Newsletter issue #47 - 1st February 2008
This issue
Hello and welcome to the February edition of the Webcredible newsletter!
In this issue:
- Feature article: Customisable websites - the definitive guide
- Top tip: Provide a progress bar during transactions
- Useful program: Yahoo! Site Explorer
- Top link: Go2Web20.net
- New articles in January
- Webcredible news in January
Enjoy!
Feature article: Customisable websites - the definitive guide
Customisable websites are sites that allow their users to change the appearance, content and/or functionality of a page (or of the whole site). They've recently become more and more popular so this month's feature articles explores the hows and the whys, as well as the benefits and disadvantages of providing customisation for your users...
Read this article in full at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/web-usability/customisation.shtml.
Top tip: Provide a progress bar during transactions
Progress bars should always appear during online transactions or application forms spanning multiple pages. They typically sit at the top of the screen and show users where they are in the process, which stages they've completed and which stages they still have to go through. Progress bars are therefore an important way of orienting users and ensuring they stay the course to reach the end of the transaction or application. Progress bars are however most effective when they conform to the following guidelines:
- Have the appearance of a process flow Too many progress bars have the appearance of navigation links sitting next to one another, meaning users often overlook them (why would you need navigation during a transaction or application?). Connecting each stage in the progress bar with arrows and assigning each a number are great ways for visually displaying the concept of the flow.
- Be very easy to spot Progress bars are most effective when they have lots of white space surrounding them and when each step is specifically labelled (e.g. 'Step 3: Credit card details'). Explicitly labelling each step is far superior to simply saying 'Step 3 of 5' as the latter takes up such a small amount of screen real estate (and therefore doesn't get noticed). Also, don't be afraid to get creative with the design of the progress bar - it's another opportunity for you to showcase your brand.
- Clearly display the current location The user's current location should be clearly highlighted with both completed and future steps greyed out (or using an inferior colour contrast to the current location). Sometimes extra steps in the process need to be inserted (depending on users' previous responses) - if this is the case then the current location will have to remain highlighted across multiple pages.
Useful program: Yahoo! Site Explorer
The Yahoo! Site Explorer is a useful tool that not only lists out all the pages on your website, but also all the pages on the Internet that link to it. It ranks these web pages in order of importance too making it easy to spot which important websites are linking back to your site (as well as to your competitors).
Access this useful program at siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com
Top link: Go2Web20.net
Need some design inspiration for your site? Claiming to be the complete Web 2.0 directory, Go2Web20.net not only has a unique interface but links to a vast range of sites that also offer leading edge Web 2.0 interactions.
Check out this website at www.go2web20.net.
New articles in January
Read these and many other articles at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources.
Webcredible news in January
- E-mail tops poll as most requested mobile service
- We're recruiting a head of client services
- Accessibility report proves to be a hit
Read these news stories in full at www.webcredible.co.uk/about-us/latest-news.shtml.
Training courses
Courses continue to sell out well in advance! Our next training courses will take place in our training centre in Aldgate, London in February, March & April:
- Writing for the web training - Monday 25th February, Monday 31st March & Monday 28th April. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our writing for the web training page.
- Web usability training - Tuesday 26th February, Tuesday 1st April & Tuesday 29th April. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our web usability training page.
- Usability testing training - Wednesday 2nd April. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our usability testing training page.
- Web accessibility training - Wednesday 27th February, Wednesday 2nd April & Wednesday 30th April. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our web accessibility training page.
- Intermediate CSS training - Thursday 28th February, Thursday 3rd April & Thursday 1st May. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our intermediate CSS training page.
- Advanced CSS training - Friday 29th February, Friday 4th April & Friday 2nd May. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our advanced CSS training page.
About Webcredible
Based in London, UK, Webcredible is a user experience consultancy. Tailor-made usability, accessibility & design solutions include:
- User-centered design
- Accessible web design
- CMS services
- Usability
- Accessibility
- Training
- Website review lite
Please contact us on 0870 242 6095 or info at webcredible.co.uk, or consult www.webcredible.co.uk for further information.