This is what made Amazon, Google and Apple so powerful. This notion can also be used to discover why products fail. Take Microsoft’s misstep in redesigning the Windows 8 operating system: The move was almost universally panned for removing the hallmark “Start” button users had come to rely on. The new “Metro” tiled interface was certainly sophisticated and attractive, reflected how the market was changing, and incorporated mobile-friendly design elements. But it misunderstood what consumers wanted — namely a consistent starting point.

How to Identify Tech That’s Worth Using, or Will Last

The key to determining whether some new piece of technology, whether it’s a gadget, app or website, will work for you — and better yet, stand the test of time — is how uncomplicated it is, and how easy it is to do what the product is designed to do. Here are a few factors to help you evaluate before you sign up, or spend your money.

Look for simple, clear designs.

Before you buy something, it should be pretty obvious what it does and, generally, how it works. “When a consumer is frustrated on a website,” Mr. Zeldman said, “that means a designer didn’t do their job.” Which means designers don’t always do a good job. It’s not your fault. Product designs should make your experience simple and clear. This can be expanded to any tech product, from desktop computers and TVs to wearable fitness trackers and apps. If you’re looking to buy a wireless speaker but the controls aren’t clearly labeled and it’s complicated to pair with your mobile device, then consider another — there are many to choose from.

Avoid devices or services that confuse you.

Inkjet printers have some impressive features, but the ink cartridges they require infuriate me because it’s as if they’ve been intentionally designed to confuse you. Over the years, most printers I’ve owned will indicate that a cartridge will need to be replaced, even though I can still print pages of text. The settings offer no truly accurate measurement of how much ink is left, even though I can print many pages. That means if I throw my ink cartridge out too early, I’m essentially throwing money away. That’s just poor, confusing product design — or, even worse, purposely vague product design to get you to needlessly spend money.

Be self-aware of how you learn about and use technology.

For most things, you may only need a very simple product or app. Those who may want more sophistication will have to spend time finding a full-featured alternative. “If there’s a learning curve,” Mr. Zeldman said, “does it teach you a new way to think about that subject and make you better at what you do?” If so, that product might be worth it. If you buy a high-end camera, you can learn how to shoot a vast array of creative photos. But if you’re just shooting simple selfies, you might be wasting your money.

Read reviews, then try it out.

“If I’m downloading an app from Apple’s app store, I read the reviews first. I study the screenshots there, since they’re representative of the app,” Mr. Zeldman said. “Maybe I’m interested in downloading a photo app, but if the filters are ugly in the screenshot, I know it’s not for me.” It’s also O.K. to stop using a cheap or inexpensive app after you’ve downloaded it. “One of the great things about apps is that you can also try out a limited-feature version (only certain elements of the app are turned on), and see if it works for you before you decide to pay for the full product,” Mr. Zeldman said. It’s difficult, but not impossible, to try out hardware like a camera or speaker. See if you can borrow a friend’s device to try it out. Or try renting one. With a large item, like a TV, visit a friend who has bought the same (or similar) product and see how it works.

Read the product’s manual or help guides.

As a teacher, I find this to be a valuable gauge of how much the company really cares. A stand-alone scanner I once bought had a manual that stopped midway through the instructions — not surprisingly, I rarely used that scanner. Conversely, a digital camera I once reviewed had a number of simple, well-illustrated tip sections built right into the camera menu, which were invaluable to a novice and even helpful for experienced shooters.