Archive for the ‘Website Usability’ Category

I think that often times heatmaps are overlooked because either the analytics package doesn’t offer it, the analytics package version of a heatmaps leaves much to be desired or the heatmap just isn’t understood. Heatmaps are fantastic ways to to see which links on your website are the most popular and which features on your site are most sticky.

So what can this type of information tell you? I’m glad you asked. A heatmap can help you make a number of pertinent decisions regarding the layout of your website and use of interactive features, such as:

Should your navigation links be located on the top or left of your website?

Do people use the “bookmark” button on your blog posts?

If you have links in two places, which area is most popular?

If you place a “buy now” button next to the product image and under the product description, which button is used the most?

Example of a heatmap:

Notice that the more red area shows more heat or a higher level of engagement with the functions of that part of the website. Would you like to see a heatmap of your website and see which areas are most used? Let us set you up with a great analytics package that can provide you with a heatmap and so much more!

Every month I review a book related to online marketing, metrics or doing business online. It is my goal to give you an arsenal of literature that can better assist you in being successful conducting business online.

Title: Don’t Make Me Think, A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
Author: Steve Krug
Edition: 2nd Edition
Copyright: 2005

Rating:

Review:

This is one of those books that you will keep and reference for as long as you have a business website. Steve takes a common sense approach to website usability and after reading it (and surfing the Internet looking at other websites) you will find that sense is not necessarily common to everyone. If you want to make sure that your website is user-friendly, un-offensive and gives the right message to your customers, then you must purchase, read and take heed of the advice in this book.

I would categorize this book as a “Must Have” for your online business library.

Purchase This Book:

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Have you ever visited a website and found it difficult to read because the colors washed out the text or made your eyes hurt? You’d be surprised at how common it is for commerical sites to have improper website colors.