Transcript Web Usability

Dawn Pedersen
Web Interfaces
 Web interfaces allow a user to interact with a
website.
 The simplest web interfaces provide information
and allow the user to click between site pages.
Web Interfaces
 More 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.
Web Interfaces
 Accept and execute user commands.
Web Interfaces
 Provide feedback to the user.
Web Interfaces
 Allow users to rearrange interface elements.
Web Interfaces
 Can update
instantaneously.
Web Usability
 Web 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.
Web Usability
The 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, selfexplanatory.
 Recognize that visitors don't read pages. They
scan them, and they muddle through.
 Create a clear visual hierarchy.
Web Usability
 Create a clear visual hierarchy.
Web Usability
 Break up pages into clearly defined areas.
 Make it obvious what's clickable.
Web Usability
 Keep visual noise to a minimum.
 Omit needless words.
Web Usability
 Create 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?
Web Usability
 Your 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 hereand not somewhere
else?
 Where do I start?
Web Usability
 Nothing beats a good tagline.
 Don't design for a mythical "average user." Test
your site with real, ordinary people.