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Simplify This: User Experience Experts Are in Demand
Sep 27th
It’s about time. If we’re going to be online and be in business online, then I want it to be as easy as possible. I don’t want to log in to some digital tool and get lost before I get to the second screen. And I especially don’t want to have to overthink in order to understand how to use the tool.
I’m at a crossroads and my guess is you may be at the same spot. I’m loving the technology—and the advances and the potential—but I am drawn to simplicity, as in “easy” (or at least “easier”) to use tools that solve my complicated marketing problems. (Most of the tools I use are for marketing purposes, such as content management systems like blogs and website frameworks, social network interfaces, email list building platforms, etc.).
In fact, I have changed my email list-building platform three times so far and every time it was because of the user experience. Two platforms looked great but weren’t intuitive (enough for me) to use—and I got lost in a maze of links and buttons. The third platform was easier to use, but ugly to look at—and I lost my marketing inspiration in that visually challenged back office.
But the tides are changing.
Are You a User Experience (UX) Expert?
OnwardSearch.com recently released a Guide to UX Careers. At left is an infographic highlighting the growing demand for User Experience Experts. While it breaks down the jobs and positions in this industry, it also exposes a possible opportunity for specialized small business owners and consultants.
There are more websites today, as well as a demand for more sophisticated components on our websites, such as landing pages and shopping carts. We demand these components look and function a certain way, while also being easy to implement. And this demand creates an opportunity, suggesting that it may be a good idea for freelancers and professionals in the emerging UX field to polish their skills so that they can take advantage of this shift.
But maybe you are on the other end.
Do You Need a User Experience (UX) Expert?
When the shoe is on the other foot and we find ourselves in front of the counter (as the customer) instead of behind it, then we are looking to have an excellent user experience. Likewise, our clients want the same thing from us. Brian Wallace, owner of NowSourcing.com and the designer of the infographic above, gave me three pieces of quick advice for small business owners who are looking to hire a User Experience Expert. He says:
- GET CLEAR. “Make sure you clearly scope your project. Define what you want to accomplish as well as the projected goals you hope to achieve.”
- BRING THE ENTHUSIASM. “Be prepared to sell the sizzle of your project. The best designers are attracted to the best projects, so be able to demonstrate why this would appeal to their skills.”
- PERSONALITY MATTERS. “It’s not just about their technical skills. Make sure you find someone you can work with, collaboratively, throughout the duration of the project.”
When he’s looking to add new team members to NowSourcing, Brian says he looks for a person with “outstanding creative insight.” And that’s what the user experience is about. At least that’s what we want it to be about—happy customers, easier use and a better look and feel. Now, that’s outstanding.
Simplify This: User Experience Experts Are in Demand
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
Wp User Reviews – WordPress to Facebook Viral Marketing tool
Aug 22nd
Complete Customer Reviews & Ratings Software package for WordPress. Viral Marketing WordPress to facebook Reviews & Ratings plugin – Must-have Wp plugin, huge market – No competition, Plug & Play, emails,banners,articles @ http://wpuserreviews.com/jv
Wp User Reviews – WordPress to Facebook Viral Marketing tool
User Interface and Site Usability – Brands Who’ve Done It Right
May 10th
How many times have you clicked on a search result only to land on a page that’s just not user friendly? If you’re like most Internet users, it’s a regular occurrence. And, like most, you probably click that back button within seconds. However, when you find a site that has a great interface and you seem to automatically know how to use the features, you bookmark it just as quickly so you’ll always know how to find it again.
If this sounds like you, check out these sites. Every one is extremely usable with a great user interface–they’re definitely worth a place of honor on your favorites list.
Metrofax
This company recently launched their new site on May 3rd. As you explore the Metrofax Internet Faxing redesign, notice that the site’s purpose is instantly recognizable and you can immediately see how to navigate the site. “Overview” “Features” and “How it Works” is clearly right in the front under a slider box- your eyes are drawn to whatever information you would need. If you saw the old site you would notice how much it’s changed.
Digg
Digg is an increasingly popular site that offers a great looking and fast-loading user interface- and while there are some qualms about the change in interface and usage, you have to admit that it’s a bit cleaner. If you have a lot of content to put on your site, but you don’t want it to look too busy or cramped, you can’t find a better example of an exceptional format.
Edmunds
Edmunds recently ventured off their blog and made an Edmunds Tumblr- where they’ll be focusing more on sharing their company culture (such as Edmunds’ rides) rather than general publisher informaton. You’ll see that they pulled in the colors and designs of the Edmunds site, while keeping the layout nice, clean and evenly spaced.
Taptu
The beauty Taptu is that they’ve taken simple to a new level. Notice the big buttons that instantly catch your attention and draw the eyes to the navigation tools. It has also effectively used all of the available screen space to display a ton of thumbnails without overwhelming the viewer.
Yellow Pages
When the Yellow Pages took their famous phone directories from those legendary paper versions to an online model, they carried their branding, including that vivid yellow color, with them to give users a familiar experience. As you view this site, notice the effective use of spacing to emphasize important information.
Amazon
Some of you may not know this, but Amazon started off primarily as a bookseller. It was the go-to place to find the most obscure publications imaginable. Now that they’ve spread out to other markets, they’ve continued to make shopping easy and reliable through an extremely usable interface.
Bank of America
As a mobile app, Bank of America has made this program extremely simple and intuitive. When you arrive at the home page, there’s no question about what the over-sized buttons mean. Click one to sign in, another to find nearby locations and others for information about Bank of America and online banking in general.
Whether you’re using the full-blown version of Facebook or the mobile app, all those dedicated users can’t be wrong. This site features one of the richest, yet easy, interfaces in today’s online world. It loads fast, provides tons of content, looks great and even noobs can use it with ease. Not much to improve on here!
As you review these sites, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by their usability.
What website do you love that has a great interface?
View full post on Business Pundit
Mobile Success Blueprints – Tap Into a 5 Billion User Market!
Apr 15th
Tap into the Hottest & Most Profitable Marketing Trend! Fresh New & Detailed Content with an Irresistible Tools Upgade! Both Front & Back Offers Are Converting Very High! Top Quality Pro Design. Go To: http://mobilesuccessblueprints.com/affiliates.php
Mobile Success Blueprints – Tap Into a 5 Billion User Market!
Forexbling trading strategy for Fapturbo user
Apr 6th
Forex Bling Continue Making Money For 2009 – The Most Consistent Forex Making Money Robots. It Contain Scalping, Breakout, Grid And Trend Trading In 1 Package. Special price for Fapturbo subscription
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Facebook Apps Secretly Share User Info
Oct 18th
Image: CNET’s Surveillance State
Another Facebook privacy gaffe has hit the fan, thanks to a Wall Street Journal investigation. A number of popular Facebook apps, including Farmville, have been sharing information with third-party advertisers and data companies. The Wall Street Journal’s investigative report has more:
The apps, ranked by research company Inside Network Inc. (based on monthly users), include Zynga Game Network Inc.’s FarmVille, with 59 million users, and Texas HoldEm Poker and FrontierVille. Three of the top 10 apps, including FarmVille, also have been transmitting personal information about a user’s friends to outside companies.
Most apps aren’t made by Facebook, but by independent software developers. Several apps became unavailable to Facebook users after the Journal informed Facebook that the apps were transmitting personal information; the specific reason for their unavailability remains unclear.
The information being transmitted is one of Facebook’s basic building blocks: the unique “Facebook ID” number assigned to every user on the site. Since a Facebook user ID is a public part of any Facebook profile, anyone can use an ID number to look up a person’s name, using a standard Web browser, even if that person has set all of his or her Facebook information to be private. For other users, the Facebook ID reveals information they have set to share with “everyone,” including age, residence, occupation and photos.
The apps reviewed by the Journal were sending Facebook ID numbers to at least 25 advertising and data firms, several of which build profiles of Internet users by tracking their online activities….one data-gathering firm, RapLeaf Inc., had linked Facebook user ID information obtained from apps to its own database of Internet users, which it sells. RapLeaf also transmitted the Facebook IDs it obtained to a dozen other firms, the Journal found.
The applications transmitting Facebook IDs may have breached their own privacy policies, as well as industry standards, which say sites shouldn’t share and advertisers shouldn’t collect personally identifiable information without users’ permission.
Facebook once again proves that your privacy is the price of connecting with people online for free. Thank you, WSJ, for uncovering this.
View full post on Business Pundit
Strategic Marketing welcomes Juliën Alzein from Holland » TCPalm.com (User story from msachnin#523716)
Sep 10th
| Strategic Marketing, Inc., a full-service advertising, marketing and public relations agency in West Palm Beach, FL,… |
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The Average Twitter User Is How Old?
Sep 9th
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Interested in more social media news and discussion? Join TNW Social Media on Facebook and Twitter, or grab our RSS feed About… |
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Consumer Watchdog Uses Google Analytics to Track User Behavior…Wait, What?
Sep 3rd
| History buff and music journalist turned social media enthusiast, Yvonne Bell is the new Search and Social Media blogger for SEJ. |
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John McCain Is Senate’s Leading User of Senate Online Marketing
Sep 2nd
| Because McCain is mentioned all the time on this particular political blog on the Internet, which is also on the Twitter… |
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