Post by Haili Sanchez on Jan 27, 2015 17:11:11 GMT -8
1. “Don’t Make Me Think!” This isn’t just the title of the book, but it is also Steve Krug’s First Law of Usability. “It means that as far as is humanly possible, when I look at a Web page it should be self-evident. Obvious. Self-explanatory” (11.) While it seems obvious that this law would enhance Web usability; the most obvious reason is the fact that it decreases the amount of frustration a user experiences while trying to access the site. A decrease in user frustration will directly result in the chance of the user finding what it was that they were looking for. It will also increase the trust they have in the site, and the likelihood that they will return to the Web page in the future. The more straight forward and clear a web page is to understand, the more likely the user is to “get it.”
2. A Clean and Well-Organized Layout: It has been proven that people do not use websites the way that designers intended them to be used. Due to many factors, like time constraints and a large block of text; most users do not actually read all of the text supplied on a page. “Instead, we scan (or skim) them, looking for words or phrases that catch our eye” (22.) Because of this fact, it is extremely important that a site be laid out in a creative, but well-thought out manner in order to grab the user’s attention instantly. Taking advantage of preexisting web conventions, such as where things are usually located on a page and effective visual hierarchies, creates a crafty format for the information to be set out logically on. A visual hierarchy means that the eye must be drawn to the most important elements on the page first, then titrating down towards the least important material. Once the user’s attention has been grabbed, it is essential that the information is broken up into specifically defined areas so that it can be easily interpreted. This can be done by making some elements more prominent, like with larger or bolder text, a distinct text color, and placement near the top of the page.
With all these loud visual elements, a page can become quickly overwhelmed; so it is also crucial to eliminate as much of the verbal “noise” as possible. This leads to Krug’s Third Law of Usability, “Get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what’s left” (49.) Creating a clever, logically laid out website while also minimizing the graphic distractions, will drastically increase the usability of the page and increase the user’s confidence in the site.
3. Well Designed and Obvious Navigation Systems: According to chapter six it is a well-known fact that, “people won’t use your Web site if they can’t find their way around it” (55.) This is known to be true because just like any device, if something is too complicated then it is not worth our time to figure out how to use it. It has been found that there are two types of people who use web pages, Search-dominant users who will always go directly for the search utility, and link-dominant users who will always browse a site using the first available links they see. Since we know this, it is important that there be strong navigation systems in place to benefit and help both types of users find the information they are seeking.
The persistent or Global Navigation, which is the combination of common elements that appear on every page of the site, must be very well thought-out and designed. In order for the logical hierarchy of the site to be intelligible the elements of the global navigation must be visible and clearly defined, these elements are; the site ID, the sections, and the utilities. It is also important that specifically the home button and the search bar be clearly evident and easily accessible, this is in the event that a user gets lost in the lower levels of the page. The way to help avoid this problem though is to make sure the secondary and tertiary levels of navigation are just as organized as the primary level. Even with this precaution taken, it likely that the user will still get lost from time to time. So as a result there should also be many ways to find your way back to the previous levels of navigation, or all the way back to the home page. Some essential tools that allow a user to not only identify where they are on a site, but to also help guide them in the direction they are trying to go are clear page names on the top of every page, tabs, “you are here” identifiers, and breadcrumbs. As long as a user is able to easily navigate, and find their way back towards their desired destination, then the site has been laid out in an effective manner.
4. Site Testing and Usability: When you test a site, it enhances the web usability for the user for many reasons. The obvious one being that it simply shows you how good the webpage is, and how well it works. It shows you how cohesive the layout of the pages are, how effective your navigation system the breadcrumb trails are, it demonstrates how well your links work and it also tells you if the aesthetics of the site look the way you intended them to. It also becomes obvious pretty immediately whether or not the concept of the site is clear, and if the user gets it.
The most important thing that comes with testing the usability of a website is that is allows you to see it from a different perspective. In chapter nine, Krug states that “testing reminds that not everyone thinks the way you do, knows what you know, and uses the Web the way you do” (114.) The way this statement translates into web usability is that you have created a site, and all of its conventions in a manner that you think is obvious and will not make anyone have to think (referring back to rule number one.) But, that is not necessarily the case. The way something is programed that makes sense to you, might be completely confusing and an abstract thought to another user. So while taking the time to test a Web site might be costly and delay the launch, the benefits of testing the usability far outweigh the problems that could arise if you don’t.
5. Accessibility of a Site: I truly think this is the one thing of enhancing Web usability that is just common-sense, because as Krug exclaims, “it is the right thing to do. And not just the right thing; it’s profoundly the right thing to do, because… of how extraordinarily better it makes some people’s lives” (175.) While this sounds like extremely complex, the concept is actually quite simple; Web accessibility simply means that is able to be used by people with disabilities. The difficult and complicated part of making all sights user-friendly is the huge array of disabilities that it has to be able to accommodate. The list includes those whom have visual impairments, a lack of or very limited mobility, deafness or hearing impairments, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and those who suffer from seizures. The second problem that arises from this idea is that no two impairments or disabilities are the same; so creating something that is easily accessible to everyone is very challenging.
In chapter twelve, Krug explains the fact that the Tang Argument, which claims that by making sites accessible in the first place makes them more usable for everyone, is wrong because the opposite of that declaration has been proven to be more likely. Which is to say that “making sites more usable for ‘the rest of us’ is one of the most effective ways to make them more effective for people with disabilities” (178.) This statement is basically saying that if a site is baffling or difficult to most users, it is almost guaranteed to cause problems for those users with disabilities. The way to enhance the accessibility of a page is to identify the items that cause difficulties and confusion during site testing, and come up with alternative ways to fix these problems.
Disney.Com
Overall, I think the Web site Disney.com does a really good job representing effective Web usability, and provides not just a good, but a great visitor experience. The purpose of the site is extraordinarily clear from the first glance and continues to be very evident throughout every page of the site. The links, and buttons are self-explanatory and they do a good job of making it obvious what is, or isn’t clickable on a page. There are detailed names, pictures and descriptions to make sure the user has a strong understanding of what it is they are looking at; whether it is a product, a movie, a game, or an amusement park. It is very recognizable that a lot of time, planning, effort, and testing went in to the production and design of this site, in order to provide the user with the best experience possible.
1. Don’t Make Me Think: Disney.com demonstrates this feature very effectively. The reason for the site is obvious, and at first glance it is definitely self-explanatory. As the tag line claims it is “The Official Home for all things Disney.”
2. A Clean and Well-Organized Layout: The layout of the site is very well done, it is apparent that a lot of time was spent making sure that it was designed successfully. The entire site is bright, colorful and eye-catching as one would expect for something representing Disney, and there is a lot going on; but the excessive noise is minimal, and it also effectively laid-out and broken up into clearly defined sections as to not overwhelm the user.
3. Well-Designed and Obvious Navigation Systems: The main page of the site is a good example of the first level of navigation. It is clear that there are about ten main sections of the site for the primary navigation, with up to as many as six sub-sections and levels filtering down for each section. While the sheer size of the entire site is intimidating; the global navigation is definitely persistent on every page and it would be easy to find your way back in the event of getting lost.
4. Site Testing and Usability: Disney.com is a prime example of site that has had a lot of time, and money on testing the effectiveness and usability. There does not appear to be any complications in the links, and it passed the “Trunk Test” very quickly.
5. Accessibility of Site: The site seems demonstrate efficient use of Web accessibility. It passed Krug’s “3 second Accessibility Test,” that he explains on page 173 as the ability to register and move beyond a fixed-font size. When the text size of the web browser was changed from “medium” to “large” and then again to “extra-large,” the site had no problem adjusting, and accommodating to the new text size immediately without having any effect on the site’s layout.
2. A Clean and Well-Organized Layout: It has been proven that people do not use websites the way that designers intended them to be used. Due to many factors, like time constraints and a large block of text; most users do not actually read all of the text supplied on a page. “Instead, we scan (or skim) them, looking for words or phrases that catch our eye” (22.) Because of this fact, it is extremely important that a site be laid out in a creative, but well-thought out manner in order to grab the user’s attention instantly. Taking advantage of preexisting web conventions, such as where things are usually located on a page and effective visual hierarchies, creates a crafty format for the information to be set out logically on. A visual hierarchy means that the eye must be drawn to the most important elements on the page first, then titrating down towards the least important material. Once the user’s attention has been grabbed, it is essential that the information is broken up into specifically defined areas so that it can be easily interpreted. This can be done by making some elements more prominent, like with larger or bolder text, a distinct text color, and placement near the top of the page.
With all these loud visual elements, a page can become quickly overwhelmed; so it is also crucial to eliminate as much of the verbal “noise” as possible. This leads to Krug’s Third Law of Usability, “Get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what’s left” (49.) Creating a clever, logically laid out website while also minimizing the graphic distractions, will drastically increase the usability of the page and increase the user’s confidence in the site.
3. Well Designed and Obvious Navigation Systems: According to chapter six it is a well-known fact that, “people won’t use your Web site if they can’t find their way around it” (55.) This is known to be true because just like any device, if something is too complicated then it is not worth our time to figure out how to use it. It has been found that there are two types of people who use web pages, Search-dominant users who will always go directly for the search utility, and link-dominant users who will always browse a site using the first available links they see. Since we know this, it is important that there be strong navigation systems in place to benefit and help both types of users find the information they are seeking.
The persistent or Global Navigation, which is the combination of common elements that appear on every page of the site, must be very well thought-out and designed. In order for the logical hierarchy of the site to be intelligible the elements of the global navigation must be visible and clearly defined, these elements are; the site ID, the sections, and the utilities. It is also important that specifically the home button and the search bar be clearly evident and easily accessible, this is in the event that a user gets lost in the lower levels of the page. The way to help avoid this problem though is to make sure the secondary and tertiary levels of navigation are just as organized as the primary level. Even with this precaution taken, it likely that the user will still get lost from time to time. So as a result there should also be many ways to find your way back to the previous levels of navigation, or all the way back to the home page. Some essential tools that allow a user to not only identify where they are on a site, but to also help guide them in the direction they are trying to go are clear page names on the top of every page, tabs, “you are here” identifiers, and breadcrumbs. As long as a user is able to easily navigate, and find their way back towards their desired destination, then the site has been laid out in an effective manner.
4. Site Testing and Usability: When you test a site, it enhances the web usability for the user for many reasons. The obvious one being that it simply shows you how good the webpage is, and how well it works. It shows you how cohesive the layout of the pages are, how effective your navigation system the breadcrumb trails are, it demonstrates how well your links work and it also tells you if the aesthetics of the site look the way you intended them to. It also becomes obvious pretty immediately whether or not the concept of the site is clear, and if the user gets it.
The most important thing that comes with testing the usability of a website is that is allows you to see it from a different perspective. In chapter nine, Krug states that “testing reminds that not everyone thinks the way you do, knows what you know, and uses the Web the way you do” (114.) The way this statement translates into web usability is that you have created a site, and all of its conventions in a manner that you think is obvious and will not make anyone have to think (referring back to rule number one.) But, that is not necessarily the case. The way something is programed that makes sense to you, might be completely confusing and an abstract thought to another user. So while taking the time to test a Web site might be costly and delay the launch, the benefits of testing the usability far outweigh the problems that could arise if you don’t.
5. Accessibility of a Site: I truly think this is the one thing of enhancing Web usability that is just common-sense, because as Krug exclaims, “it is the right thing to do. And not just the right thing; it’s profoundly the right thing to do, because… of how extraordinarily better it makes some people’s lives” (175.) While this sounds like extremely complex, the concept is actually quite simple; Web accessibility simply means that is able to be used by people with disabilities. The difficult and complicated part of making all sights user-friendly is the huge array of disabilities that it has to be able to accommodate. The list includes those whom have visual impairments, a lack of or very limited mobility, deafness or hearing impairments, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and those who suffer from seizures. The second problem that arises from this idea is that no two impairments or disabilities are the same; so creating something that is easily accessible to everyone is very challenging.
In chapter twelve, Krug explains the fact that the Tang Argument, which claims that by making sites accessible in the first place makes them more usable for everyone, is wrong because the opposite of that declaration has been proven to be more likely. Which is to say that “making sites more usable for ‘the rest of us’ is one of the most effective ways to make them more effective for people with disabilities” (178.) This statement is basically saying that if a site is baffling or difficult to most users, it is almost guaranteed to cause problems for those users with disabilities. The way to enhance the accessibility of a page is to identify the items that cause difficulties and confusion during site testing, and come up with alternative ways to fix these problems.
Disney.Com
Overall, I think the Web site Disney.com does a really good job representing effective Web usability, and provides not just a good, but a great visitor experience. The purpose of the site is extraordinarily clear from the first glance and continues to be very evident throughout every page of the site. The links, and buttons are self-explanatory and they do a good job of making it obvious what is, or isn’t clickable on a page. There are detailed names, pictures and descriptions to make sure the user has a strong understanding of what it is they are looking at; whether it is a product, a movie, a game, or an amusement park. It is very recognizable that a lot of time, planning, effort, and testing went in to the production and design of this site, in order to provide the user with the best experience possible.
1. Don’t Make Me Think: Disney.com demonstrates this feature very effectively. The reason for the site is obvious, and at first glance it is definitely self-explanatory. As the tag line claims it is “The Official Home for all things Disney.”
2. A Clean and Well-Organized Layout: The layout of the site is very well done, it is apparent that a lot of time was spent making sure that it was designed successfully. The entire site is bright, colorful and eye-catching as one would expect for something representing Disney, and there is a lot going on; but the excessive noise is minimal, and it also effectively laid-out and broken up into clearly defined sections as to not overwhelm the user.
3. Well-Designed and Obvious Navigation Systems: The main page of the site is a good example of the first level of navigation. It is clear that there are about ten main sections of the site for the primary navigation, with up to as many as six sub-sections and levels filtering down for each section. While the sheer size of the entire site is intimidating; the global navigation is definitely persistent on every page and it would be easy to find your way back in the event of getting lost.
4. Site Testing and Usability: Disney.com is a prime example of site that has had a lot of time, and money on testing the effectiveness and usability. There does not appear to be any complications in the links, and it passed the “Trunk Test” very quickly.
5. Accessibility of Site: The site seems demonstrate efficient use of Web accessibility. It passed Krug’s “3 second Accessibility Test,” that he explains on page 173 as the ability to register and move beyond a fixed-font size. When the text size of the web browser was changed from “medium” to “large” and then again to “extra-large,” the site had no problem adjusting, and accommodating to the new text size immediately without having any effect on the site’s layout.
