Archive for the 'usability' Category

Alex

Website usability

We are trying to make Bookmark Base the best bookmark manager available. But that is a good software without a good site?

If you have not yet visited BookmarkBase.com - it’s time to do that. And the main part of post - please, give us some feedback! Clicking on a link you will be taken to a very short survey (just 7 questions) about BookmarkBase.com usability and friendliness. Cast your vote, we will take all opinions into account.

Cast your vote!
We need your opinion!

Alex

Give your user some freedom

I’ve got a funny experience about “cancellation” recently :)

When monitoring visitors footsteps on our site I’ve got an interesting google query in the referrer named “How do I uninstall bookmark base?”.

At the first moment it was like a cold shower - “How dare he(she)? We’re the best from the best!”.

But taking a deep breath and cold thinking are still working. First of all I added a new “How to” section about uninstalling.

This issue pushed me to make a small investigation: what is not clear/unsuitable for user which makes him to leave? Third-party analysis gave me some raw data and I’m working on it now.

Moral: if user is leaving - make all available steps to get notified about leaving reasons. First of all - implement some “uninstall feedback” if your software type allows. Surround your user with “contact us” possibilites: forums, e-mail forms, live chat, support tickets, etc.

If your user will have even a small desire to tell you why does he leave - don’t make this wish disappear.

Alex

Little usability tip

*screaming*
People! Do not ever-ever-ever change look and behaviour of common controls. This confuses user too much.

If you use tree control - it has to have [+] and [-] buttons. If you use list - it should be sortable by clicking on column headers. If you desire to have toolbars in application window - they should be dockable.

That behaviours are probably older than some of your users so do not invent the wheel.