You should never need to write ‘click here’ on your links. This post explains the reasons why. Your links should be obvious In a previous post I advised you to let your hyperlinks shine. This is because your links should be obviously visible on the page. When we’re looking at a web page, we shouldn’t [...]
Tags: navigation, trigger words, web writing
Using 1,2,3 links is often a result of lazy web design. In many cases, it’s the web equivalent of asking your users to rake through bargain bins. They don’t know what’s in each bin, they have to rummage through them in order to find out. Often however, 1,2,3 links are the most appropriate option. I [...]
Tags: iPlayer, navigation, search, trigger words
Hyperlinks are what holds the web together. Without links, the web would not be a web. An important part of good web site design is the visual treatment of your hyperlinks. You’ll be doing your users a favour by making your hyperlinks instantly noticeable. Allow your users to quickly understand what their options are on [...]
Tags: navigation, trigger words
I noticed an advert the other day for Channel 4 Watch online internet catch-up service. It reminded me of a common problem on the web – branding things with names that nobody understands. Channel 4 have done the right thing. Their offering is the Ronseal Quick Drying Wood Stain of the catch-up TV world. So [...]
Tags: catch-up TV, iPlayer, navigation, trigger words
I was discussing Gerry McGovern with a friend recently. We both like the way he writes about good web content. However my friend felt that he couldn’t really see a difference between Customer Carewords and Jared Spool’s trigger words. They are both similar I agree, but I think there are differences. I’ll attempt to describe [...]
Tags: Gerry McGovern, Jared Spool, navigation, trigger words, Usability testing, web writing
Using good sub-headers will help your users find the information they are looking for. It’s like navigation but without the clicking and the cool roll-over effects. Sub-headers help users decide whether to stay Your web pages will not be read word for word. In many cases your user is looking for a single piece of [...]
Tags: navigation, tips, trigger words, web writing
Many UK TV broadcasters now have catch up TV on their websites. I’ve worked on a few of these projects myself. Images tend to feature heavily in the design of such sites and are usually pretty useful. When you’re looking for your favourite programme it can be easier to find it when images are well-used [...]
Tags: catch-up TV, navigation, tips, trigger words
I'm a freelance usability consultant.
I'm based in Scotland, in between Edinburgh and Glasgow. But I work all over the place.
