Web Usability Illustrated: Breathing Easier
With Your Usable e-Commerce Site (continued)

1. Support navigation memory

For tasks requiring frequent navigation, consider a "task panel" with continuously visible options (no memory required)

2. Make sequence clear

Avoid arbitrary sequencing like alphabetic (unless it's names or the dictionary). User can't remember which word to look for. Task order is better (see next).

3. Group options and tasks

The eye and memory handle about 5 lines at a time. Use blank space to group by concept.

The "portfolio" buttons would make a good separate group.

4. Avoid need for long-term memory (and consequent training)

Avoid arbitrary codes

Use meaningful indicators

5. Avoid interrupting short-term memory

Avoid long instructions like this. (You forget the instruction!) Consider using button labels as brief instructions (e.g., "First-time User Registration" placed at the top)

Build tasks to be self-evident.

1. Reduce scrolling requirements

Avoid scroll requirements unless its obvious. (This page isn't obvious)

Make first page self-contained, if possible

Consider the extra work caused by icons in your menu. Is the work worth it?

2. Avoid "window thrashing"

Pop-up windows easily get lost by users who click on the window behind the popup

3. Minimize typing complexity

Avoid lugubrious URLs

4. Offer large targets for mouse clicks

Avoid tiny buttons. Large buttons speeds mouse movement. Put labels on the buttons

5. Question "splash graphics"

A gratuitous graphic page merely means extra clicks (and waiting)

Andre, A. D. and Wickens, C. D. (1995). When users want what's not best for them . Ergonomics in Design 4(4), 10-14.

Baty, B. B. and Lee, R. M. (1995). InterShop: Enhancing the vendor/customer dialectic in electronic shopping. Journal of Management Information Systems 11(4), 9-31.

GVU (Graphic, Visualization, & Usability Center) (1998). 9th WWW User Survey. Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA.

Lederer. A. L., Mirchandani, D. A., Sims, K. (1998). Using WISs to enhance competitiveness. Communications of the ACM 41(7), 94-95.

Lohse, G. L. and Spiller, P. (1998). Electronic shopping. Communications of the ACM 41(7), 81-87.

Schaffer, E. M. (1998). How to design usable Web sites --3 day seminar. Human Factors International, Inc., Fairfield, IA, 52556.