Sep 24, 2009

Utilizing Usability

“Usability” is a word used ad-nauseum in the web development world. Since most of us spend all day navigating and constructing sites, it’s easy to assume just about anyone can be an expert in usability if they’re even half aware of what makes a good or bad site.

Smashing Magazine, however, published an interesting article Thursday on uncommon findings about usability.

faces

The list includes some interesting psychological research results like the fact that people look at images of other people’s faces – and then whatever those faces are pointing at.

Another surprising find was, according to a Jakob Nielsen study, 77 percent of web users do not scroll when visiting a site for the first time. This makes the phrase “above the fold” as important for web designers as it is for print.

Check out the rest of the article for more tidbits and facts, such as why all your links should be blue and why users ignore your advertising.

  • http://notreason.com/?p=891 On Web Page Usability | No Treason

    [...] Utilizing Usability [...]

  • http://blogcampaigning.com Parker

    Great find, Alexis. Reading that article on Smashing made me want to design “the perfect blog” – one that incorporates everything that they talked about.

  • http://blogcampaigning.com Parker

    Great find, Alexis. Reading that article on Smashing made me want to design “the perfect blog” – one that incorporates everything that they talked about.

  • http://www.managemyproperty.com Jordan | Manage my property

    Interesting article but I don’t think all the conclusions are original. Smashing magazine has mastered the art of link bait and I think they are covering (at least partially) some old ground here. Its still helpful information though.

    Future now is a great site for usability and conversion rate optimization issues.

    http://www.futurenowinc.com

  • http://www.managemyproperty.com Jordan | Manage my property

    Interesting article but I don’t think all the conclusions are original. Smashing magazine has mastered the art of link bait and I think they are covering (at least partially) some old ground here. Its still helpful information though.

    Future now is a great site for usability and conversion rate optimization issues.

    http://www.futurenowinc.com

  • http://www.smalldog-training.com/ Small Dog Training

    Great post Alex and very informativ stuff I learnd a lot from this,thank you and keep up a good work.

  • http://www.smalldog-training.com/ Small Dog Training

    Great post Alex and very informativ stuff I learnd a lot from this,thank you and keep up a good work.

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