A toggle is a switch that has two positions, on and off. In the web world we use toggles to create form elements that allow users to opt-in or opt-out of certain functionality. They are useful in minimizing the number of form elements required on a page and providing greater flexibility for users. Toggles are also effective for managing change in a continuous delivery workflow. They provide a simple way to roll out/back features while reducing the risk that an experimental feature will flop when it’s rolled out to all users.
Where to use Toggle
Form components like dropdowns and radio buttons have many uses, but there are some situations where a toggle is appropriate. Toggle is a powerful web component that fires mutually exclusive events when activated. It’s important to use it carefully because it can easily lead to confusion if used incorrectly.
For example, many designers add color to toggle switches to help distinguish them from other elements on the page. However, color can be confusing to some users—particularly those with red/green color blindness. This is why it’s important to use descriptive, non-ambiguous labels for toggles and utilize visual cues such as animation when the state changes.
Another great use of toggles is for experimentation with your audience before rolling out a new product feature to all users. A great way to do this is by adding an experiment toggle and setting up a cohort of users that will see the feature while another cohort will not. After a set period of time, you can determine which algorithm is performing better and then make that the default for all users.
