Principles in Web Design Accommodating the User

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Principles in Web Design Accommodating the User

• Adapted from Web Design The Complete Reference,
  by Thomas Powell

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Take-away Value

• While looks matter at first, users will probably
  come to focus less on the site's visuals as they
  continue to use the site. When a user exits a
  site, they leave with what might be called a
  take-away value, a basic feeling of how
  successful the site visit was.
• Rule The site's take-away value is influenced by
  visuals, content, technology, usability, and goal
  accomplishment.
• While the take-away value includes more than just
  a user's opinion of a site's look, never
  underestimate the importance of visuals on the
  Web.

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Utility / Usability

• A good website should provide both utility and
  usability
• Utility performs functions that the user wants
  to accomplish
• Usability allows the user to perform these
  functions quickly and easily

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Looks Matter

• While navigability and utility/usability matter,
  the first impression a user will receive will be
  visual
• Visuals heavily influence a users initial
  perception of a sites value
• A sites execution should be nearly flawless no
  broken links, no dysfunctional images, no typos
  (insofar as this is possible)

Figure 1-5.Which site is "better"? Which site is 
more trustworthy?
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Usability Alternative Definition

• Nielsen suggests that the following five ideas
  determine the usability of a site
• Learnability
• Rememberability
• Efficiency of use
• Reliability in use
• User satisfaction
• By this definition, a site is usable if it is
  easy to learn, easy to remember how to use,
  efficient to use (doesn't require a lot of work
  on the part of the user), reliable in that it
  works correctly and helps users perform tasks
  correctly, and the user is generally satisfied
  using the site.
• Rule Usability and user satisfaction are
  directly related.

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The User

• Suggestion There are no generic people. Always
  try to envision a real person visiting your site.
• You are NOT the User Accept the fact that many
  users will not necessarily have intimate
  knowledge of the site you have so carefully
  crafted. They may not even have the same
  interests as you.
• Try to give the user as a great a sense of
  control as possible

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Audience Competence

• Suggestion Aim to create an adaptive Web site
  that meets the requirements of novices,
  intermediates, and advanced users.
• Suggestion Design for the intermediate user if
  an adaptive Web interface is not possible.

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Memory

• Dont rely too heavily on the users memory - a
  user is not going to spend a great deal of time
  to figure something out unless there is a really
  attractive payoff.
• Users try to maximize gain and minimize work.
• Do not make visited links the same style or color
  as unvisited ones, as it forces the user to
  memorize where they have been.
• Since it is easier to remember visuals, make
  pages that should be remembered visually
  different from the rest.
• Limit groups of similar choices such as links to
  59 items

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Accessibility

• From the W3C guides, you should always consider
  that users may have different operating
  constraints
• They may not be able to see, hear, or move
  easily, or may not be able to process some types
  of information easily (or even at all).
• They may have difficulty reading or
  comprehending text because of language
  knowledge.
• They may not be able to use a keyboard or mouse
  because of access method (e.g., cell phone) or
  physical disability.
• They may have a less than ideal access
  environment such as a text-only screen, a small
  screen, a screen without color, or a slow
  Internet connection.
• They may be accessing the site in a nonstandard
  environment where they may be affected by
  environment considerations, like accessing the
  Web in a noisy cybercafe or as they drive a
  car.
• They may have an older browser, a nonstandard
  browser or operating system, or use an
  alternative form of user interface such as voice
  access.

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User Environment

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Web Conventions
Rule Do not stray from the common interface
conventions established by heavily used
sites.
Table 3-3. Some Common Web Conventions
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Web Conventions in Action
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Graphics Tips

• Suggestion Avoid using text, graphics, and
  backgrounds of similar hue.
• Suggestion Avoid combining text, graphics, and
  backgrounds of similar saturation.
• Rule Keep contrast high. Avoid using text,
  graphics, and background of similar lightness.
• Suggestion Avoid using busy background tiles.
• Rule Make sure colors that are meant to
  distinguish items like links are significantly
  different in two ways, such as hue and lightness.