The myth of the page fold: evidence from user testing | cxpartners
As web professionals, we all know that the concept of the page fold being an impenetrable barrier for users is a myth. Over the last 6 years we’ve watched over 800 user testing sessions between us and on only 3 occasions have we seen the page fold as a barrier to users getting to the content they want. In this article we’re going to break down the page fold myth and give some tips to ensure content below the fold gets seen. What is the fold? Above the fold is a graphic design term that refers to important content being on the upper half of the front page of a newspaper. Why we don’t worry about the fold People tell us that they don’t mind scrolling and the behaviour we see in user testing backs that up. BBC, Play, Amazon.co.uk and the New York Times websites showing the position of the page fold Adding evidence from user testing When we user test here at cxpartners we use an eye tracker. Scrollbars are used to assess page length and to indicate content below the fold Just some clarification.
How wireframing makes your website designs better
Written by Brian Cray on December 2nd, 2009 Wireframing in terms of website design means to create a basic "sketch" of your website's user interface. While many web designers jump straight from client meeting to Adobe Photoshop, or even to creating CSS and HTML prototypes, they are missing important opportunities in the website design process. Wireframing addresses extremely important issues in strategic design, client adoption, and user-centered design. The value of wireframing comes down to a simple idea: Wireframing forces you to think about your user interface design decisions in terms of user needs first, instead of in terms of what looks good. Ideal website design deliverables from start to finish Removing the wireframe from the website design process Without wireframing your website designs, you're vulnerable to these design pitfalls: Lack of focus on strategic UI design. How to start wireframing Conclusion
Save the Pixel
Most people who come to most sites give up without getting what they came for. That costs web site owners billions every year. How much is your poor web page design costing YOU? What concerns me is that the reason why most sites fail is not from lack of cleverness or creativity. (In fact, it’s usually the reverse.) Designers and site owners just need to learn web design techniques that actually work. Price slashed from $27 to ONLY $19! And it’s backed by my 100% guarantee! I have been designing web sites for over 15 years, and have seen thousands of examples of what works – and what fails. Discover Web Design Techniques to Make Your Sites More Effective I would like to pass that approach on to you, so that you can apply the principles and boost your web site’s profits. “Save the Pixel” gives you a clear step-by-step guide you can apply today to make your web site more effective. New! You don’t need to be a designer to get the benefit of this web design book. Simplicity is the Key Layout Space Ken
5 Simple Social Design Tips From the Masters
This series is supported by Wix.com, an online design tool that enables you to create your own Flash websites, social network layouts, and more, for free. Learn more about Wix here. With so much content competing for users' attention, it's important for content creators to have websites or applications that are accessible, clean and interactive. For sites with a social media focus, a solid user experience is even more important because if users can't easily navigate a site or connect with their existing networks, chances are, those users won't return. Joshua Porter, author of Designing for the Social Web defines social design as "designing for the social interactions between people using software." The methodologies and science behind user interface and user experience can be overwhelming for professionals, not to mention the content creator that just wants to have a site that can encourage interactivity with its audience. 1. Hess writes: 2. Nik tells us: 3. 4. Benjamin tells us: 5.
18 Dos and Don’ts Of Usability On The Web | Spyre Studios
Are you a web designer or do you run a website? Good, because this article is for you. If you’re designing websites for a living or running your business online, there are 18 tips in this article that you should definitely read and remember. You can have the best visual design skills on the planet, but if you build a website that works like crap and doesn’t allow the visitor to feel comfortable going from item to item and page to page, you are missing the very core of a good website design. Do utilize a grid for your website structure Before you get upset and start screaming that a grid is a box for creativity, I’m not saying to ensure your entire site is boxed in. Do Not forget your search form A lot of people will go to your site and immediately look for a search box. Do make your navigation easy to find & readable Do Not make your “contact” link in your navigation bar a mailto: link Do utilize UX Apps as much as possible for web tests O.K. This is especially true for blogs/content sites.
24 UX Articles to Start 2010
We’ve just begun a year and already I have been overwhelmed with the amazing UX articles, websites, and projects that have cropped up over the past few weeks. It is exciting to see the growth in this upcoming field. Today we’ve gathered some of the best of the UX-related web that we’ve found. What’s Next in Web Design? This post is a great outline of what we may expect to come in 2010’s web design trends. What Am I Saying Yes To? More and more I am beginning to understand the role of copy in user experience. Spending Quality Time with Your Search Log Oh, something we all need to start out the new year doing. A Basic Usability Test on Ten Phones In this article Peter-Paul Koch, mobile platform strategist, conducted a simple usability test on some popular cell phones. The Web Designer’s Guide to User Experience So if you’ve never read a post on UX Booth then this post is for you, heh. Articles by Topic: Information Architecture Guide to Low-cost Usability Tools Why Microcopy Matters
Advanced Common Sense
The Usable Library
Five Simple but Essential Web Usability Tips
The web has become a part of our lives. Folks from all walks of life, from upscale parts of New York to dirt road villages you probably will never hear of in Burundi, are all a part of what we call "the internet". The reasons they use the web is highly varied: it could be to search for news articles, directions to the nearest pub, the winter/fall clothing trends, post-grad research, or shopping for a handbag, the list is endless. It could be anyone too. It’d be impossible to try to classify web users in any particular demographic range. On top of the web’s ubiquity, the web has gotten to an interactive all time high. And it’s only going to get better: we are seeing a myriad of emerging web apps and website trends that are revolutionizing the way we use and obtain information on the web. With this concept in mind, usability, how effortless it is to interact and use your website, is critical to its success. 1. A basic site feature nowadays is a search feature. 2. 3. 4. 5. Related Content
The Current State of Web Design: Trends 2010 - Smashing Magazine
