttling.
5. How accurate are its layout imbalance alerts?
   Alerts trigger when asymmetry exceeds 40% deviation from geometric center or when density variance crosses 2 standard deviations—configurable via settings.