Ignore Usability Testing at Your Own Risk
While more web site development companies understand why human factors web design contributes to long term business and brand success, there are still those not investing and taking risks. In my latest column for Search Engine Land, I describe the risks of not performing site testing during the developmental stages of web site design. The testing I recommend is not just on functional or server performance. I would like to see every department, from search engine marketing, to software...
Read MoreWeb Accessibility: A Shared Responsibility
My friend, Joe Dolson, is my accessibility guru. Here is a new slideshow he has put up on Slideshare. Web Accessibility: A Shared Responsibility View more presentations from Joseph Dolson To learn more from Joe - Joe...
Read MoreLow Income Disabled Persons Prevented From Internet Use
As a user advocate, one of my personal concerns with web design and programming is making web sites and applications accessible to everybody. That includes disabled persons and those who rely on mobile or smaller devices to use the Internet. It’s a very hard sell. While I always plant seeds with my clients, it’s a rare one that wants to purposely go over their code to be sure it meets disability standards (aka “Section 508″ and “PAS 78″). Or, someone will...
Read MoreThe You-Don’t-Matter Website (A Look At Ego/Vanity Sites)
Last week I conducted a web site usability audit for a famous brand corporate web site. It never fails to amaze me why these companies don’t hire designers trained in search engine marketing and user experience design. I won’t divulge who they were. I never do that with client work because for starters, they had the brains to find me and get help. But what I found illustrated what I often find on corporate, famous brand web sites. There seems to be this arrogance that says,...
Read MoreEmergency Usability Help!
I have some free time between now and March 19 to squeeze in up to 5 Small Business Edge Web Site Usability Reviews, at $300 each. First come, first serve! Other add-ons available, such as SEO and Accessibility, at discounted prices. These will take a little longer but you can order and pay now and get locked into the Time Line. Learn more about the Small Business Edge here. Perfect for an emergency fix! Also available for enterprise businesses, Requirements Gathering and Documentation,...
Read MoreInterview with Sugarrae, How to Fight Nice, and Getting Sued for Negative Publicity Online
I’m pleased with how my Interview with Rae Hoffman aka “Sugarrae” went. I’m a working mother with spouse, house, pets, and lots of commitments and responsibilities. I’ve long dreamed of having my own office outside my home. Rae has achieved milestones and worked harder than most might in her set of circumstances. On affliliate marketing, Rae states: I see those who “get” the challenges coming up getting pretty damn sophisticated at what they do, myself...
Read MoreAngry? Destroy Their Reputation Online!
An old friend once told me back in 1995, “Assume that every email you send will eventually land on the lunchroom bulletin board for everyone to see.” It was great advice for email. It’s even better advice for blogs. Miffed at someone? Kill them with words. With the Web as ammo, it’s easy to wreck someone’s job, life and reputation. Google has a great memory. Glen Allsopp wrote about three women who went off to raise a little hell at their boyfriends in A New...
Read MoreI’ve Come to Have a Debate
If you’re bored, here are some interesting topics generating discussion: Phocus, Phocus, Phocus – Was the creation of Sphinn a good strategic decision? Why Usability is the Path to Failure If usability is such a base level thing that everyone knows, how come so any people get it wrong? How come so many people have trouble using a site? The Best Websites Are Useful And Ugly I actually have a client who swears by having an ugly site helps them sell more – as it gives the...
Read MoreZeldman and VW Bug Memories
I can relate to two things this weekend. First, Jeffrey Zeldman celebrates 12 years on the web. Congratulations Zeldman. You’ve always been a constant inspiration and source for web development industry information delivered with great class and an amazing ability to say volumes with few words. He writes, The web found me and claimed me. Everything else followed. Maybe you feel that way, too. I do. Secondly, I learned that a friend not only loves classic VW Beetles, but has one of his...
Read MoreThe First Scholarship Winners Chosen for Cre8asiteForums Educational Fund
Soon after learning they were chosen by Cre8asiteforums to offer a scholarship fund for their college, The Search Engine College doubled our offer by creating a second scholarship for the same amount of money. This allowed two members of Cre8asiteforum members (not a requirement for the scholarship. That’s up to the facility to choose), to be notified today that they were chosen to participate. Kalena Jordan announces the first winner in Cre8asiteforums Educational Scholarship Fund...
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