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Principles of Usability IIStrategy and Design for Web Sites
Present by Patrick Bieser Sr., President Northwoods Software
October 16, 2006
Who am I?
• Created hundreds of web sites• Search logs and web site statistics• Usability studies• Usability books• Made mistakes• Studied best / most successful sites• Mom and Dad are web users• User (just like you)
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October 16, 2006
Summary of Today’s Presentation• Lots of little things
• McDonalds• Examples• User behaviors• More examples• Usability testing
• Fixes cost 75% less before launch• No “right” way. It depends.
October 16, 2006
If your web site is too hard to use…people won’t use it.
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October 16, 2006
Amazon’s Three Things
1. Powerful Search2. Exhaustive Information - Cleanly Presented3. Simple Conversion
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October 16, 2006
Craig’s List – Three Things
1. Instant ‘Get it’ thru Simple design2. Navigation as Content - Scanable3. Simple Conversion
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October 16, 2006
Airlines Formula
1. Good Usability…2. Leads to Conversions…3. Sell More, Save $$
October 16, 2006
Users
• Scan - they’re in a hurry• Are goal-oriented• Get frustrated easily• Dislike choices that require thinking • Are easily disoriented
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Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredrthe ltteers in a wrod are, the olnyiprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsatltteer be at the rghit pclae. Tihs is bcuseaethe huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteterby istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
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Low home page entranceLow home page entrance
Large Trailing TailLarge Trailing Tail
October 16, 2006
First 5 Seconds
• Use Search / Key Application (50%)• Scan the navigation / home page (30%)• Mixed strategies (site map, etc.) (20%)
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October 16, 2006
Writing for the Web
• Write to be scanned• One thought per paragraph
– especially on home page• Cut your words in half then cut again• Use graphic accents to draw attention
– Not to show off your graphic skill• “Flytrap” your content
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October 16, 2006
Web Page Tips
• No marketing lingo or brands in navigation• No “happy talk” or instructions• Show – don’t tell!
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October 16, 2006
Home Page - I
• Don’t make content look like an Ad• Skip “Welcome!” messages• Magic 7• Group Corporate stuff
– about us, stock price, contact us, jobs, etc.• Group Utilities
– search, site map, login, etc.• Graphics: less is more
– 5% - 15%
October 16, 2006
Home Page - II
• Avoid navigation redundancy– waste of space
• Use conventions of popular sites– search– site map – breadcrumbs– logo click takes you to Home
Page
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October 16, 2006
So What?
Lessons learned apply to your website• Substance 98% trumps Sizzle 2%• Content 80% trumps Brand 20%• Conventions 75% trump Creative 25%• Simplicity is King• A focus on usability is the single largest factor
common among successful websites.• Lemmings….
October 16, 2006
Stereotypes of Key Influencers
Web Designers• Are not normal• They are power users• Don’t think / behave like our audiences• Went to school to learn: visual design, branding and
marketing for print, TV, radio. • Not taught about the web (it’s a technical thing)• Paid to be creative and clever, not to follow conventions
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October 16, 2006
Stereotypes of Key Influencers
Directors / Executives• Don’t always “get” the web• Want more “Sizzle”• Listen to well meaning people they trust (who may not “get” the
web)• Need to be patiently educated by credible sources
October 16, 2006
Stereotypes of Key Influencers
IT Professionals• See the web as a technology• Don’t get all this “branding” and “usability” stuff• Make decisions based on tools, certifications,
and integration needs• Need to have their web sensitivity patiently
increased by credible sources
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October 16, 2006
Stereotypes of Key Influencers
Marketing Types• Put too much emphasis on look and feel • See the web as an extension of their branding initiatives• Assume print and web are mostly the same• Need to read ‘Don’t Make Me Think’
October 16, 2006
The DifferencesThe purpose of non-web marketing• Grab eyeballs• Create an impression• Build brand awareness• Drive conversions (i.e. go to your website)The purpose of a website• Offer intuitive and useful information, without
annoying or confusing your visitor, so they will reach a goal page and convert.
The purpose of a web application• Offer intuitive interface for retrieving / entering
information that requires minimal training and results in high accuracy.
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October 16, 2006
Aim for simplicity
The truth is…simplicity is hard
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October 16, 2006
Group Usability StudyCan you find…
October 16, 2006
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October 16, 2006
Usability Methods• Card Sorting:
– Group top and second navigation– Name them
• Current Site: – Ten tasks– Talk out loud – Tape it
• Paper Prototype: – What would you click on?
• Look at web / search logs• 80% of 80%
October 16, 2006
Usability Testing
• Informal • Low cost and effective• As few as 3-5 users
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October 16, 2006
Top Eight User Complaints
• Flash (the bad kind)• Font is too small• Non-standard links• Content Not Written for the Web• Bad Search Results• Browser Incompatibility• No Contact / Company Info• Inadequate Photo Enlargement
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October 16, 2006
“It’s not the number of clicks... it’s how hard each click is!”
- Steve Krug