The Usability of words
Content is a fairly important usability meta-category [the others are Navigation, Functionality and Aesthetic Design]. Not only should the content be accurate, complete and concise, but also have the right tone to meet the context – e.g. authoritative, friendly, formal, reassuring. We are all aware of the challenge of making information short enough that users will read it, yet complete enough to satisfy their needs.
Content sometimes needs to be tailored to a user’s task flow: In a recent study for online insurance, customers wanted short summaries of insurance cover prior to a quote process, then more detailed documentation once the quote was being seriously considered.
Is there better terminology to communicate your message? Look at this sign on a door at North Sydney Rail Station. Why was egress chosen instead of exit?
Check your content – is it as brief as it can be? Try to write in bulleted lists, support content with images or icons that reinforce the message, keep phrases to about 7 words and provide for aggregation into conceptual chunks using headings or labels.
Is the content accurate? Have a look at this installation guide I came across recently (click on the link below). Needs a bit of editing you think? It’s quite funny.
Installation Guide [492 KB image opens in a new window]
Friday, October 2nd, 2009, 9:24 am, News
