Measuring User Motivation from Server Log Files

Estimating user interest and motivation by just counting page requests from a World Wide Web server log (or "hits") provides a distorted metric of user activity. Some of the reasons why this metric is unreliable are that the path dependent nature of hyperlink usability treats index and navigational aid pages as equal to the goal, because differenes in web browsers can determine how effectively users can percieve content and navigational alternatives, and because the poorly designed structure and content of the documents themselves can inhibit users from finding what they are looking for. This paper proposes that measures of how much time users spend looking at a page are better estimates of user interest than page hits, providing simple human factors principles have been applied. An extended example of how this method might be used to collect and analyze data is also included. The types of decisions that can be made by authors and system administrators based on a time-based metric of user interest is summarized.

Fuller, Rodney and Johannes J. de Graaff. Microsoft (1996). Articles>Web Design>Audience Analysis>Log Analysis

Why Web Usage Statistics are (Worse Than) Meaningless

Web usage statistics, such as those produced by programs such as analog cannot be used to make strong inferences about the number of people who have read a website or webpage. Although those who compile these statistics usually try to make this clear, people still insist on misusing them to make overly strong inferences. Attaching meaning to meaningless numbers is worse than not having the numbers at all. When you lack information, it is best to know that you lack the information. Web statistics may give the user a false sense of knowledge which can be worse than being knowingly ignorant.

Goldberg, Jeffrey. Goldmark (1995). Articles>Web Design>Audience Analysis>Log Analysis

Making Web Space for Young Adults: Issues and Process a Case Study of the Internet Public Library Teen Division

This paper will discuss the issues associated with the creation of useful, appropriate, and entertaining Web space for teenagers, in the context of the formation of the Internet Public Library (IPL) Teen Division during the fall and winter of 1995.

Bailey, Samantha and Sara Ryan. Internet Society (1996). Articles>Web Design>Audience Analysis>Case Studies

Know Your Site

A good starting point for planning the future of your website is to analyze what you already have. To some extent we are doing this all the time. That is how new projects happen. However, a more formal approach helps to better inform your decision-making throughout the web project. There are two ways to better understand your current website: qualitative and quantitative.

Boag, Paul. Digital Web Magazine (2008). Articles>Web Design>User Centered Design>Audience Analysis

Your Target Audience and Your Users

There is a difference between your target audience (who you want to reach) and your user-base (who actually uses your website). At least that’s the mental model I’ve always used when approaching web design.

Kennedy, Patrick. Pat's Point of View (2009). Articles>Web Design>Audience Analysis

Twitter, Tweetdeck and Simplicity

The usability of a website is relative to the audience that it was designed for. A website that is designed well for its primary audience will not necessarily provide a great user experience for everyone that tries to use it. It’s important to identify your target user if you’re going to make a site that works well for the right people.

Hamill, David. Good Usability (2009). Articles>Web Design>Audience Analysis>Usability