Newsletter issue #62 - 1st May 2009
This issue
Welcome to the May 2009 edition of the Webcredible newsletter!
In this issue:
- Feature article: 7 tips for designing for older users
- Top tip: Make sure your homepage content is effective
- Useful program: Pencil Project
- Top link: Flights Online Report 2009
- New articles in April
- Webcredible news in April
- Webcredible blog posts in April
Enjoy!
Feature article: 7 tips for designing for older users
The diversity of the 65+ user group online is enormous. Designing for older web users is not solely about disabilities that the elderly may develop - it's also about their natural user behaviour and attitudes. Our feature article this month offers a digestive list of the most important design tips based on research with older users.
Top tip: Make sure your homepage content is effective
On any website the content on the homepage can be the make or break factor - will visitors click through further into your site or will they simply bounce straight off the site? It's amazing how many websites have confusing homepage content that doesn't really tell you what the site's about, let alone entice you to delve deeper. The content on your homepage gives users the first impression of your site, making it the most important. Some essential homepage guidelines include:
- Introduce the company and site When a web user enters your site it's crucial that they can quickly find out exactly what you and your website does. Ensure that you offer an introduction to the site & your organisation, explaining what you do without assuming prior knowledge or understanding. If it's an unusual offering, you should also show a breakdown of how your service works so as to set expectations. You can also include a link to further information about you, if needed.
- Explain your USPs Every business should have a set of unique selling points to communicate to potential customers and the homepage is where this should be done. This involves explaining the benefits to customers as well as demonstrating why users should prefer your site over others and what they'll gain from it.
- Show fresh site content Your homepage should also be used to demonstrate the freshness of your site content, if appropriate. You can do this by showcasing popular or latest features and/or content that's often changed. This gives you the advantage of keeping the site fresh while not alienating or intimidating regular visitors with dramatic design changes.
Useful program: Pencil Project
Looking for a tool to help you develop prototype wireframes? Pencil Project is a free Firefox plugin that allows you to easily sketch and design prototypes with cross-platform functionality. Simply download the Pencil Project program and begin sketching your prototype wireframes.
Top link: Flights Online Report 2009
Webcredible's latest white paper evaluates 20 of the top UK travel agent and airline carrier websites against 20 best practice usability guidelines. The report is free to download!
New articles in April
Read these and many other articles
Webcredible news in April
- 2009 flights online report available now
- Webcredible launches company blog
- Webcredible selected by I Want One Of Those.com for usability testing
- Webcredible to exhibit and present at Internet World
Read these news stories in full
Webcredible blog posts in April
- Better user experience can help travel industry survive downturn
- Survey says gadget jargon confuses users
- Should Microsoft be forcing IE8 on to people?
- Better late than never!
Usability lab & focus group facilities hire
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Find out more about hiring our facilities
Training courses
Come on one of our training courses and become a web guru! Our 18 courses are run across 5 training streams:
- Usability & accessibility courses
- Website optimisation courses
- Online copywriting courses
- Web development courses
- Online marketing courses
Training courses are held every 2 weeks in London and are fantastic - small class sizes, highly interactive and taught by experts.
