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Web Usability
Goal : Your average user can use it without frustration.
Usability guidelines:
 Don’t make users think.

Avoid obscure messages.
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We don’t read pages, we scan them
 We are usually in a hurry.
 We know we don’t need to read everything.
 We are good at it.
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Brochure / Billboard
 Convey message quickly.
 Create visual hierarchy on each page.
Font sizes
Group related things
Nested blocks
 Take advantage of conventions.
 Minimize noise.
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What we see on a page depends on what we have in mind
We tend to focus on words/phrases that seem to match
 Task on hand.
 Current / Ongoing personal Interests.
 Trigger words that are hardwired into our nervous systems like
Free
Sale
Se
Our own name.
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Homepage
Different from all other pages.
 It communicates the site’s value and purpose.
 Shows all major options available on the site.
 Enable access to home page from any other page.
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Navigation
We don’t make optimal choices, we satisfice.
 Back button is the most used feature.
 Navigation links: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary..
 Page names are like street signs of the web.
 Bread crumbs.
You are here: Home > Gallery > Art > Photography > Nature
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Usability Testing
 Iterative design approach.
 Create prototypes.
 Wireframes.
 Study: 30% more task completions on sites redesigned following usability rules.
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Conclusion
 No single way to design, but follow the rules.
 Watch for the trend, don’t copy.
 Your competition is just one click away, don’t frustrate your users.
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Reference / Further reading
 Don’t make me think – Steve Krug.
 http://usability.gov/guidelines/index.html (research based guidelines)
 http://www.useit.com (Jakob Nielsen)
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