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Web Usability Dawn Pedersen

Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

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Page 1: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web UsabilityDawn Pedersen

Page 2: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web InterfacesWeb interfaces allow a user to interact with a

website.The simplest web interfaces provide

information and allow the user to click between site pages.

Page 3: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web InterfacesMore complex web interfaces act more like

software interfaces:Accept and execute user commands.Provide feedback to the user.Allow users to rearrange interface elements.Can update instantaneously.

Page 4: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web InterfacesAccept and execute user commands.

Page 5: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web InterfacesProvide feedback to the user.

Page 6: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web InterfacesAllow users to rearrange interface elements.

Page 7: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web InterfacesCan update

instantaneously.

Page 8: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web UsabilityWeb designers need to consider the needs of

users when designing a web interface.Usability refers to the degree to which a user

can quickly and confidently navigate a website.

Usability is typically the number one factor influencing whether someone will stay on your site or go elsewhere for what they want or need.

Page 9: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web UsabilityThe following is a summarized list of tips for making web sites usable. They come from the legendary book about web design usability, "Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug.Don't make your visitors have to think. A web

page should be self-evident, obvious, self-explanatory.

Recognize that visitors don't read pages. They scan them, and they muddle through.

Create a clear visual hierarchy.

Page 10: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web UsabilityCreate a clear visual hierarchy.

Page 11: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web UsabilityBreak up pages into clearly defined areas. Make it obvious what's clickable.

Page 12: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web UsabilityKeep visual noise to a minimum. Omit needless words.

Page 13: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web UsabilityCreate street signs and breadcrumbs in your

navigation. On any page, a visitor should be able to answer these questions: What site is this?What page am I on?What are the major

sections of the site?What are my options at

this level?Where am I in the

scheme of things?How can I search?

Page 14: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web UsabilityYour home page must convey "the big

picture" for your visitors: What is this?What do they have

here?What can I do here?Why should I be here-

and not somewhere else?

Where do I start?

Page 15: Dawn Pedersen. Web Interfaces Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a website. The simplest web interfaces provide information and allow the user

Web UsabilityNothing beats a good tagline. Don't design for a mythical "average user."

Test your site with real, ordinary people.