Warning on corporate Web sites

The Nielsen Norman Group of Internet consultants (NNG) has warned that many companies are failing to put usability first when designing their Web sites and intranets - and are losing money and business as a result.

Jakob Nielsen, principal of NNG, said, "(Companies should) make the Web work for users, not try to wow or stun them with design." NNG has compiled a 10-point checklist for creating a homepage. It includes provisions for design enhancements, suggestions for page titles, sections to include, and recommendations for graphics to display content.

"Scale back the design of a site and make it easier to navigate and read, and that helps everybody," said Nielsen.

Nielsen recommended that companies should appoint an editor with overall responsibility for the content of their Web site, to avoid wasteful conflict.

"Too often the content is controlled by rival departments; in-fighting can mean that their interests are represented and not the needs of customers," he said.

Nielsen said that good design for company intranets is also important for efficiency, but most companies are failing to follow good practices.

"The intranet must be a communications and a work tool," he said. "But there are millions of bad intranets out there".

He said most sites NNG had studied were lacking in simple features such as regular updates and search facilities. He argued that editing should be improved to inform and assist employees. Nielsen added that if firms do not adopt good practices they may get poor value from their IT investments.

See also:

Interview: Good online design pays off

Firms should focus on content and easy navigation systems for their online sites, argues usability expert Jakob Nielsen  15 Nov 2002

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