Transcript Διαφάνεια 1
How to improve website usability Main findings & conclusions from the MOU seminar Ivana Doulgerof Management Organisation Unit Programming & Communication Unit INFORM 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 How we organised the seminar • Usability “gurus” • Target group: MOU + 38 special services (120 information + IT officers) • 3 days - 3 subjects: – Writing for the web – Web usability – Intranet usability Findings • Planning a website • Content - information architecture • Design - useful tips 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 Planning a website (2) – – – – – Always plan the site on paper Organise / categorise content Editorial team / content manager Processes for content review Content style guidelines 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 Writing for the web (2) Users read in an Fshaped 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 (3) • 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 Write content for a 13 year-old child Design 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) The site is not your art project Design: guiding the user 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 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 Our future actions • Apply recommendations on existing sites • Create style guidelines • Design portal according to web guidelines • Test website usability • Organise new usability seminars Thank you for your attention [email protected]