Sometimes, one of the biggest pitfalls of web design can be that the designers’ creativity simply doesn’t translate. Do users care how pretty your website is? Just how much did they hate your snazzy pop-up ad? Smashing Magazine has recently compiled a small list of user habits, which we’ve turned into some handy web design hints.
The habit: users prefer function to form.
Ever wonder how poorly designed websites still generate metropolitan levels of traffic? Simple – they’ve got great content. If your website has all the information users need, they’re often willing to compromise on the bells ’n’ whistles…
What can you do?
Keep it simple. The KIS principle should be a priority when designing a page. After all, readers aren’t there for your design – they’re there for information. If you focus on the aesthetic – and thus introduce a more complex structure – then your readers will look elsewhere.
The habit: users don’t read – they scan!
Users will look for fixed points on your page, anchors to guide them through your content.
What can you do?
Take joy in the conventions that may otherwise be associated with “boring” design. Conventions exist to form expectations within the minds of the users – they create trust and confidence in the website and are more likely to stick around.
Once they do find the information, format your text wisely. Hefty chunks of text – especially those devoid of pictures or any other visual emphasis – will be skipped. All your flowing promotional prose will be skipped, too. Oh, and the jargon… Instead stress key words or points using italics or bold text and use subheads to create manageable sections of text.
Also, try and avoid dressing your commands up too much. If you want people to sign up – say just that. “Sign Up” is likely to be more effective than “start now”, or any twee variations thereof…
Posted by Idealogy
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