The 'get in, get out' web user

[Greenmind]

There's an interesting, and I think relevant, news item on the BBC site reporting on the 'ruthlessness' of web users. It chimes with what I've always thought about the 'getting things done' nature of ecomerce, and is why I keep my site simple.

The annual report into web habits by usability guru Jakob Nielsen shows people are becoming much less patient when they go online.

Instead of dawdling on websites many users want simply to reach a site quickly, complete a task and leave.

Most ignore efforts to make them linger and are suspicious of promotions designed to hold their attention.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7417496.stm

[leehack]

I agree with the article but i must say these articles make me wonder a little as they appear to be saying (as i see it), that people used to be happy messing around and taking longer, haven't we had the 3-click mantra for about 8 years? The web has been around for a while now, experience is growing, sales are growing, technology (screens, PCs and broadband) have all vastly improved, designs and technology have improved, so all the report tells you is that there is progress really IMO. I always see this kind of report as a bit like telling me that less people die in car crashes due to air bags or there are less speed related accidents near safety cameras.

I never understand who the report is actually aimed at, designers generally know this info, site owners like yourself Bradley know as you've designed your site with this in mind, so who is going to read it and be flabbergasted or take something away from it. Maybe it's just me and how i see things, but these things just seem to be reports for reports sake.

PS - i'm not discussing the worth of referencing the article Bradley, so don't take it that way if you was going to.

[jont]

Another "news" story for the sake of it.... essentially better search engine results are negating web page design as users can find what they want without ploughing through your site from the homepage down. This is a strange thing to be reporting upon by the grandfather of usability on the internet.... it does not matter if your page is upside down and the links not in the standard place as the user will find you via a search and then leave just as quickly.

Maybe the story should be on the death of web usability as no one clicks on any pages other than the one they landed on!!!

[RuralWeb]

Another "news" story for the sake of it

And another - business leaders have stated that the biggest threat to thier business development is GOOGLE. As more people are being driven to use the internet then business leaders see it as vital that they are at the N01 position on Google BUT they cannot get there and see it as Googles fault!!

Obviously they have crap websites and thier developers are blaming thier SERPs on Google rather than the website. So these business leaders are promoting Yahoo and MSN becuse Google will not rank them - How little they know to be promting search engines that few people use.

Its like having a market stall in a busy market place with a crap display so nobody buys and then blaming it on the market place rather than the way the stall is set out. Then saying we are now going to set up stall on the top of Ben Nevis because the market place is crap and we will be the best stall on Ben Nevis - yes you will but I dont suppose the sheep will buy much

[leehack]

Its like having a market stall in a busy market place with a crap display so nobody buys and then blaming it on the market place rather than the way the stall is set out. Then saying we are now going to set up stall on the top of Ben Nevis because the market place is crap and we will be the best stall on Ben Nevis - yes you will but I dont suppose the sheep will buy much

This made me chuckle, , you taken a funny pill Mal, you've been making me laff quite a bit lately.

[pinbrook]

Whilst i agree with Mal, my gripe about google is its power, everyones uses google and therefore we are all now dependant upon it. This is wrong, whenever there is one all powerful entity it is to the detriment of all.

Microsoft is another example of a product we all use, but would prefer there to be better competition

[RuralWeb]

you taken a funny pill Mal

I tried SPAM posting for a while but got banned for it

[RuralWeb]

everyones uses google and therefore we are all now dependant upon it

This is true but you can fight it and loose or work with it and hopefull make some cash.

[jont]

Makes you wonder how long Google can continue with its secret algorythms before some select committee decides it is uncompetitive and declares it has to open up its code for others to see!!

[RuralWeb]

it has to open up its code for others to see

It already has to do this by patent applications that detail algorithum changes/methods/proposals.

[jont]

Do they reveal the exact algorithms being used? Most patent applications are typically vague and only scatter gun the rough area of concern and not reveal the exact workings.