- 11 JulWhat Makes Great Retail Sites
- 13 JunWebinars, an ideal, cost effective way of reducing marketing costs
- 03 JunCreating a new medial app?Check with doctors first.
- 30 MayWhy don’t pharma companies provide better content online?
- 16 May7 things pharma should no about Facebook timeline
- 18 Apr7 Top Tips to Web Usability
- 22 MarVideo Marketing is Key
- 01 MarMaking the move to timeline!
- 15 FebiPads quickly becoming professionals chosen device
- 11 JanWebinars, the way forward!
- 01 NovWhat Google’s New ‘Secure Searching’ Means For Marketers
- 27 OctFree Social Media Online Workshop
- 26 OctDoes Social Media Work for Business?
- 14 OctThe last ‘Here’s one more thing’
- 12 SepYet another reason why tablets belong in healthcare
- 27 OctFree Social Media Online Workshop
- 12 SepYet another reason why tablets belong in healthcare
- 01 SepImportant Facebook Security Update
- 19 AugThe Social Media Rules of Engagement for Pharma
- 20 Jul12 Social Media Tips for Pharma
- 06 JulBayer Reprimanded for Promotional Tweets
- 02 JunCan Pharma Use Twitter?
- 25 MayFacebook Force Pharma to Enable Comments
- 18 MayCan Apps Diagnose Strokes or Cancer? Yes They Can!
- 28 AprCan Twitter Help Save a Life? An Inspirational Story
- 11 AprHow Pharma companies can get involved in social media
- 11 AprApp to save lives
- 07 AprHow the iPad is changing the Pharma Sector
- 07 AprUK first to get Pharma Social Media Guidance
- 03 FebAre iPads the new detail aids?
- 01 NovWhat Google’s New ‘Secure Searching’ Means For Marketers
- 27 OctFree Social Media Online Workshop
- 26 OctDoes Social Media Work for Business?
- 01 SepImportant Facebook Security Update
- 11 AugLinkedIn Opt In 100 Million Users For Third Party Advertising
- 02 AugIs The App Game Market Over?
- 20 Jul12 Social Media Tips for Pharma
- 18 JulBringing Hospital Digital Wayfinding Kiosks to Ireland
- 15 JulAn Introduction to Google+
- 06 JulBayer Reprimanded for Promotional Tweets
- 03 JunTouchscreen- Where’s it all going?
- 02 JunCan Pharma Use Twitter?
- 25 MayFacebook Force Pharma to Enable Comments
- 18 MayCan Apps Diagnose Strokes or Cancer? Yes They Can!
- 28 AprCan Twitter Help Save a Life? An Inspirational Story
April 2012 | In | Comments 0
7 Top Tips to Web Usability
Web usability is an approach to make web sites easy to use for an end-user, without the requirement that any specialized training be undertaken. It is something we here at Combined Media think is key when were building websites and apps.
If a website is difficult to use, visitors to the site will leave. The usability of your website can be quite easily improved with a few minor changes to your website. We’ve put together a list of the key usability features every website should have.
Here are our 7 Top Tips to a more usable website, the most important tips to remember when building a new site.
1.Main navigation is easily identifiable:
Users are impatient, they hate having to learn new site navigation. Navigation needs to be easy to find, read and use, it needs to be obvious and constant through the site. This also means keeping navigation labels clear and concise, they should be short and to the point. Don’t say 'communicate online with our team' when ‘contact us’ will suffice.
2.Always have a consistent link to the homepage:
Their should be a link to the homepage on every page of the site, the company logo in the top left hand corner is a popular option. People expect logos to link back to the homepage.
3.Keep the site ‘search’ easy to manage:
Site search is a very important tool you can offer a website visitor. Keep it in the same place (usually upper right hand corner) on every page and keep the button simple and clear. ‘Search’ still works best for most cases.
4.Have a reasonable number of buttons and links:
People can only process so much information and if you exceed 7 or so menu items, we need to think do you really need them? Links should stand out , they should be used sparingly enough that they don’t disrupt the site content.
5.Keep the content clear and simple:
It’s pretty well known that web users have very short attention spans. Content needs to be concise, organised and easy to skim through. Don’t save the best until last, place your most important content high on the page.
6.Major headings clear and descriptive:
People don’t read articles thoroughly or in their entirety. Therefor it is important to use headings (major and minor) to set content apart and keep it organised. Styles and colors should also be constant.
7.Every page is a landing page:
Every page on a website is a potential landing page. If a visitor comes from a Google search, its likely that google has directed them to an inner page of your website, this page should carry the same usability features as your homepage.
There are lots of ways that websites can place restrictions on its users, ultimately damaging their usability, and then the threat arises that they will leave the site. If you have any inquiries about making your website more usable, you can contact us on info@combinedmedia.ie
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Combined Media is a leading independent interactive agency that specialises in web design and development. We create websites, e-learning tools, interactive presentations, applications and all things digital. Founded in 1992, Combined Media has developed processes that combine the best aspects of user-centred design and technology. Our aim is to produce products that look great and are easy to use. Our work is created using excellent project management for our clients. Based in Dublin, clients include VHI healthcare, Roche Products, Novartis, ESBIE Independent Energy, Barnardos and World Vision.
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