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 MoreTo Underline or Not Underline Links
As visually entertaining the latest trends in web design may be, there are a few usability walls we run into while reading. One is the appearance of a hyperlink. Should you underline a text link? These days it’s not the only way to signal a place to click. Other clues may be a different text color, font size or hover color. Your best choice is to pick one style and be consistent through out your web pages. Does underlining words that don’t link anywhere matter? On the Web, yes....
Read MoreHow Does Your Web Site Make Visitors Feel?
I’ve been exploring and researching the relationship between computers and people. More specifically, I’m fascinated by web sites and how, or if, they affect us emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. As a web site designer, what special power do you hold in your artistic hands? As a blogger, what kind of reaction are you seeking from readers? As a well branded company, are there in-house human instabilities that can be sensed by your online consumers? A change in...
Read MoreSave Money on Your Search Engine Strategies Conference New York Trip
I’m thrilled to tell you that as Founder and Owner of Cre8asiteforums, I can offer Cre8asiteforums members 20% off your registration fee for the next Search Engine Strategies Conference to be held in New York City in March. Visit Cre8asiteforums to sign up as a new member and register for the conference using your 20% off code. The New York Search Engine Strategies conference is one of the largest of their global events. This year’s keynote speaker is a true genius! This is your...
Read MoreCommon Web Site Usability Mistakes
When you built your first web site, didn’t you just want to promote it everywhere with big bold letters saying, “HEY EVERYONE! COME HERE AND LOOK AT MY WEBSITE! ISN’T IT GREAT?” Or, when you submit your web site to forums for web site reviews, what do you typically ask for? You may write, “Tell me what you think of my web site” or “Which color do you like better, blue or red?” or “Did I optimize for search engines properly?” The worst mistake you will make as a web site...
Read MoreYou Had Me At the Search Engines
You’ve likely heard of the movie, Jerry Maguire, with its famous line, “You had me at hello.” Jerry Maguire was luckier than web sites we find in search engines. Many web sites don’t attract user devotion at the first word, let alone after scanning the home page. How many times has this scenario happened to you? You’ve performed a search in a search engine or directory, reviewed the results and found a page description that fits what you were looking for. When you click on the page...
Read MoreOn a WordPress Kick
I’ve been teaching myself new things lately and one of them is getting away from the Thesis theme I traditionally use, and trying out other blog themes. That’s why this site looks different. So does Cre8asiteforums. The new forums home page is in limbo and not finished yet, but it looks far better than the previous home page did. Not only are themes interesting to get to know, but so are new CSS3 tricks. I’m not much a designer. Other people have artistic talent. For me,...
Read MoreTop Ten Must Have Books on Usability and Search Engine Optimization
The only that pours slower than molasses is universal acceptance of how well search engine marketing and user experience design work together. How long have I been writing here on the topic? Eleven years. Five people actually get it. Interest in the Usability and SEO combo is growing but mostly from the search engine marketing camp. Some of the more famous of my friends in the SEO industry have been including usability audits with their services for years. A few won’t even take on...
Read MoreSearch Engines Are Like Home Delivery Trucks
While thinking about recent news surrounding the latest algorithm changes Google made and pondering something Matt Cutts has been saying about search, a picture came to my mind of a Google person arriving at my house delivering search results all packaged up for just me. The only thing missing was a little card. Perhaps someday search will be so intimately tuned in to us that such a personalized delivery of information will be possible. Of course, to do this, we’ll give up our privacy...
Read MoreEvaluating Your Web Site Goals
One of my tasks when performing web site usability audits is understanding the goals and objectives its owner has in mind for it. Typically I can tell from some designs this wasn’t out from the beginning, so here is a quick review. Get Organized When you first sat down to consider your plans, did you think about your business requirements? Why do you want a web site? What do you hope to accomplish? How will you do this? Some example business requirements may be: Increase the...
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