The three hats of user experience
User experience (UX) and design patterns fall under three categories (or hats) – white hat, grey hat, and black hat – or more simply put, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Search by tag: usability
The information scent of links
When looking at links on a web page, how do you decide which one will take you closer to your goal? You’ll choose the one with the highest information scent – the link with relevant terms and context that you think…
How we are using Hotjar to improve our web pages
We have been actively using Hotjar for the past six months to record heatmap data and discover new insights into how our web pages are being used. This article explains how we are currently using the tool, what updates…
Six steps to overcome online indecision
How do we make it easier for users of the University website to find the right link, the right information they need? The current landing pages for current staff and current students provide a plethora of choices –…
Using cues.ai to inform decision making
We have been using software called cues.ai from a company called Twenty Thousand Leagues, since April this year. When students view a course page, the software prompts students with a question ‘are you interested in…
How to indicate required and optional fields in forms
Online forms can be complicated to complete. How can we make it easy for users to know which fields have to be filled in and which ones are optional? An article by the Nielsen Norman Group recommends that all fields…
Prioritising search results to maximise user engagement
The importance of having the correct web page listed in the top few search results has long been known. However, in some cases only a single result gets the attention of users. This has an impact for the University…
Scrolling and the illusion of completeness
How can web designers and developers encourage users to scroll? In 2018, the Nielsen Norman Group reported that 57% of user’s viewing time was spent above the fold (the first visible area of a webpage without…
Clicks don’t really matter
Over the last few months I’ve received several requests to track the number of clicks it takes a user to complete a task to determine the “improved” usability of a website.
Plain English for the web
When writing for the web, use plain English to make your content easy to read by all users. Plain English will also help your page rank higher in search engine results.