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Usability

Usability encompasses the entire user experience. Web writing is the part of that experience which seldom gets the attention it deserves.

A good user experience

People are spending more time accessing information and conducting business on the web. Because navigating and reading on the web can be draining, easy-to-use websites are essential.

When people think of usability, they typically overlook the importance of writing content that is easy to read. And yet, information is most often the goal of web users!

First Law of Usability: Don't make me think

This phrase, coined by usability expert and author Steve Krug, is usability in a nutshell.

What does it mean?

"...as far as humanly possible, when I look at a Web page it should be self-evident. Obvious. Self-explanatory."
Steve Krug

*Steve Krug's book titled Don't Make Me Think! A common Sense Approach to Web Usability is an excellent guide and a quick read.

Ways to Keep Things Simple

  1. Make use of conventions. - Left navigation is an excellent example of a web convention. No one is surprised to see category links there.
  2. Think like an outsider. - Use terminology that your audience will recognize.
  3. Navigation is not an org chart - Don't base navigation on the department's org chart.
  4. Chunking Information - Chunking means grouping the information logically and conspicuously on your page.
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