Don't Make Me Think By: Steve Krug

“Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug is a great read for teams looking to get great web design tips and improve their websites. I would absolutely recommend it to beginners like myself and people who just started venturing into web design. It’s a short read with basic concepts that are very easy to follow. The book incorporates real life situations making the tips easier and more logical to follow. It’s not only for beginners. Every member of the team from managers to web designers can get great information and suggestions from this book.

What makes a good website based on what the book recommends?

·      A good website should have short precise, straight to the point topics, stories, themes.

·      A good website should be self-explanatory, meaning it shouldn’t have instructions to follow. And if they do, make sure they are well thought out and thorough.

·      Test the website by having people visit it. After you’ve created it you are likely exposed to it many times and are desensitized. Have someone else look at it and offer feedback. Fresh eyes will help in catching details that your eyes have missed.

·      Great visuals such as pictures, videos, slideshows, galleries.  These need to instantly grab the users attention. Bold, eye-catching words and big banners across the page or on the sides also catch user’s attention.

·      A great website should have content that improves the user’s life in some aspect.  Whether it is something they didn’t know or how to fix something. New information should be presented to better the user’s life.

·      Put time and commitment into the website. The time put in will show in the quality and success of the site. Make sure you do a good job and if that requires spending a lot of time then so be it. It will pay off.

·      The users should be able to make mindless choices hence, “Don’t Make Me Think.” They should not have to think twice before clicking a link or a page.

·      A website shouldn’t demand a lot of time from users.  It is less likely to be used if it is time consuming.

·      The site should be simple enough to use that people of average ability or below average can figure out without difficulty.

·      Comment box should be available to allow opinions to be shared and discussions to start within users. This increases chances of creating a community amongst users.

·      Search box and FAQs link should be included as well to guarantee the users find exactly what they are looking for.