Have you ever carried on a conversation with someone who wouldn’t come out and say what he meant, but instead kept trying to give you just enough information to lead you to a conclusion? Perhaps you guessed at the point he was trying to make only to have him throw his hands up in frustration at your inability to guess where he was heading. As you tried to play along, in your mind you were probably pleading “Please don’t make me try to figure it out … Just come out and say it!”
Designing For Usability
As a web designer, you should assume that your target audience thinks the same way. When someone visits a web site, most often he or she wants to know exactly how to carry out the intended action without having to guess where he should go next. The user’s ability to carry out his intended action easily and without becoming confused or frustrated is known as web design usability.
The experience a visitor has on your website can have far-reaching implications. If a particular user has a great experience he might tell his friends, blog about it on his website, post a positive status on Facebook, and post a review on your site. If he has a terrible experience, he can just as easily use all those venues to destroy your reputation.
Have you taken a good look at your website lately? Not just by uploading new content or adding products. I’m talking about really looking at your layout, navigation, and content as though you had never seen them before.
Does anyone else struggle with pouring fluids into their car, or is it just me? Whether it’s oil, antifreeze, or windshield washer fluid, the first ounce or two always ends up all over the engine before I successfully pour it into it’s reservoir or tank.
We see beautiful expensive websites every day that don’t produce. By that I mean, they don’t bring in leads or sales. They do not convert.
Think about your favorite store for a moment. It’s the first place you go when you need to buy a particular item. You’ve probably got different favorites for clothing, electronics, groceries, etc.