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User-centric Web Design
I have decided to write this article after reading a post about playing audio when landing on a webpage. However, this regards much more than media.
It seems to me that many web designers (especially those of us just starting out) don't realise that they are creating a website for their users, not for them. With that in mind I'd like to explore the subject of user-centric web design.
Your website is not for you.
With the exception of some sites (personal blogs, web apps and administration areas, that only you or your team use, spring to mind) where the designer isn't bothered about users staying or going, you need to focus on your user.
But who is your user? Good question. Your user is that highly critical, typically almost-borderline ADD, internet surfer who needs something from your site. This could be anything: information, products, enjoyment or whatever. Most users have very short attention spans-thanks to the Get Everything Now world we live in (hence them being almost-borderline ADD)-so they don't like struggling to get at what they want. If your user can't find it when they need it, they won't be sticking around, regardless of how wonderful your site looks. Trust me.
Remember that the user is spending time (sometimes even money) to browse your website and time is very important to everyone, if they feel that their time could be better spent Elsewhere then they will definitely go Elsewhere, never to be seen again.
Users don't like things intruding on their little surfing-bubble. That awesome MP3 track that you just know everyone is going to love, so you have it playing as soon as someone lands on your website, will probably be considered vulgar and offensive to the little bubble of the user. Having a method of stopping it from being played may help but most likely they'll just leave. Not to say media on a website is a bad thing but it should remain the user's choice as to whether they want to hear it or not.
Advertisements are often intrusive to the user, especially popups, but any advertisements that contain sound or moving images (or even contrast too highly with your site) will be too distracting and may encourage users to leave. Keep that in mind when using ads on your page.
Users love choice and hate force. If they feel something is being forced upon them they'll go in to defensive mode and react accordingly. If the only method they have of reacting is to leave your site guess what they're going to do: leave your site. Give your users the choice, whether it's choosing between listening to music, watching a video, registering at your forum or how to find their way around your site, choice allows people to feel in control of their environment which increases their contentment factor.
One thing that annoys me is those tutorial sites that are a mix of textual and video articles. Some tutorials are in video format whereas others are textual. Why can't I choose whether to have the same tutorial in either? Or at least, choose whether I want to read the tutorial as opposed to watching it; I can absorb the information better that way.
Anyway, I just wanted to get the point across that you need to design your website with your user in mind, this may mean making sacrifices but it's something you're going to have to get used to.
I'll probably re-write this and add to it later in the week as it's a bit disorganisd but I wanted to get opinions on the content. I'm not a writer so I apologise if it's difficult to read. If you have suggestions to improve it, feel free to make them. Opinions on the subject-matter itself are encouraged.
Thank you for reading.
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