How to Improve Usablity

[ominc]

I wanted to get some thoughts on ways we could improve the usability of our of site, we have finished cleaning up the code so it is mostly valid ( has not been uploaded yet ). I cannot help but think we could improve the user experience in someway though. Here is my front page.

http://www.versatables.com/

and here is a category page:

http://www.versatables.com/pages/schoolmain.php

I would love to get some suggestions on how we could improve the look or feel of the site to make it more usable.

Thanks

[Izzmo]

Let me just first say, you have a cool website and I actually make buy some stuff from ya lol I've been looking around for some LCD racks.

It really looks good, the category pages are fine. What I would recommend doing on your homepage is giving a sponsored item (like look at newegg.com). That would get better usability and a better flow and design going.

Overall, not bad at all.

[Arenlor]

No flash, btw when they say usability they mean is HTML 1.0 compliant basically, the whole site should be able to be used in a text only browser with no mouse needed and no javascript or activex. So if you're willing to shove a hot coal where it doesn't belong... be usable lol, really the site looks fine to me, was a lil bit confusing to find something like what I've been looking for but I found it after a random click.

[IslaScotts]

I don't like the fact that you have to "click to activate" the flash menu. You can avoid this by a pretty simple javascript that loads the file from outside the page. Secondly... the links at the bottom seem hapaharazardly placed there... there is no seperators | or they aren't aligned. Otherwise.. Perfecto!

[Mr_Kumar]

The site is very cool. Good work. I'll just say few things:

(1) The description (text) one pages is too small and I need to see it very carefully to make sure what i am reading is what it is written.

(2) Links at bottom are not well marshaled.

(2) If you like, you can put hot products on home.

Again, nice site. Good Luck with site.

[LazyJim]

Looking pretty good, but I've come across a few problems.

Firstly, the already mentioned ones...

Originally Posted by Mr_Kumar

(1) The description (text) one pages is too small and I need to see it very carefully to make sure what i am reading is what it is written.
(2) Links at bottom are not well marshalled.
(3) If you like, you can put hot products on home.

...1... I agree, although this is very common your's seems slightly smaller than usual.
...2... Totally agree. Personally I would cut out all the ones that are just a repeat of the left-hand column links. Then replace the space-separated with a pipe | separated list, or better yet a <ul> html marked-up list (see A List Apart for how to re-style them).
...3...Often a good idea, although I might leave it as the images help encourage people to click further into the site and outline the main categories at the same time.

I like the animated product demos, a nice touch that should attracted attention (as long as you are careful to keep the file sizes to an absolute minimum).

I also like the mouse-over pop-up descriptions of the items in the 'feature' list in the product description pages. This saves space and reduces clutter. It can help keep the information load down for users until they actualy want the information. Usually I'd prefer simply having sub-headings and paragraphs to enable 'scanning' over the information and only reading what is needed, but in this case I wouldn't change it because it would add to the clutter.

Unfortunately these same mouse-over description activation links are run by JavaScript with no fall-back. As a general rule I'd say replace all links that use an address of "#" with links that actually go to the page suggested by the link text. (See this thread). However in this particular case I would put the pop-up/hover-above content back in the page in its normal order, then use CSS to both hide it and make it hover-above, and JavaScript to reveal and hide it again. (Make sure that the CSS specifies it to be visible, use JavaScript to hide it when the page loads; Otherwise people with no JavaScript would still not be able to find it!) The end result of this alteration would look exactly the same as before but allow access without JavaScript!

Another problem was that every time I tried to add something to my basket it showed me an empty basket!
Then I realised the default quantity is ZERO! You might want to consider changing that, (apart from the 'choose accessories' section).

That's as far as I got and I'm going to bed now, hope this helps!

[Mr_Kumar]

Originally Posted by LazyJim

Another problem was that every time I tried to add something to my basket it showed me an empty basket!
Then I realised the default quantity is ZERO! You might want to consider changing that, (apart from the 'choose accessories' section).

Yeah, I too agree with that.

Also, give as many payment options as you can.

[explicitzone.com]

Your site seems to be perfect.

[A.N.Onym]

I'd suggest using text links over Flash. Should make the site load faster a tad.

Also, write your category descriptions for the people and use readable formatting.

[Sadu]

The block of text at the bottom of the homepage is scary. I wouldn't even consider trying to read that.

Break it up with bullet points, white space etc and increase the line height and font size to make it more readable.

[referencement]

- I suggest that you went to amazon web and study his strategy and other big website.
- look to their color, how they give description for each item, how they organisez their catalog.
- when I go to amazon it's easy and every item with his specific description. price, attracive color.

[paranoidandroid]

Hi ominc, I would recommend getting a copy of Don't Make Me Think -by Steve Krug

It's one of the best web related books I have read.

[ominc]

Thanks for the great feedback everybody I'm going to get crankin on all your suggestions and hope to have some improvements in soon!

Thanks again.

[tdd1984]

Originally Posted by ominc

I wanted to get some thoughts on ways we could improve the usability of our of site, we have finished cleaning up the code so it is mostly valid ( has not been uploaded yet ). I cannot help but think we could improve the user experience in someway though. Here is my front page.

http://www.versatables.com/

and here is a category page:

http://www.versatables.com/pages/schoolmain.php

I would love to get some suggestions on how we could improve the look or feel of the site to make it more usable.

Thanks

Honestly the website looks great now! Which granted every website has room for imporvement, but if your sales are converting, and you haven't had no complaints i would stick with current design.

Depending on the customer - some of them get scared of by flash sites, high graphics sties, a lot of entry level people that surf the web like simple interface, for example google ceo said in a video I was watching the other week that the reason they keep there site the way it is becuase of the simple interface, and people love it!

Its the content that matters, yes graphical sites are nice, but remember content is important which I am a website developer for a living .

Your fine, I mean there is improvements that could be made, but for the most part your okay.

[ominc]

Well that improvement is always the key and yes we are going to keep the site generally the same with tiny small incremental improvements.

[NadineTurner]

I agree with the previous comment about the block of text at the bottom of the home page, not sure what the purpose of it is as it's very difficult to read.

Also, on your "about us" page you have a picture and text outside of the main content area which doesn't look too good at all.

[ominc]

Nadine,

I was not able to recreate what your saying.. what browser.. and os?

[NadineTurner]

Hi, I'm using IE and XP

[Sadu]

The problem with the text is not a browser bug.

Let's see if I can illustrate my point...

Computer Furniture manufacturer Versa Tables Inc. is a manufacturer of high quality computer tables, computer desks and computer lab furniture for a variety of environments ranging from schools to private training facilities. We specialize in computer tables that are adjustable and fixed height enclosed computer desks for the school computer furniture market. All of our computer tables are designed specifically for a classroom environment. Each table is built only from high quality materials that make them the perfect classroom computer furniture. Computer tables that are used for computer lab furniture must be both extremely reliable while also offering a variety of configurations, something our school computer furniture excels at. It is important when shopping for computer tables, computer desks and other computer lab furniture to look for a lifetime warranty like the one that is included with every product we product. We also make enclosed computer desks which are non-adjustable but can be accessorized in a variety of ways. Here at Versa Products we take pride in the high level of craftsmanship that goes into all aspects of our classroom computer furniture and we think it is important that our customers know when they purchase from us that they are getting school computer furniture they can depend on. All types of computer furniture, computer racks, desks, computer carts, keyboard trays, laptop desks, keyboard and monitor arms, school and classroom computer furniture, drafting tables, medical furniture and office furniture all manufactured by Versa Tables Inc.

could be better expressed as...

Quality Computer Furniture for Schools
============================
Versa Tables manufacture computer furniture that is used in the leading schools and education facilities across the USA. We specialise in...
-computer desks
-computer tables
-computer lab furniture

Craftsmanship
==========
Our team of furniture makers takes pride in the standard of our world class computer desks and tables.
-high quality materials
-professional finish
-lifetime warranty on every product

Additionally, we can supply computer racks, desks, computer carts, keyboard trays, laptop desks, keyboard and monitor arms, school and classroom computer furniture, drafting tables, medical furniture and office furniture.

You will find more information on our products here, here, here, bla bla bla

My version packs about the same amount of keywords in there, but is so much better for the visitor.

[ominc]

I appreciate you taking the time to write that up. I have been trying to figure out a great way to improve that chunk of text and you really gave me a great jumpstart. Thanks so much.