How to improve website usabilityMain findings & conclusions

from the MOU seminar

Ivana DoulgerofManagement Organisation UnitProgramming & Communication UnitINFORM meeting, 27/11/2008

Why we organised the seminar

Effective O.P. websites

•Design a new portal on NSRF

- with appealing & quality content

- according to the “new” media format

• Usability “gurus”

• Target group: MOU + 38 special services (120 information + IT officers)

• 3 days - 3 subjects:– Writing for the web– Web usability– Intranet usability

How we organised the seminar

• Planning a website

• Content - information architecture

• Design - useful tips

Findings

Source: Norman Nielsen Group

–User Testing–Eye tracking–Field Studies–Diary Studies–Scoring tasks

Planning a website (1)

– Define your audience / target group & their goals

– Consider the users’ needs & balance business and users’ needs

Write for the audience

– Always plan the site on paper– Organise / categorise content– Editorial team / content

manager– Processes for content review – Content style guidelines

Planning a website (2)

Content

• Concise

• Scannable

• Objective

• Crystal clear

Write, rewrite, edit, proofread,

test with users

Writing for the web (1)

• Time is currency, users do not read, they scan. Use:

– scannable headings / subheadings (they need to tell the story ) / summaries

– bulleted lists– white space, large fonts / possibility to resize– relevant links which look like links with

correct titles – inverted pyramid for text body (important

things at the beginning)– short texts = readable

Less is

more

Users read in an F-shaped pattern.

Rule of twos – First 2:

– words– lines – paragraphs

1st sentence of the paragraph must contain the main idea -Important words first

Writing for the web (2)

Write content for a 13 year-old child

• Simplified writing, less formal, no dialects, no jargon.

– avoid acronyms, abbreviations, teasers, clichés– use active voice– put statements into positive form– use conventional spelling / words– be careful with humour

Writing for the web (3)

The designer has to understand the website.

• Apply consistent elements & templates

• Follow standards

• Ensure text legibility

• Avoid many navigation bars / cascading menus

• Provide graphics & other media content sparingly

• Avoid banners (banner blindness)

Design

The site is not your art project

Provide:• Help, on line documentation, signposts• Filtering (drilling down approach,

progressive disclosure)• Suggestion links • Human contact information (physical

address, tel.) / help desk• Space targeted to the media • Reliable search facilities / searchable

databases

Design: guiding the user

Useful tools should be in a prominent position, don’t hide them

Other findings / tips

• Don’t open new browser windows (except for PDF, emails, applets)

• Don’t break the “back button”

• Don’t immediately request “log in”

• Installing software may cause stress to the user & break their workflow

• Collect data: statistic ratings, user feedback

Users want to be in control

Enhance credibility• Professional, usable design and content

• More objective style, not “marketese”

• Associate with something trusted (i.e. projects, best practices, real users’ experience, contact area, photos of employees)

• Supporting evidence

• Update regularly / Change the homepage every 3 years

• Maintain the site at all times

• Register the site / promote

Template 1

Template 2

• Apply recommendations on existing sites

• Create style guidelines

• Design portal according to web guidelines

• Test website usability

• Organise new usability seminars

Our future actions

Thank youfor your attention

idoulgerof@mou.gr