Which usability changes make the biggest difference? Invited by LoanBright to review their forms, we were surprised by some of the results. Among the changes we tested – layout, wording of questions, addition of extra pages – the only one to make a significant differenceContinue reading… Making a better web form
Category: Design
Five factors for choosing forms software
At any time there are dozens of forms products on the market so how do you choose the right option for physically creating your form?  In this paper for the Business Forms Management Association Symposium, I explore five areas you need toContinue reading… Five factors for choosing forms software
The piece of HTML created just for me: Reset
HTML 2.0 appeared in 1995. At that time, I was working in usability of forms – and I still am. But I didn’t have email or an internet connection. So I think it was remarkably nice of the authors to includeContinue reading… The piece of HTML created just for me: Reset
Designing comparative evaluations
It was one of those calls that is simultaneously good news and bad news. “We’d like you to do an evaluation for us. We have two designs here and we want to know which one is better”. The good news:Continue reading… Designing comparative evaluations
How not to get a job in usability
Way back in 1982, a powerful television series called Boys from the Blackstuff added a new catchphrase to the British vocabulary: “gizza job”. A key character, Yosser Hughes, had a torrid time trying to find a job in Liverpool duringContinue reading… How not to get a job in usability
A farewell to pop-ups
Comment added in 2022: These days we use the term ‘modal’ instead of ‘pop-up’ and I don’t see as much discussion of pop-up blockers. Otherwise, I think this is still accurate. CJ. Â Do you remember the olden days onContinue reading… A farewell to pop-ups
Blink, scroll, flicker: three ways to ruin your website (and possibly make it illegal)
A client’s web team were looking sadly at the ‘scrolling news’ feature they were forced to carry on many pages. “We hate it, we want to get rid of it, but we need evidence”. So I’ve done a bit ofContinue reading… Blink, scroll, flicker: three ways to ruin your website (and possibly make it illegal)
It’s time to make a bigger pond
“Very short sessions on usability testing could be bad for the profession”. It was another of those discussions that I have from time to time, where I know that we’re not going to reach an agreement but I’m trying toContinue reading… It’s time to make a bigger pond
Dos and don’ts of web traffic measurement
Last week I was deep into one of my favourite things: brooding on web traffic data. And it got me thinking about the joy of measurement – particularly in the context of making websites easy to use. Usability testing isContinue reading… Dos and don’ts of web traffic measurement
Four ways to lose an order (and one way to get one)
A week before Christmas I was shopping online, as usual, but this time with some relatively clear requirements rather than purely as a displacement activity from the important business of writing a report. These were the requirements: delivery before ChristmasContinue reading… Four ways to lose an order (and one way to get one)