don’t just build pretty websites — ux in the real world
DESCRIPTION
Presentation at WordCamp Philly 2014TRANSCRIPT
WordCamp Philly 2014 !
Don’t just build Pretty Websites
~ UX in the Real World ~ !
by Sonja Leix
Who am I?
Sonja Leix !New York based
WordPress Front-End Designer
Freelance
!Twitter: @sonjanyc
www: sonjaleix.com
What is UX?
noun
the overall experience of a person using a product such as a website or computer application, especially in terms of how easy or pleasing it is to use. "if a website degrades the user experience too much, people will simply stay away"
us·er ex·pe·ri·ence
–Steve Jobs
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
Users & Goals
What is the purpose or goal of your website?
Is the message consistent?
–Jakob Nielsen
“Usability rules the Web. Simply stated, if the customer can’t find a product,
then he or she will not buy it.”
Do you know your users?
What is your target audience?
WHO are the users?
WHAT are the activities they wish to perform?
WHY do they want to use/buy our product?
HOW does your product/service fit the context of their life?
Create Personas
Let’s call this (very simple) example persona:
Tech-Unsavvy Customer Support’s Worst Nightmare
- He is not good with computers and very impatient
- He prefers to talk to a real person when he has questions or a
problem instead of doing research himself online
!We need to make our website very easy to use and navigate for
him. Provide: effective CTAs, FAQs, user-friendly support forums
and if all else fails a number or email to reach customer support.
–Paul Boag
“Users are not always logical, at least not on the surface.To be a great designer
you need to look a little deeper into how people think and act.”
Your client is often not your target audience!
Design for the User!
Where do your users come from?
Direct? Referrals?
Social Media? Search?
Where do your users land?
Most likely not always on your homepage.
How do your users interact with your site?
Analyse existing site or
make assumptions for new sites
Layout & Structure
Do you always use the same layout structure?
Content / Sidebar Full-Width
Guide your users!Provide useful, simplified navigation menus.
CTAs!Add effective Calls to Action to convert
and guide users!
What the Fold?Place important information and CTAs
higher up on page!
Sliders?!Are your clients still asking for these
for every project, too?
Responsive Design, duh!
for best User Experience across all devices
Beyond the Coat of Paint
Site SpeedUsability also depends on how fast your site is!
Cross-Browser Compatibility
Remember that day you put IE 7 to rest?!
AccessibilitySupports social inclusion for people
with a diverse range of hearing, movement, sight, and cognitive ability.
http://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/useful-tools/
–Tim Berners-Lee
“The power of the Web is in it’s universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability
is an essential aspect.”
You’ve launched!
Time to relax?
Uhm?! NOPE!
After Launch:Analyse!
Review your assumptions! Get user feedback!
Iterate! …
–Alan Lewis
“Failure comes when you don’t listen. You can’t put something out there and
assume it’s great. It’s up to us to make sure we’re listening to improve our chances for success—if not this time, next time.”
Analytics ToolsGoogle Analytics
Kissmetrics Crazyegg
Google AnalyticsUser Data
Google AnalyticsUser and Behavior Flows
Google AnalyticsIn-Page Analytics
Question Everything!
Iterate Often!
5 Key UX Questions to ask before (and while)
designing any website
http://bit.ly/5UXQuestions
