|
Posted 1/30/2009 by Raina, Project Mgr
|
| |
Most people are visiting your Web site for the content. When I say “content” I’m referring to the actual information on your site. People will try to find your content and the names of buttons, images, forms, and navigation all play an important role. Content, navigation and images all go hand-in-hand, playing a major role in Web usability.
Your Web site will be well-received by users if the content:
1. answers a question or helps them complete a task
2. is easy to find and easy to understand
3. is accurate, up-to-date, and credible
4. images are obvious and related to the topic
Web users skim and scan pages for information pertinent to the topic they are looking for. Eventually, Web users do read the content but it’s not until they find the topic they are interested in; pursuing the Web page’s links, headings, short descriptions, bulleted lists, and so on---all very quickly.
A few colleagues in the Web industry volunteered to send me pages of their Web sites for content/navigation recommendations. I’ve highlighted both pros (green boxes) and cons (red boxes). Keep in mind my recommendations are brief and solely based on the organization of the content, not the actual content itself.
Example 1 – A Technology Tamers Web Site
Although the content on this page is quite thorough, if you visit the page, you’ll notice it’s quite long. (despite my screenshot)
- Review content for fluff and remove it
- Use anchored lists of questions/topics at the top of the page (this will help
users find the information they are looking for quickly)
- Use bullets/numbers for appropriate content
- Organize content in a way that makes sense to the user
Example 2 – Ayurvedic Web Site
- Consider using limited font sizes and styles, too much can clutter the page and
make your content difficult to readAlways gather feedback from other Web
users. Ask them if you site is easy to navigation and if the content is easy to
read?
- Use images that users can relate to and if a product image include captions
and link to the product details
- Breadcrumb navigation is helpful for users to know where they are at on the site
To create a Web site that communicates well, you must think about who you are communicating with. Understanding your audience is critical in while deciding how to
Share: 
rating:
|
|
Posted 1/9/2009 by Raina, Project Mgr
|
| |
Copywriting for the Web is very different than copywriting for print. First and foremost, depending on your scenario make sure you do your research. If you hiring a copywriter to write content for your Web site make sure they have experience with Web copywriting. Or if you are writing your own content for your Web site make sure that these best practices of Web copywriting are followed:
Web site Users Don’t Read Your Web Pages
Your Web site visitors rarely read your Web pages word by word; instead, they scan the page, picking and choosing individual words and sentences. In research on how people read Websites it’s determined that 79 percent of our users scan and only 16 percent read word-by-word.
A new study has been released that users read email newsletters even more abruptly than Web site pages concluding that emailed newsletters are the best way to maintain customer relationships on the Internet.
Scannable Text is the Most Effective Way to Communicate
Depending on the content depends on how it is organized. Make it your Web content user friendly so your users can find the information they are looking for easily.
- Highlight keywords (hypertext links serve as one form of highlighting; typeface variations and color are others)
- Use clear and concise sub-headings (avoid "clever" ones)
- Apply bulleted lists where appropriate (for example, like this list)
- Emphasize one idea per paragraph (users will skip over any additional ideas if your information is cluttered)
- Write using the inverted pyramid style, starting with the conclusion (opposite of what you were taught in grade school)
- Minimize your letters/words (too much information will overwhelm your user, say straight and to the point, as if you were breaking up with someone)
Credibility is Key
Your Web users may questions as to where the information on your site came from and whether it’s legit or a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. You can increase credibility by using high-quality graphics, excellent writing and outbound hypertext links. Including links to other sites showing other legitimate authors who have done their homework can help. 
Stay tuned for part 2 of Effective Copywriting for the Web. Next up, I’ll provide examples of improved copy for the web. Feel free to post comments to any web pages you’d be interested in my feedback on or find me on Twitter.
Share:
rating:
|
Posted 12/22/2008 by Declan, Acct Mgr
|
| |
New guidelines boost web access http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7789622.stm.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has announced a new standard to make sites more accessible to older and disabled people.
Version 2.0 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) will apply to text, images, audio and video. It also covers web applications and is said to give developers more flexibility than the old guidelines. According to the consortium, WCAG 2.0 should also be easier to understand and use. The guidance is designed to address barriers encountered by people with visual, hearing, physical, cognitive and neurological disabilities and older people with access needs.
WCAG 2.0 explains how to make content:
- Perceivable - including descriptive text for images, audio captions, flexibility of layout and color contrast
- Operable - making sites usable with keyboards and improving navigation
- Understandable - making content easier to read and input more logical
- Robust - ensuring that content and applications are compatible with assistive technology such as screen readers and magnifiers
The videos are very interesting as they show how people with different types of disabilites navigate the sites we build, along with the issues they have trying to access information.
Video 1 (Shopping online for blind people)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7792662.stm
Visually impaired tester Hazel Dudley uses the Jaws voice system to find out how easy it is to surf price comparison sites. Her ratings are personal and do not represent a scientific appraisal of the site.
Video 2 (How dyslexia affects e-shopping)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7792667.stm
Tester Chris Markley shows how his dyslexia inhibits his ability to use price comparison sites. His ratings are personal and do not represent a scientific appraisal of the sites.
Video 3 (How limb pain limits web surfing)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7792671.stm
Tester Nicola Keary's non-specific arm pain (formerly known as repetitive strain injury), reduces her ability to use some price comparison sites. Her ratings are personal and do not represent a scientific appraisal of the sites. Since this trial was filmed, confused.com has redesigned its website to cater more for people with disabilities.
Share:
rating:
|
Posted 1/25/2008 by PeterV, VP, Marketing
|
| |
I'm addicted to Green Tree, the Chinese restaurant across from our office. I'm in there so much the lady behind the counter gave me these really nice chopsticks. Either she likes me or realized the impact I was having on their bottom line by taking disposables everyday.
So today, in addition to the pork chow mein and wonton soup, I got an interesting fortune. It says "Every person is the architect of his own fortune." Well then what are we paying you for, Confucius?
The cookie, while stale as usual, got me thinking about information architecture, and the important role it plays in a successful Web site development. We made a big push last year to include IA on every project, and you can really see the difference it makes.
A little background for those of you staring blankly at the screen right now who though architects were only for new home construction. Information architecture (IA) is the science of organizing Web sites and other interactive media to maximize results. With a focus on optimizing the project’s usability, it goes beyond basic content organization by creating an intuitive navigational structure and highly effective user interface design that is tailored to your target audience.
According to Forrester Research, Poorly architected retailing sites are underselling by as much as 50%! What might look good aesthetically might not perform the best in the real world. IA is all about helping move people through your site and finding that all important call to action.
So take it from my fortune cookie...don't leave the architecture to the designers, programmers, sales staff, or anyone else. You, and your IA staff, are the architect of your Web site's fortune.
...in bed.
Share:
rating:
