Keep these usability goals in mind when developing online applications:
- Know the users and write/ design for them.
- Write directions that are clear, concise, and complete.
- Write and design to reduce or eliminate the need for help text.
- Get user feedback and revise as needed.
Follow these usability guidelines for writing and design:
- Be consistent in:
- Use of icons
- Titles
- Labels
- Placement of page elements
- Buttons
- Editorial style
- Write and format instructions clearly:
- Place instructions right above or to the left of the action desired. (People read from top to bottom and left to right.)
- Place and order information and directions logically, e.g., number steps, group similar data requirements.
- Write instructions as concisely and clearly as possible.
- Design for predictability:
- Show where the user is in the process.
- Give screens meaningful titles so users remember where they are and what they’re doing.
- Show what will happen next: What’s the next step? Who will receive notification?
- Use color cues.
- Use icons that have standard (and understandable) meanings.
- Use the same format on each screen to help users predict where to find directions and where to start the process for that screen.
- Design for ease of use:
- Let the user tab from field to field.
- Automatically place the cursor in the first field on a screen.
- Provide confirmation and warning pop-ups and screens.
- Design the tool to be self-correcting so users can’t go on if they make an error or skip an essential field.
- Specify how data should be formatted (mm/dd/yyyy).
- Indicate mandatory fields.
- Design look-ups to populate the field with the desired data.
- Build an intuitive format or process to reduce the need for directions or help text.
- Stack fields vertically and restrict screen width to avoid horizontal scrolling.
- Use a black, sans-serif font against a white or very light background.
- Address these process issues:
- Use Single Sign-On so the application recognizes the user.
- Design for accessibility, including an option to change font size.
- Include Save and Preview options on each screen if possible.
- Indicate when users should print a screen for their files.
- Give clear printing instructions so the user doesn’t have to print a screen shot.
If you have questions, contact Sydney Donahoe, (858) 822-4430.
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