Thought I would post some feedback to validate how much user's appreciate it when their needs are reflected on new and redeveloped websites that are developed from a task-focused user's perspective:
"I can already tell that this site was built with the user experience in mind and not the usual "government-eese".
"Such a website is long overdue and much appreciated from a buyer/user-perspective. This will no doubt save time and energy in having to search through various pages/sites and contribute to more efficiencies."
Check out this example of a user-centric, task-focused website: http://www.buyandsell.gc.ca
Showing posts with label user task. Show all posts
Showing posts with label user task. Show all posts
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
How to create a task-focused website
Task-focused websites are relatively new but absolutely needed to revolutionize a user's experience. Think about it, if you're an organization or business, people come to your site for a specific reason. Generally they are not there to browse, they don't drop in just to check it out - unless they are your competition!
Users and clients go to a website for a specific reason - they are there to find something specific or do something specific. These find's and do's are tasks and for this we create task journeys to help them get the information and complete the task online right within the website.
To determine what are the "top tasks" I look at all the available research: web metrics, search logs, e-surveys, consultations and interviewing help desk and call centre staff. This has to be done for each audience so that you can determine the top 5 tasks for each audience. There will be more tasks - but if you cover the top 5 you've covered the main reasons why users visit your site.
From there it is a matter of developing "linking journeys" for each of the tasks. This is to guide users step-by-step through each of the directions or points of information needed to successfully complete the task.
Sometimes that task is to complete a form and submit something, and sometimes that task is simply to find specific information like a specific contact to address a specific problem.
On your homepage, or a relevant Level 1 audience page or subject page you want to make it easy for your users to get to the task. Create a section called "I want to..." and then list the 5 tasks with task journey links.
Your clients will thank you. My next posts will be feedback from clients validating the importance of task-based websites.
Users and clients go to a website for a specific reason - they are there to find something specific or do something specific. These find's and do's are tasks and for this we create task journeys to help them get the information and complete the task online right within the website.
To determine what are the "top tasks" I look at all the available research: web metrics, search logs, e-surveys, consultations and interviewing help desk and call centre staff. This has to be done for each audience so that you can determine the top 5 tasks for each audience. There will be more tasks - but if you cover the top 5 you've covered the main reasons why users visit your site.
From there it is a matter of developing "linking journeys" for each of the tasks. This is to guide users step-by-step through each of the directions or points of information needed to successfully complete the task.
Sometimes that task is to complete a form and submit something, and sometimes that task is simply to find specific information like a specific contact to address a specific problem.
On your homepage, or a relevant Level 1 audience page or subject page you want to make it easy for your users to get to the task. Create a section called "I want to..." and then list the 5 tasks with task journey links.
Your clients will thank you. My next posts will be feedback from clients validating the importance of task-based websites.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Fast track to Web Channel strategy learnings: 2010
It's been awhile since I posted last. Life and work took me off and away. And now I'm back.
Next week I release a new CMS and government of Canada website that's filled with best practices for user experience based on user tasks and usability.
And this is the first time that I have worked with all of the winning conditions: a budget, open source CMS software (Drupal), a smart, talented and dedicated team: specialists in web design, information architecture, content, SEO, and importantly, a client who sees the absolute potential of the web to transform business process and operations.
It's a unique site the hails the beginning of user task websites. My next few entries will be based on this, so stay tuned...
Next week I release a new CMS and government of Canada website that's filled with best practices for user experience based on user tasks and usability.
And this is the first time that I have worked with all of the winning conditions: a budget, open source CMS software (Drupal), a smart, talented and dedicated team: specialists in web design, information architecture, content, SEO, and importantly, a client who sees the absolute potential of the web to transform business process and operations.
It's a unique site the hails the beginning of user task websites. My next few entries will be based on this, so stay tuned...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Setting objectives for your web channel strategy
Your website objectives should be based on your business or organizational needs because identifying these needs will help determine content priorities, user tasks, even your information architecture/navigation.
Review the following list of objectives and check off those that apply or that will help your business or organization:
• provide general information?
• educate your clients?
• provide reference information and documents?
• support decision makers?
• handle transactions?
• interact with the broader community?
• have information that only specific audiences should be able to access?
• comply with disclosure and legal requirements?
• gain a competitive advantage?
• develop or improve consultation?
• provide a private work area or space for groups of employees?
• provide a private work space for internal project teams?
• provide a secure work space for external client or partner teams?
• manage information?
• provide institutional information?
• publish institutional information?
• promote the institution's image?
• integrate the wide range of information available across the institution?
Review the following list of objectives and check off those that apply or that will help your business or organization:
• provide general information?
• educate your clients?
• provide reference information and documents?
• support decision makers?
• handle transactions?
• interact with the broader community?
• have information that only specific audiences should be able to access?
• comply with disclosure and legal requirements?
• gain a competitive advantage?
• develop or improve consultation?
• provide a private work area or space for groups of employees?
• provide a private work space for internal project teams?
• provide a secure work space for external client or partner teams?
• manage information?
• provide institutional information?
• publish institutional information?
• promote the institution's image?
• integrate the wide range of information available across the institution?
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