Top Ten Mistakes of Shopping Cart Design Revisited: A Survey of 500 Top E-Commerce Websites

A list of common mistakes with e-commerce shopping cart design were identified in a previous issue of Usability News. This article revisits that list and reviews how 500 of the top Internet retail sites of today implemented their shopping cart design.

Naidu, Shivashankar and Barbara S. Chaparro. Usability News (2007). Design>Web Design>E Commerce>Usability

Usability Analysis of a Computer-Based Avionics System

This study evaluates the usability of computer-based avionics system using a methodology described by Schvanevelt, Berringer & Leard (2004) which calculates the accessibility of information based upon the priorities users place upon the individual information sources. We discuss some of the unique usability issues facing engineers designing hardware and software for technically-advanced avionics systems.

Hamblin, Christopher J., Shiva Naidu and Cindy Miller. Usability News (2005). Articles>Usability>Human Computer Interaction

Using Eye-Tracking Data to Understand First Impressions of a Website

This study discusses the contributions of eye-tracking data to traditional usability test measures for first-time usage of websites. Participants viewed the homepages of three different websites. Results showed that eye-movement data supplemented what users verbally reported in their reactions to a site. In particular, the eye-tracking data revealed which aspects of the website received more visual attention and in what order they were viewed.

Russell, Mark C. Usability News (2005). Design>Web Design>Usability>Eye Tracking

We'll Never Get This Past Legal

Looks at usable writing, and convincing the legal department to adopt the tenets of clear writing.

Jarrett, Caroline. Usability News (2003). Articles>Writing>TC

What is the Best Layout for Multiple-Column Web Pages?

An important issue regarding the physical layout of a web page is the use of space or in this case, how the contents of a web page should be placed within the confines of a window. Web designers have dealt with this issue by using several different methods. The oldest method is to simply allow the contents of a web page fill the entire window. This method, which is known as a ‘fluid’ layout, has the flexibility to expand and contract along with the size of the window. It also is the simplest design to implement. However when reading its content, a fluid layout may have the drawback of forcing viewers to horizontally scan more than other types of layouts.

Bernard, Michael and Laurie Larsen. Usability News (2001). Articles>Usability

What's the Skinny on Weight Loss Websites?

This study reports on the usability test of three weight loss websites. In addition, eye tracking patterns were observed for initial exposure to each site home page. Results indicate that participants were able to search the Atkins diet site more efficiently than the Jenny Craig website or Weight Watchers website and preferred this site overall. Analysis of eye-tracking data suggests users first fixate on graphics and large text even when looking for specific information. Interface issues contributing to overall satisfaction and preference are discussed.

Shaikh, A. Dawn, J. Ryan Baker and Mark C. Russell. Usability News (2004). Design>Web Design>Usability>E Commerce

Where Should You Put the Links? A Comparison of Four Locations

Online newspapers and journals, as well as many other types of informational sites, are invariably confronted with the question of where to place links associated with the online document. Currently, many informational sites place associative links below (as seen with CNN.com) or on the side of the document (as seen with techreview.com), while a shrinking number of sites embed associative links within their documents.

Bernard, Michael. Usability News (2001). Articles>Usability>Web Design

Where's the Search? Re-examining User Expectations of Web Objects

In 2001, Bernard determined that users were able to form a schema for the location of web objects on informational websites. The current study investigates whether users' expectations have changed since the 2001 study. Changes were found in the expected location of the site search engine, internal links, and advertisements.

Shaikh, A. Dawn and Kelsi Lenz. Usability News (2006). Design>Web Design>Search>Usability

Which Fonts Do Children Prefer to Read Online?

Children today are reading large amounts of text on computer screens, either in the classroom or for leisure. In fact, currently there is a drive to supplement or even replace some traditional pen and paper lectures and tests with computer-based ones. However, to date there has been no research specific to a younger population investigating preferences for different types and sizes of fonts for reading online. This study sought to address this need by examining four types of fonts at 12- and 14-point sizes in order to help determine the font combination that is perceived as most readable on computer screens and most preferred by children.

Bernard, Michael, Melissa Mills, Talissa Frank and Jan McKown. Usability News (2001). Design>Typography>Usability>Children

Does the Typeface of a Resume Impact Our Perception of the Applicant?

Resumes play an important role when applying for a job. Unfortunately, many applicants focus only on the content of the resume and not the appearance. The typeface chosen to display the resume not only influences the physical appearance, but also influences how an employer may view the applicant. In this study, resumes displayed in a high appropriate typeface (Corbel), resulted in the applicant being perceived as more knowledgeable, mature, experienced, professional, believable, and trustworthy than when displayed in a neutral typeface (Tempus Sans) or low appropriate typeface (Vivaldi). Moreover, the applicant was more likely to be called for an interview when their resume was displayed in a high appropriate typeface than a neutral or low appropriate typeface.

Shaikh, A. Dawn and Doug Fox. Usability News (2008). Careers>Resumes>Typography>User Centered Design

The Effect of Input Device on Video Game Performance

First-person shooter (FPS) games have become increasingly popular, and the player’s ability to accurately control their weapon is very important in these games. This study assesses players’ accuracy on eliminating targets in the FPS game Star Wars Battlefront II using three different input devices (mouse, Playstation 2 controller, and joystick) with two different rifle types (sniper and blaster rifle). No significant performance differences were found between input devices although subjectively participants believed they peformed the worst with the joystick.

Lenz, Kelsi. Usability News (2008). Articles>User Interface>Human Computer Interaction>Academic

Eye Movement Patterns on Single and Dual-Column Web Pages

This study examines eye movement patterns of users browsing or searching a 1-column and 2-column news article on a web page. The results show a higher number of fixations for information in the second column of an article than for the same information in the lower portion of a single column. In addition, the typical "F" pattern appeared in the left column of the 2-column layout, but not in the right column. Users also fixated more on other page elements, such as ads, when they were browsing than when they were searching.

Shrestha, Sav and Justin W. Owens. Usability News (2008). Articles>Web Design>Usability>Eye Tracking

Examining the Legibility of the Number '1' and the '÷' Symbol

This article continues the investigation of the legibility of onscreen typefaces and the influence of individual character features on correct identification. Specific attributes of alphanumeric characters and symbols shown to be the least legible were measured and analyzed using a statistical method called classification tree analysis. Results from this analysis for the number "1" and the "÷" symbol are discussed.

Fox, Doug, Barbara S. Chaparro and Ed Merkle. Usability News (2008). Articles>Typography>Usability

Card-Sorting: What You Need to Know About Analyzing and Interpreting Card Sorting Results

This article provides general guidelines for card sorting analysis and interpretation. Tips include how to deal with dual group membership, individual differences, effects of semantic clustering, and items in a miscellaneous group.

Hinkle, Veronica. Usability News (2008). Articles>Usability>Methods>Card Sorting

How Do Users Browse a Portal Website? An Examination of User Eye Movements

This study examined the eye movement patterns of users browsing a web-based portal interface. Results demonstrate consistent scan patterns in both 2 and 3-column portal layouts. In the 2-column portal, users viewed the page through the top, left channel and proceeded to scan the rest of the portal page in a reverse 'S' pattern by row. In the 3-column portal layout, users typically started scanning in the top, center channel, and then proceeded to scan in a reverse 'S' pattern through the rest of channels by row. Implications of these results to portal design are discussed.

Owens, Justin W. and Sav Shrestha. Usability News (2008). Articles>Web Design>Usability>Eye Tracking

Usability Evaluation of a University Portal Website

This article provides a summary of a usability evaluation of a university portal website. University faculty, staff, and student users were asked to complete representative search tasks and provide feedback on the portal usability. Several user interface design issues were found to impact user performance in terms of task success and perceived task difficulty, in addition to overall satisfaction. From these results, recommendations are made for university portal design related to the default 'home' page, channel customization and configuration, and placement of user-specific functions.

Chaparro, Barbara S. Usability News (2008). Articles>Web Design>Usability>User Centered Design

Attitudes to Web Accessibility

During the summer of 2003, we ran an online questionnaire, conducted interviews and carried out a literature review on Web accessibility. One hundred and seventeen respondents participated and they included designers, information officers and accessibility advocates. This initial set of results are intended to encourage debate on the subject.

Knight, John. Usability News (2003). Articles>Web Design>Accessibility>Surveys

Where Visual Literacy and Interface Design Meet

Scientists tell us that visual communication is natural human behaviour which all normally sighted persons engage in every day and take for granted, yet it is the product of a complex human intelligence that is very poorly understood.

Hugo, Jacques. Usability News (2005). Articles>User Interface>Visual Rhetoric

Why Readability Testing is not Enough

he recent press coverage of the Bath University research paper "Readability Assessment of British Internet Information Resources on Diabetes Mellitus Targeting Laypersons" has raised interesting questions about some of the methodologies used to measure users' experience on the web. On the face of it, the conclusion and the methodology used is fine, but due to the indiscriminate nature of automated testing tools, it doesn’t present the entire picture and, at worst, can give the impression that the users of these websites can’t understand the content at all, which may not be the case.

Goddard, Matthew. Usability News (2004). Articles>Web Design>Typography>Usability

Comparison of Two Computer Fonts: Serif vs. Ornate Sans Serif

This study compares reading performance between an ornate sans serif font (Gigi) and Times New Roman. The traditional measures of reading speed, comprehensibility, and subjective preference were employed.

Morrison, Sarah and Jan Noyes. Usability News (2003). Articles>Typography>Online

The Effects of Line Length on Reading Online News

This study examined the effects of line length on reading speed, comprehension, and user satisfaction of online news articles. Twenty college-age students read news articles displayed in 35, 55, 75, or 95 characters per line (cpl) from a computer monitor. Results showed that passages formatted with 95 cpl resulted in faster reading speed. No effects of line length were found for comprehension or satisfaction, however, users indicated a strong preference for either the short or long line lengths.

Shaikh, A. Dawn. Usability News (2005). Articles>Typography>Online>Usability

Colons at the End of Labels?

You are writing captions or labels for fields in forms, for example 'Name' or 'Date of birth'. Should they be finished with a colon, or not?

Light, Ann. Usability News (2006). Articles>Web Design>Usability>Forms

Breadcrumb Navigation: Further Investigation of Usage

There are three different types of breadcrumbs represented in websites – path, attribute, and location. Path breadcrumb trails are dynamic in that any given page will show a different breadcrumb trail based on how the user reached the page. Attribute breadcrumb trails display meta information showing many different trails representing several possible paths to reach the page.

Rogers, Bonnie Lida and Barbara S. Chaparro. Usability News (2003). Articles>Web Design>Information Design

Where's the Search? Re-Examining User Expectations of Web Objects

In 2001, Bernard determined that users were able to form a schema for the location of web objects on informational websites. The current study investigates whether users' expectations have changed since the 2001 study. Changes were found in the expected location of the site search engine, internal links, and advertisements.

Shaikh, A. Dawn and Kelsi Lenz. Usability News (2006). Articles>Web Design>Search>User Centered Design

UPA UK Salary Survey shows £38,000 Mean

The first UPA UK salary survey results show a range of £18,500 to £90,000 paid to British usability specialists, with a mean of £37,801 and a median of £35,000.

Light, Ann. Usability News (2003). Careers>Salaries>Usability>United Kingdom