Okay, so how long has it been since I was first introduced to the Internet? Hmmm... 10, 12 maybe 15 years. Yes, it's been about fifteen years since I first heard about some of the vast potential of the Internet. I've heard many analogies to describe how everything on the Internet relates. You've probably heard many of the same eg, the Internet is like a web or its a superhighway, to name a few. I'm sure there are many more analogies too. I've always thought that these common metaphors refer to the infrastructure of the Internet, you know, the foundation that connects all the intersecting points together.
As I've continued to study Human Computer Interaction (HCI), my focus has moved from the infrastructure of the Internet and the external connections among web resources to wanting clearer understanding how the client is interacting with a particular web resource at any given millisecond. I often wonder about the thought processes that are occurring cognitively for a client as they glance at a navigation button on a screen or hear the button label read aloud while I observe clients exploring web based tools. How I can anticipate their next click of the mouse or their next move on the screen and build the navigate to support their cognition?
One analogy related to HCI that has become so apparent to me is how driving my car around town and web navigation are quite related.
Here's how....
Home is generally from where I begin my journey and where I end it. In between I have certain destinations that I want to reach as efficiently as I can. For example, home to grocery store. Okay, I have to deal with a few lights, but hopefully no detours and if I do get detoured, I sure hope it's well marked because I have a purpose, getting groceries, and I don't want it to take any longer then necessary. Home to the grocery store and I don't want to get diverted from my task.
Now apply these same concepts to how clients navigate through a web site. I'm on the home page of a web site and want to purchase a pair of shoes. So I click on the Buy Shoes button and want to be presented with shoe choices so I can select a pair that I like. When I click on the Buy Shoes button selection I don't expect to be presented with choices for things other than shoes, you know I don't want to look at coats, dresses, sporting goods. I just want to look at shoes. If I do get a message that leads me to a detour, I hope the web designer makes it easy for me to get back on track so I can buy shoes. Are you getting the connection, am I painting a picture? I have a purpose and a goal and I want to get there and get back Home(Page) without incident, without getting lost.
This morning I was driving home from the grocery store on one of several usual routes home. As I turned on my blinker to make a right turn, I did so with little thought and in anticipation of an expected outcome which was the right turn onto E Street. That right turn would make me one street closer to home. Please no detours, everything looked familiar and worked. Stop sign, right blinker again, accelerate...familiar with no exceptions. If someone knew me and where I lived they could almost anticipate my next move. Interesting. How can I apply this thinking and these principles to my customers and other customers web experiences?
Know thy audience. In web design, can we build a system or web site that anticipates someones next move? I think we're getting closer to that design every day. And like the street designs and intersections in our town, web sites also have street designs but they're called navigation. Navigation is at the root of every customer's experience.
Be smart. Build it wisely. Test it often.
