NOVEMBER 2006
Vacation Reminder
From November 30th through December 17th I will be on vacation in a nice warm region. If anything comes up while I am gone please feel free to call or email me. I will take care of it as soon as I get back.
Should your web site have a catastrophic problem — like the site is not showing on the Internet — please contact your web site hosting company to find out what is going on.
Thanks!
Kim Adams, President, Tiger Studios, Inc.
Ask Tiger Studios
A: It depends. If you have a web site with 5 pages you probably won't need it because people will not get lost. If your site has 10 pages or more you might want to consider it. But, if you want users to complete a certain task, like sign up for a newsletter, then you need to test to make sure they can no matter what size site you have. Have a question that you would like to see in this newsletter? Send them to Tiger Studios |
Why Web Sites Need Usability Testing
Web Site Confusion
A friend of mine recently went to a nationwide bank's web site so they could set up online banking. Sounds simple. The web site had 3 button choices:
- PC Banking
- e-Access
- MyBank
Which do you think is the button you push to set up online banking? Both of us assumed that PC Banking would be the right one. It made sense. Unfortunately that was not the correct button and, in fact, we ended up having to call the bank in order to find out where we needed to go on the site and how to set up the banking.
Now, I am very computer savey. Can you imagine this scenario for people who are not very good moving within web sites? Wonder how may calls that bank get's a day from people asking the same question that we did?
Testing is a good thing
Never assume that the title you pick for a button will be understandable to the masses. That is why usability testing is key. You can hire a company to come in and do the testing, but it is not always necessary. Find someone in your office or family that has never seen the site before. Ask them to perform a simple task (like trying to set up online banking) and see if:
- They can perform the task.
- How long it takes.
If they need help to complete the task your web site mission failed. You want the web site to be useful. If it is not you either loose customers or you make the process much more complicated.
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Share This Newsletter! Do you know someone who needs a web site or help with their current web site? Feel free to forward this newsletter or have them sign up for their own copy of our monthly newsletter on the Tiger Studios web site. |
A Little About Tiger Studios
Tiger Studios is an in-demand graphic design and web development services company which has the proven ability to take concepts and develop them into useful and functional products. We are proud of our professional and creative attitudes and proven customer service records. Combining our experience with our cost efficient services and high-level skills makes for a winning team for any size business.
To learn more about Tiger Studios and our services, check out our web site www.Tiger-Studios.com or contact Kim Adams at mail@Tiger-Studios.com for a free estimate of your next web site or graphic design project.