UX Blog » guidelines http://uxblog.co.uk The ux blog/tweet dump of User Experience specialist Barry Briggs Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:38:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 The customer is a stranger http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/07/19/the-customer-is-a-stranger-htt/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/07/19/the-customer-is-a-stranger-htt/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:02:00 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/07/19/the-customer-is-a-stranger-htt/ The customer is a stranger

http://is.gd/dy6CJ

from @gerrymcgovern

It’s rude to ask your customers too much, too soon. Some great insights.

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/07/19/the-customer-is-a-stranger-htt/feed/ 0 Principle of least astonishment http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/21/principle-of-least-astonishmen/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/21/principle-of-least-astonishmen/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:57:11 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/21/principle-of-least-astonishmen/ Principle of least astonishment

http://bit.ly/cNIMfn

(from @viborc on uxpassion.com)

Great concept but some case studies would make the article a bit more relevant #ux

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/21/principle-of-least-astonishmen/feed/ 0 Web-Analytics and User-testing… http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/17/web-analytics-and-user-testing/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/17/web-analytics-and-user-testing/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:03:14 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/17/web-analytics-and-user-testing/ Web-Analytics and User-testing: “What five users can tell you that 5000 cannot”

http://bit.ly/8YiVuW

(measuringusability.com) (via @IATV)

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/17/web-analytics-and-user-testing/feed/ 0 My Xth Design http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/15/my-xth-design-httpbit-ly9/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/15/my-xth-design-httpbit-ly9/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:26:44 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/15/my-xth-design-httpbit-ly9/ My Xth Design.

http://bit.ly/96KiRw

(via @lukewdesign)

Nice overview of the iterative nature of design

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/06/15/my-xth-design-httpbit-ly9/feed/ 0 Mobile checkouts: ten best practice tips http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/18/mobile-checkouts-ten-best-pra/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/18/mobile-checkouts-ten-best-pra/#comments Tue, 18 May 2010 12:25:14 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/18/mobile-checkouts-ten-best-pra/ Mobile checkouts: ten best practice tips

http://bit.ly/9ZsQrO

from @econsultancy #ux

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/18/mobile-checkouts-ten-best-pra/feed/ 0 12 tips for writing in-context UI instructions http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/17/new-article-the-small-print/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/17/new-article-the-small-print/#comments Mon, 17 May 2010 16:19:28 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/17/new-article-the-small-print/ New article: The Small Print – Writing UI Instructions – 12 tips for writing in-context UI instructions

http://uxm.ag/c2

#ux (via @uxmag)

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/17/new-article-the-small-print/feed/ 0 Checkout optimisation: 17 posts to help improve conversions http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/14/checkout-optimisation-17-post/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/14/checkout-optimisation-17-post/#comments Fri, 14 May 2010 12:10:11 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/14/checkout-optimisation-17-post/ Checkout optimisation: 17 posts to help improve conversions

http://bit.ly/cVuH1t

(from @Econsultancy via @Pod1) #ux

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/14/checkout-optimisation-17-post/feed/ 0 How to Reduce Shopping Cart Abandonment: 10 No-Brainers http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/13/how-to-reduce-shopping-cart-ab/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/13/how-to-reduce-shopping-cart-ab/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 13:58:42 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/13/how-to-reduce-shopping-cart-ab/ How to Reduce Shopping Cart Abandonment: 10 No-Brainers

http://bit.ly/alj7hu

(via @UXTweets)

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/13/how-to-reduce-shopping-cart-ab/feed/ 0 Do you need a random sample for your usability test? http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/13/do-you-need-a-random-sample-fo/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/13/do-you-need-a-random-sample-fo/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 10:08:19 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/13/do-you-need-a-random-sample-fo/ Do you need a random sample for your usability test?

http://bit.ly/byjnve

Some problems with user testing are not exclusive to #ux

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/13/do-you-need-a-random-sample-fo/feed/ 0 Guiding Principles for #UX Designers http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/10/guiding-principles-for-ux-des/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/10/guiding-principles-for-ux-des/#comments Mon, 10 May 2010 10:35:26 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/10/guiding-principles-for-ux-des/ Guiding Principles for #UX Designers

http://bit.ly/b3HdPR

via @UXTweets

Well considered set of points, always worth remembering.

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/05/10/guiding-principles-for-ux-des/feed/ 0 5 Most Obvious Website Usability Issues http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/03/09/5-most-obvious-website-usabili/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/03/09/5-most-obvious-website-usabili/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:48:36 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/03/09/5-most-obvious-website-usabili/ 5 Most Obvious Website Usability Issues

http://bit.ly/4Yzbik

(via @UXTweets)

Obvious maybe, but always worth reiterating #ux

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/03/09/5-most-obvious-website-usabili/feed/ 0 A closer look at the iPad user interface http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/02/16/a-closer-look-at-the-ipad-user/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/02/16/a-closer-look-at-the-ipad-user/#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:26:24 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/02/16/a-closer-look-at-the-ipad-user/ A closer look at the iPad user interface

http://is.gd/8vXXh

@mobcomp

some nice #ux touches highlighted

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2010/02/16/a-closer-look-at-the-ipad-user/feed/ 0 Best ways to perform usability testing http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/16/best-ways-to-perform-web-usabi/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/16/best-ways-to-perform-web-usabi/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:11:26 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/16/best-ways-to-perform-web-usabi/ Best ways to perform web usability testing

http://bit.ly/8gASE2

via @UXTweets

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/16/best-ways-to-perform-web-usabi/feed/ 0 Nice article about some usability basics http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/09/nice-article-about-some-usabil/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/09/nice-article-about-some-usabil/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:38:23 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/09/nice-article-about-some-usabil/ Nice article about some usability basics with a He-man theme :)

http://tinyurl.com/yjdrnqf

via @dav_hamill

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/09/nice-article-about-some-usabil/feed/ 0 Minimizing Complexity In User Interfaces http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/07/clean-easy-to-use-user-frien/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/07/clean-easy-to-use-user-frien/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:00:36 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/07/clean-easy-to-use-user-frien/ Clean. Easy to Use. User-Friendly. Intuitive -> Minimizing Complexity In User Interfaces

http://bit.ly/Cp6H

via @designblend

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/07/clean-easy-to-use-user-frien/feed/ 0 What makes a website successful? http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/04/what-makes-a-website-successfu/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/04/what-makes-a-website-successfu/#comments Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:24:47 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/04/what-makes-a-website-successfu/ What makes a website successful?

http://is.gd/5c6ST

Great article from @boagworld – reiterates some of the basics that often get forgotten.

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/04/what-makes-a-website-successfu/feed/ 0 10 Simple Web Accessibility Tips You Can Do Today http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/04/10-simple-web-accessibility-ti/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/04/10-simple-web-accessibility-ti/#comments Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:22:57 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/04/10-simple-web-accessibility-ti/ 10 Simple Web Accessibility Tips You Can Do Today

http://is.gd/5c4iR via @sixrevisions

#ux #accessibility

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/12/04/10-simple-web-accessibility-ti/feed/ 0 Providing contact details http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/06/15/providing-contact-details/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/06/15/providing-contact-details/#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:09:39 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/?p=161 Here’s a great article from David Hamill at http://www.goodusability.co.uk/ on the value and importance of having clear and accurate contact details on your site:

http://www.goodusability.co.uk/2009/06/providing-contact-details/

The key points he makes are that

  1. It’s cheaper when customers use the website
  2. The public are getting wise to poor customer service

he also goes on to discuss the visibility and positioning of contact numbers, email addresses and suchlike.

Me makes a number of very sensible points and large companies would do well to heed his advice.

Original article: http://www.goodusability.co.uk/2009/06/providing-contact-details/

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/06/15/providing-contact-details/feed/ 1 10 Recipes for Persuasive Content http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/01/26/10-recipes-for-persuasive-content/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/01/26/10-recipes-for-persuasive-content/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:38:32 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/?p=112 This article by Colleen Jones in UX Matters gives some well-considered pointers for writing effective, engaging, and more importantly, persuasive content for your website.

Original article: http://www.uxmatters.com/mt/archives/2008/12/ten-recipes-for-persuasive-content.php

In many of my columns, I have touted the importance of persuasive, or influential, content and shared relevant theories and arguments, sprinkling in some practical tips and examples along the way.

The article elaborates a number of points, outlined below, with sensible examples were appropriate.

  1. Talk like a person
  2. Establish credibility
  3. Use the right tone for the brand or situation
  4. Be courteous in your timing and placement of content
  5. Remind customers of differentiators and benefits
  6. Appeal to both the left and the right brain—the rational and the emotional
  7. Tell stories
  8. Consider using metaphors
  9. Avoid cheap tricks
  10. Don’t forget to use images, video, speech, and audio

 

Selected screen-shots

Figure 8—A subtle reminder on an interstitial search page

Figure 8—A subtle reminder on an interstitial search page

Figure 9—A landing page with a mix of rational and emotional appeals

Figure 9—A landing page with a mix of rational and emotional appeals

 

Original article: http://www.uxmatters.com/mt/archives/2008/12/ten-recipes-for-persuasive-content.php

Further reading

3 More Recipes for Persuasive Content:
http://www.leenjones.com/blog/2009/01/more-persuasive-content/

]]> http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/01/26/10-recipes-for-persuasive-content/feed/ 0 10 techniques for an effective ‘call to action’ http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/01/23/10-techniques-for-an-effective-call-to-action/ http://uxblog.co.uk/2009/01/23/10-techniques-for-an-effective-call-to-action/#comments Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:00:11 +0000 Barry http://uxblog.co.uk/?p=102 This is a really good article that documents the obvious and the not-so-obvious design decisions behind creating effective calls to action…

Original article: http://boagworld.com/design/10_techniques_for_an_effective/

Having an effective call to action is an essential part of any website. A call to action is not just limited to ecommerce sites. Every website should have an objective it wants users to complete whether it is filling in a contact form, signup for a newsletter or volunteering their time.

…

An effective call to action is the linchpin of a successful site and involves drawing together best practice in usability, creative visual design and powerful copy writing.

Summary

  1. lay the groundwork
  2. offer a little extra
  3. have a small number of distinct actions
  4. use active urgent language
  5. get the position right
  6. use white space
  7. use an alternative colour
  8. make it big
  9. have a call to action on every page
  10. carry the call through

Selected screen-shots from the article

Skype clearly show the benefits of downloading their application

Skype clearly show the benefits of downloading their application

The Things website draws attention to its calls to action by using a constrasting colour

The Things website draws attention to its calls to action by using a constrasting colour

Original article: http://boagworld.com/design/10_techniques_for_an_effective/

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