1. Web Content Development Dr. Komlodi Class 15: Web usability

2. Exam 1 Distribution

3. Usability Definition • After all, usability really means making sure that something works well: that a person of average (or even below average) ability and experience can use the thing … for its intended purpose without getting hopelessly frustrated. Steve Krug

4. Nielsen’s Usability Definition • Five quality components: • Learnability: How easy is it for users to accomplish basic tasks the first time they encounter the design? • Efficiency: Once users have learned the design, how quickly can they perform tasks? • Memorability: When users return to the design after a period of not using it, how easily can they reestablish proficiency? • Errors: How many errors do users make, how severe are these errors, and how easily can they recover from the errors? • Satisfaction: How pleasant is it to use the design? • http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20030825.html

5. Nielsen’s Usability Definition • How do you measure them? • Learnability: time of first use, errors, success • Efficiency: time, error, outcome success Once users have learned the design, how quickly can they perform tasks? • Memorability: test after some time, time, success, When users return to the design after a period of not using it, how easily can they reestablish proficiency? • Errors: observe, record, How many errors do users make, how severe are these errors, and how easily can they recover from the errors? • Satisfaction: survey, ratings, interview, observation, How pleasant is it to use the design?

6. Krug’s 1st Law of Usability • Don’t make me think! • Web pages should be self-evident, or at least self-explanatory • Most people are going to spend far less time looking at the pages we design than we’d like to think

7. A Very Bad Example http://www.gaia-group.com/index2.htm

8. Krug’s Web Design Guidelines • Create a clear visual hierarchy on each page (using size, positioning, nesting) • The more important something is, the more prominent it is. • Things that are related logically are also related visually. • Things are “nested” visually to show what’s part of what. • Take advantage of conventions (especially labels and navigation) • Break up pages into clearly defined areas • Make it obvious what is clickable • Keep the noise down

9. 1 Visual Hierarchy, 2 Conventions, 3 Clearly Defined Areas

10. What is Clickable? • Avoid using graphics as links

11. About the Home Page Answers five questions:1. What is this [site about]? 2. What do they have here? 3. What can I do here? 4. Why should I be here -and not somewhere else? 5. Where do I start? • Content • Site identity and mission: the tagline and welcome blurb • Global Navigation (Site hierarchy) • Search • Teases • Timely content • Deals • Shortcuts • Registration

13. Nielsen’s Home Page Design Guidelines • Make the site's purpose clear: Explain who you are and what you do • Include a one-sentence tagline • Write a window title with good visibility in search engines and bookmark lists • Group all corporate information in one distinct area • Help users find what they need • Emphasize the site's top high-priority tasks • Include a search input box

14. Nielsen’s Home Page Design Guidelines (Cont.) • Reveal site content • Show examples of real site content • Begin link names with the most important keyword • Offer easy access to recent homepage features • Use visual design to enhance, not define, interaction design • Don't over-format critical content, such as navigation areas • Use meaningful graphics • Nielsen: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20020512.html

15. PWU Rules of Usability • Do not use “Under Construction”, it is either there or not • Make sure links change color when visited • Allow your users to use the “Back” button • Do not open a new browser window. (But maybe a new tab?) • Do not use pop-up windows unless to display a small amount of supplementary information • Do not include design elements that look like ads • Follow web standards • User direct language and high quality writing

16. PWU (Less Important) Rules of Usability • These rules have lost importance during the past few years because of advances in technology • Slow download time – do not include many graphics or highly interactive content • Do not user frames • Do not use Macromedia Flash • Make sure your search engine is set up correctly and does not return irrelevant or low-relevancy items • Do not include multimedia or long videos • Do not use fixed-width content elements that create frozen layouts • Test your design across platforms and browsers

17. PWU Rules of Usability • Make sure you make links look clickable • If possible, avoid long scrolling pages • If you require registration make sure it is worth it for your users • Do not use complex URL-s • Avoid complex pull-down or cascading menus

18. Usability Exercise • Work in teams of three • Find an especially badly designed site (but not a spam site) • Use the usability guidelines covered in today’s class to critique the site • Post you critique on the Blackboard discussion board for this exercise