Versatility By Design

Something we seem to be seeing a lot of recently in web portal designs is a level of versatility in the design which give way to some user customization of the interface. Take for instance, msn.com, which allows the user to select from one of five color themes. The structure and layout of the site does not change, only the color scheme. The recently redesigned Yahoo portal, yahoo.com, gives the user another page option outside of the color palette; the user also has the option to modify the page layout by selecting either the wide or narrow layout. A similar concept can be applied to any high traffic portal such as a company Intranet depending, of course, on the company size and the level of user interest in such a feature.

In effect, the designers are creating a shell onto which various skins can be applied. Such versatile and extensible designs are not easy to come by. Its a challenge to design for the masses. So, by offering these various GUI options, such portable designs increase their odds of appealing to more users.

Case for UI Consistency

I presented at a Technology Symposium last week on the importance and value of consistency of User Interfaces (UI). It came as no surprise the number of engineers whom shared my conviction that the availability of consistent UI standards and guidelines are critical to the ease and success of their projects. But if we look at the bigger picture, it really feeds into and goes beyond this to a greater good, if you will...the good of the company! Good consistent UI and design is important for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the usability of a company's web properties. It serves to improve the usability of a web site or application given that a consistent user experience facilitates ease of use as users move from one site or application to another. It eliminates the need for users to re-learn how to use one site over another within the same family of sites; otherwise, you run the risk of losing them altogether.

UI consistency also promotes web credibility. If a company's web sites are consistent across the board, it builds credibility and engenders trusts with users. It gives the appearance to customers, partners, and investors alike that the company has its act together, that they are organized, and that they can be relied upon. UI consistency also yields an ROI as a consistent UI facilitates business and ultimately, has a positive effect on the bottom line of a company. And, it reinforces the company's brand as the user experience online is attributable to the brand. A good experience builds good brand associations; a not-so-good experience lends itself to poor brand associations.

Net Neutrality

Imagine having your access to web site content determined and filtered by big brother. Well, that's exactly what's about to happen. Big business is lobbying congress to pass legislation that would control your access to web site content based on network access. The telcos would essentially control the internet superhighway by setting up a toll booth for access to the fast lane and for which web sites would pay a premium to provide faster access to their content.

The concept of network or net neutrality is an important one that cannot be ignored if there is any hope of preserving the internet as we have all come to know and love it...as a free, open, and democratic virtual sand box. The impact on web site usability would be detrimental as the user experience will be affected by so-called fast and slow lane access to internet content. The control would be taken out of the hands of users. Would startups, non-profits, and personal sites have to revert to text only web sites and abandon e-commerce and other online transactional activities in the hopes of users being able to access their content? Clearly, sites travelling in the slow lane would have to re-think their site design and usability accordingly. Even so, there is no guarantee they would even show up on the radar.

Here are related articles on this important topic: http://www.freepress.net/news/15809 and http://www.savetheinternet.com/ and petition available at http://action.freepress.net/campaign/savethenet.