Logo Update

After a very helpful discussion with NED23 students on WebCT, I have updated my proposed logo design. The following issues were raised by fellow students:

• Not enough contrast - especially the dark red subtext.
• Words may be too tight together.

Most agreed that the first logo was the best because the background symbol was more appealing than the abstract shapes.

The following two designs are now my working drafts:

Logo Ideas

Here are some of the logo designs I have come up with so far.
A wisp of smoke maybe?
Not sure about this next one:
This one is semi-interesting:
I started this one a few months ago, before I realised that it was too childish and unprofessional looking for a professional website. Also, users might mistake it for a button. Nevertheless, I still like it for some reason:

Recommendations from Usability Testing Sessions

1. Use a text size that is comfortable for a majority of users.
2. Use rollover effects for links. They make it easier to discern links from regular text/images, and they can be quite visually appealing.
3. If implementing a large logo, it is best to display it only on the starting page. Large logo’s can be visually distracting if overused.
4. Be careful about which form fields you make required ones. If the user doesn’t want to give certain information, they won’t hesitate to falsify.
5. Whatever colour scheme you choose, ensure that it doesn’t distract users too much. It must have enough contrast to be readable. This may also affect the required text size.
6. Use image previews on the “Portfolio” page. This will make it easier for users to quickly view your previous site designs. Also, it may prevent them from clicking their way out of your site!
7. Ensure that you limit the number of menu options and pages within the site, because users will have trouble finding what they are looking for.
8. Keep wordiness to an absolute minimum.
9. Ensure that menu links are unambiguous. For example, “Contact” and “Support” are too closely related to be separate items. I would replace “Support” with “Help”.

Findings from Usability Testing Sessions

Findings for Netdogz

Both participants stated that the text was too small to read comfortably. Although it is possible to increase the size of most text within the browser, neither of the two participants knew about this function. Regardless, anything that takes the user extra time to accomplish, is likely to detract from their overall experience with that site.

The large site logo, found only on the “home” page, immediately drew the attention of both participants. Additionally, Paul stated that the logo added a lot to the web site’s visual appeal, whilst Ellie thought it was “ok”. The fact that it is only found on the “home” page means that it cannot take over the site and possibly detract from the experience.

Another minor issue discovered was that the “phone number” field on the contact form was a required one. Ellie explained that she would enter a false number more often than not. Perhaps this field could be left as not required, because from the Netdogz standpoint, there is no reason to collect false information from users when they don’t have to. That way, only users who wish to be contacted by phone will enter their phone number.

Both participants decided that they liked this web site due to its appealing colour scheme and overall layout. From the three web sites tested, this one rated the best among participants.

Findings for Darwin Web Design

There were no complaints about text size for this site. This leads me to assume that the text is of a reasonable size - taking into account that it is black text, against a white background.

The most appealing feature of this web site was its scrolling design preview at the top of each page. Both participants said that this feature drew their attention immediately; also both decided that they liked the feature. When clicked, the scrolling preview leads users to the “Portfolio” page. One participant, Paul, said that he really liked this page.

On the downside, the colour scheme was displeasing to one participant, whilst the other made no comment on it.

Findings for Focus Web Design

One participant complained of small text size.

Both participants said that they liked the rollover effects in the main navigation menu at the top of the page.

Both participants said that they liked the web site’s colour scheme.

Unfortunately, both participants decided that the portfolio page was poor compared to the previous two sites. This was due to the fact that no image previews of the web site designs were included – only links to the respective sites. This increases the amount of time it takes for users to get an idea of the types of designs that the company creates.

Each participant criticised the site, with comments such as:

• Too much wordiness,
• Too many options in the menu, and
• Too many pages to browse.

It was obvious that the separate “Contact” and “Support” links in the menu were confusing to one participant.

Video Release Agreement

Below is a sample copy of the video release agreement form that I will be presenting to my formal usability test participants.

Thank you for participating in my research assignment. I will be recording your session for observation purposes. Please read the statement below and sign where indicated. Thank you.

_ _ _ _ _ _

I understand that my test session will be recorded. I grant Anthony Phillips permission to use this recording for academic research ONLY, for the purpose of utilizing my feedback, and waive my rights to review or inspect the recording prior to such use.

Please print your name: ____________________________

Signature: _______________________________

Date:__________________

Testing Script

Hi, _______. My name is Anthony, and I will be walking you through this session.

Let me explain why we’re here today: I’m testing three web sites to see what they are like for actual people to use. I want to make it clear that we’re testing the sites, not you. You can’t do anything wrong here so don’t worry about making mistakes.

Also, don’t worry about hurting my feelings because I didn’t create the pages you’re going to look at. I want to improve on these sites with my own future design, so I need to know honestly what you think.

As we go along, I’m going to ask you to think out loud, to tell me what’s going through your mind.

If you have questions, just ask. I may not be able to answer them right away, since I’m interested in how people do when they don’t have someone sitting next to them, but I will try to answer any questions you still have when we’re done.

You may have noticed the microphone. With your permission, I’m going to record what happens on the computer screen and what you have to say. The recording will be used only to help me figure out how to improve on the sites, and won’t be seen or heard by anyone except my university instructor and myself. It also helps me, because I don’t have to take as many notes.

If you would, I’m going to ask you to sign something for me. It simply says that I have your permission to record you, but that it will only be used by my university instructor, and myself. Do you have any questions before we begin?

Before we look at the sites, I’d like to ask you just a few quick questions.

• First, what’s your occupation?
• Roughly how many hours a week would you say you spend using the Internet, including email?
• How do you spend that time? In a typical day, for instance, tell me what you do, at work and at home.
• Do you have any favourite Web sites?
• OK, let’s have a look at the first web site then.

http://www.netdogz.com

• First, I’m just going to ask you to look at this page and tell me, at a glance, what do you think this site is about? And again, try to think out loud as much as possible.
• What draws your attention immediately? And, what would you click on first?
• Now I am going to get you to have a quick browse around this web site. And, if possible, try to explain your thoughts and feelings, or likes and dislikes about the site.
• Can you show me how you would you go about contacting this company?

http://www.darwinwebdesign.com.au

• Now I’m going to ask you to look at this next site and tell me, at a glance, what do you think this site is about? And again, try to think out loud as much as possible.
• What draws your attention immediately? And, what would you click on first?
• Now I am going to get you to have a quick browse around this web site. And, if possible, try to explain your thoughts and feelings, or likes and dislikes about the site.
• Can you show me how you would you go about contacting this company?

http://www.focuswebdesign.com.au

• Now I’m going to ask you to look at this third and final site and tell me, at a glance, what do you think this site is about? Again, try to think out loud as much as possible.
• What draws your attention immediately? And, what would you click on first?
• Now I am going to get you to have a quick browse around this web site. And, if possible, try to explain your thoughts and feelings, or likes and dislikes about the site.
• Can you show me how you would you go about contacting this company?

Ok. That concludes the session. Thank you very much for assisting me today.

Questionnaire Results

1. What is your gender?

Male	3	43%
Female	4	57%
Total Respondents	7	100%

2. What year were you born?

1983 1981 1975 1969 1967 1967 1961

3. Which of the following describes you (tick all that apply)?

Student	5	71%
Self-employed/Business owner	5	71%
Employed (full or part time)	2	29%
Homemaker	1	14%
Pensioner	1	14%

4. Please indicate your highest level of education completed?

Some university	6	86%
Some post graduate	1	14%
Total	7	100%

5. On average, how many hours per week do you use the Internet?

11-20	1	14%
More than 20	6	86%
Total	7	100%

6. For how many years have you been a regular Internet user (best estimate)?

2	1	14%
3	1	14%
7	1	14%
8	1	14%
9	1	14%
10	1	14%
15+	1	14%
Total	7	100%

7. What tasks do you regularly use the Internet for (tick all that apply)?

Shopping	6	86%
Banking	7	100%
Email	7	100%
Chat/IM	4	57%
Academic Research	7	100%
Product/service research	6	86%
Games	3	43%
Promoting a business	3	43%
Conducting a business	4	57%

8. When you visit a business/shopping website, what website features make you feel comfortable with, and/or trusting of the business?

1	Secure transactions, Professional look/feel
2	Quality of content, quality of products & service, overall design (looks like it's been made by a pro / amateur etc), ease of navigation, security (payments etc).
3	secure banking facilities - names that I know and trust
4	clear navigation and/or instructions
5	paypal, shopping cart, telephone number contact details address
6	Like to see a known company, contact details, abn, business address, prices (some want to hide their prices). I like fluid designs: CSS usually makes a site easier to use and faster to load whereas frames and tables dramatically increase loading times and are problematic. Especially on shopping sites flash can be a real problem; the simpler the site the better that's why ebay is so effective: it's just html & CSS.
7	personal info about the people who work there and their willingness / speediness in answering email queries about the product / service. contact info i guess.

(Similar responses highlighted)

9. And what do you think is the most important of these website features?

1	Secure transactions
2	Quality of products and service
3	security
4	what website features? or have I missed something
5	paypal
6	definitely CSS for layout
7	person to person communication

(Similar responses highlighted)

10. What features put you off using a particular business/shopping website?

1	Broken images and links, Splash screens, Slow email response
2	Not enough products / product info, no assurance of secure payment
3	too difficult to navigate
4	pop up ads, unclear navigation and/or instructions
5	no contact details or phone number
6	Do not like broken links on shopping sites eg: woolworths homshop (either their webmaster is overworked or just not keeping up). Slow loading pages (frames and tables) and very poor search tool eg: coles online.. the search usually crashes the site if you try to search for more than one word.
7	too many pages for transaction, slow downloads, self-important marketese and not enough info about product(including tiny images) etc.

(Similar responses highlighted)

11. Do you currently have a business website?

Yes	3	43%
No	4	57%
Total	7	100%

12. Which of the following services would you consider paying for (tick all that apply)?

Website design	3	43%
Website re-design	2	29%
Logo design	4	57%
Shopping cart system	6	86%
Content management system	4	57%

13. What would be your preferred payment option for such services?

Easy online estimate, followed by pre-arranged quote	6	86%
Other - Online Estimate with follow-up discussion and quote	1	14%
Total	7	100%

Notes: Some irrelevant responses may have been excluded from these results.

Market Research Questionnaire

Please take my market research questionnaire. It will only take a few minutes of your time, and it is 100% anonymous. Thank you in advance.

Market Research - Site 3 - Darwin Web Design

Similar Topic
Darwin Web Design is a web design company based in Darwin (you wouldn't guess it).

Visual Style
Nothing special about this visual style, other than the scrolling preview (see functionality).

Functionality
The scrolling preview of the website portfolio is a nice touch. I plan to use similar functionality for my upcoming website design. Also, this site has the best contact page of the 3 sites I have reviewed in my Market Research assignment.

Critique!

• Blindingly bad colour contrast. White background with light coloured text!
• Hypertext links are not easily discernible from other text content. This is most visible on the home page. The list of coloured headings on the right side of the page does not contain any links!
• Again, verbosity is an issue.
• Again, there is not enough white-space.
  

Market Research - Site 2 - Focus Web Design

Similar Topic
Focus Web Design is a Web Design company (no surprise!).

Visual Style
I particularly like the navigation icons with names underneath. The icons act as conventions, whilst the text label ensures that users aren't bewildered by MMN.

Functionality
I like that the navigation links are neatly grouped into drop-down menus.

Critique!

• Verbosity
• Errors - eg. In the navigation menu, the rollover image for "Support" is unfortunately replaced by the "Services" rollover image.
• Spelling errors - eg. In the navigation menu, under "about us", the word "guarantees" is misspelt as "guarentees". This is a very important word to potential clients, and should never be misspelt (you can lose credibility). I personally gaurintee that I will never misspell it.
• There are no previews on the portfolio page. A small preview allows potential clients to quickly assess your previous work before committing to click the link.
  

Market Research - Site 1 - NetDogz

Similar Topic
NetDogz is a Web Services site.

Visual Style
It's visual content is generally well arranged. It makes good use of colour and contrast, whilst keeping hypertext links easily discernible from other text and images. Overall it is quite visually appealing to me.

Functionality
This site has some of the functionality I would like to incorporate into my final design. It has simple, straight-forward navigation. Also, it makes good use of Flash on the home page for navigation links and site logo. Notably, the website is NOT dependant on the Flash plugin.

Critique!
There are a few things I dislike about this site.

• Verbosity. There is simply too much information and "happy talk" on most of the pages.
  
• White-space. Not enough of it!
• The portfolio page could possibly be simplified and reduced from 3 pages.
• Information is repeated on the "about us" and "contact us" pages. It is unnecessary. A link to the contact page could easily replace the repeated information on the "about us" page.
  

My Proposed Website

I know that a few people already have a very similar idea. My idea is a portfolio/showcase Website for design skills. It would provide potential customers with my contact details and examples of my site designing ability. The site would be entitled something like:

Anthony Phillips - Web Designer

Specialising in Websites that people love to use.

I have never done a site promoting myself as a designer, but I am getting to the stage that I think I am ready to do one. I would probably need to convince my target audience that usability is more important than feature-rich design in terms of end-users experience.

Top Ten Things I Hate About the Web

10. Small font sizes that can't be adjusted. Thats just poor design.
9. Splash Screens - I just don't like them.
8. Websites that use PDFs for information that should be in HTML - Annoying wait while the PDF loads, harder to search, PDFs seem to crash my browser occasionally.
7. Spam emails - I don't need to buy viagra, OEM software or body part enlargements. If I did, I would find them myself.
6. Colour schemes - Too bright, not enough contrast or colours that don't fit together.
5. Popups - Congratulations you have won a laptop (fineprint: first you must complete these 22 sponsor offers, some of which are free, most of which cost more than the laptop).
4. Maintenance issues - Websites that always seem to be "under construction" or "under repair". Just make it work!
3. 404 Page not found! - The most accessed page on the Internet (don't quote me, i'm just making a point).
2. Overloaded servers - Slow connection leading to slow page loading and timeouts.
1. Web standards that are supposed to be adopted by developers, but they only work in 1% of users' browsers (again, don't quote me).

Things I love about the Web (no top 10 this time):
Makes so many aspects of life so much easier. An example is shopping for obscure items or products that are only available in another country. I am a big NHL (ice hockey) fan, and the majority of NHL merchandise just isn't available in Australia.
Find answers to everyday questions so easily. I use this to prove my friends wrong all the time. I also use it to find useless info that I can slip into conversations to make myself sound smarter (eg. did you know that sound travels 15 times faster through steel than it travels through air? wow, you are smart anthony!).