Back in 2010, I wrote: Don’t Put Hints Inside Text Boxes in Web Forms. That was unusual for me because I came straight out and said, “Don’t.” Not “it depends”— just “don’t.” And it generated a lot of discussion—none ofContinue reading… Don’t put labels inside text boxes
Author: Caroline Jarrett
How to find out about the usability of your website using a survey
My starting point for a workshop I led at UX Cambridge 2012 was being asked whether a usability test can use only a questionnaire with no observation? This presentation – How to find out about the usability of your website using aContinue reading… How to find out about the usability of your website using a survey
Better UX surveys for UCD2012
UCD2012 – the User Centred Design Conference in London – was an initiative organised by the Computer Society Interaction Group (BCS), British Interactive Media Association (BIMA), the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (IEHF), Interaction Design Association (IxDA) and the UserContinue reading… Better UX surveys for UCD2012
How to ask about user satisfaction in a survey
Surveys often include questions about satisfaction. But what is satisfaction: an emotional response? all about comparisons? And what does it mean for user experience? This article, first published in the November 2012 UXMatters, examines what satisfaction means and how best to handle its complexity in aContinue reading… How to ask about user satisfaction in a survey
To sign or not to sign? Signatures and signing ceremonies
Each year more and more business, leisure and personal transactions move online. Yet the handwritten signature continues to have an almost mystical power in the minds of lawyers, organisations – and many of us who are asked to sign forms. This article,Continue reading… To sign or not to sign? Signatures and signing ceremonies
More investigation of why usability problems go unfixed
Not enough time, not enough resources, not enough clout to make it happen… Earlier in the year, Steve Krug and I reported on a survey that we carried out amongst UX professionals about why usability problems go unfixed. We suggested some ideasContinue reading… More investigation of why usability problems go unfixed
Basic best practices for buttons
Buttons on websites? Nothing special: just an ordinary everyday element of interaction design. Despite this, it’s rather too easy to find buttons that don’t conform to some basic best practices. Here are my basic best practices for buttons: Make buttons look likeContinue reading… Basic best practices for buttons
Buttons on forms and surveys: a look at some research
Where to put the buttons on forms? There seem to be endless discussions: Does ‘submit’ or ‘send’ or ‘OK’ go to the left or right of ‘cancel’? Does ‘next’ go to the left or right of ‘previous’? My views are:Continue reading… Buttons on forms and surveys: a look at some research
The art of writing very little: how to improve your forms
Guest post by Gerry Gaffney, co-author with Caroline Jarrett of Forms That Work: designing web forms for usability. Technical communicators are familiar with the challenges of communicating with audiences who are reluctant to read. Clearly written, thoughtfully designed, well-formatted text isContinue reading… The art of writing very little: how to improve your forms
Three reasons why response from panels may not be what you want
What might turn an honest, happy respondent into a despondent cheat? I’m a dedicated survey respondent. I have lots of reasons why I tenaciously try to respond to every survey invitation that I get: I’m collecting examples for my library ofContinue reading… Three reasons why response from panels may not be what you want