Taking a good look at how your site is designed could be the start of a journey to profitability. Human computer interaction is often the last thing that developers think of when making a site and often business managers and owners are unaware that design tweaks can have a dramatic effect on customers decisions to buy products. The role of HCI is to enhance and bridge the level of interaction between humans and computers , in this case your website.

HCI is a massive subject area that has been researched in great detail. I suggest if you havent before to get some books on the subject. Here are a few simple things to condsider.

•Designers should investigate ways to provide information on how to use the site above the fold as it has been found that many users wont scroll down.
• Avoid using technical jargon describe products and services and then list specs.
• Identify links using red or blue text either bold or cold on mouse over.And make sure that visited links change colour.
• Websites need attention grabbing features on the page such as logos or product pictures. Users of your site will be naturally drawn to pictures , this would be a good place to put a phone number.
•Try to keep the format of your website simple HTML output suggested users will be turned off by forced downloads such as flash especially older users.
• Make content small and concise so that it caters for both readers ( older users or interested users ) and scanners (researching or trying to find interest).
• Provide instructions on how to use your site above the fold but these dont have to be detailed and can be hidden in logos and text .Instructions like use our form to find the best quote etc.
• Most users still prefer to read black text on a white background, although most web users are experienced in using the internet a major proportion of web users are 50+ so keep things simple to try and cater to their conceptual mental models.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites