How to improve website usability

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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Findings • Planning a website • Content - information architecture • Design - useful tips Source:Norman Nielsen Group • User Testing • Eye tracking • Field Studies • Diary Studies • Scoring tasks

5. Planning a website(1) • Define your audience / target group & their goals • Consider the users’ needs & balance business and users’ needs Write for the audience

6. Planning a website(2) • Always plan the site on paper • Organise / categorise content • Editorial team / content manager • Processesfor content review • Content style guidelines

7. Content • Concise • Scannable • Objective • Crystal clear Write, rewrite, edit, proofread, test with users

8. 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 ismore

9. Writing for the web(2) 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

10. 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

11. 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 contentsparingly • Avoid banners (banner blindness) The site is not your art project

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

17. Template 1

18. Template 2

22. Our future actions • Apply recommendations on existing sites • Create style guidelines • Design portal according to web guidelines • Test website usability • Organise new usability seminars

23. Thank you for your attention idoulgerof@mou.gr