Useability: It is so important.

5 replies
I live in Japan, but English is my main language, so I use an English language OS. My browser displays in English, so if I want to go to a Japanese site I need to use my wife's computer. All well and fine, BUT ...

Some sites have upgraded their software to recognize where Internet users are coming from. They have done this to give the user a better experience, which is fine if it actually does that. However, since I'm located in Japan, they hit me with a Japanese version -- this becomes gobbledy-gook on my main computer.

No problem, if they give an alternate. You Tube at least allows me to select a flag, but they still insist on sending me Japanese e-mail. Other sites are impossible to use, as they don't provide a link to an English version. I have had to revert to using a proxy server at times.

THE BEST YET!

Today, I checked out a site. They automatically sent me to a Japanese version, but they left this note in plain view:

"Our software has detected that you live in Japan. For your convenience we have redirected you to our Japanese version.

"If our assumption was incorrect, please click your preferred language"

And they offered English, German, Spanish, Chinese ...

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CUSTOMER

I guess the lesson to learn here is, don't force things on the customer just because you assume they need it. Give them a choice.
#important #useability #web design
  • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
    Our software has detected that you are a hamster, please
    waddle away from the computer and release Kevin from the
    big wheel!


    John
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  • Profile picture of the author David_Thompson
    Kevin, like you have English as my first language but I live in Sweden so I often get the Swedish version of most site but it isn't bad for me because I speak the language very well but I would rather be asked if I want to use the Swedish or English version and not someone else tell me I have to use this one....It's all BS

    If a company isn't thinking about it's users experience then they are loosing shitloads of money anyway they look at it, a website isn't for the managers it's for the customers, plain and simple.

    If the customer can't navigate or read what the hell they have up on the page how can they sell or get customer details...

    --David
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    JV partnership wanted, Lets grow your list for free. Nothing to do with giveaways. PM Now
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin Riley
      Originally Posted by David_Thompson View Post

      Kevin, like you have English as my first language but I live in Sweden so I often get the Swedish version of most site but it isn't bad for me because I speak the language very well but I would rather be asked if I want to use the Swedish or English version and not someone else tell me I have to use this one....It's all BS

      If a company isn't thinking about it's users experience then they are loosing shitloads of money anyway they look at it, a website isn't for the managers it's for the customers, plain and simple.

      If the customer can't navigate or read what the hell they have up on the page how can they sell or get customer details...

      --David
      Yes. The big problem I get is that you must have your computer set to read Kanji, and my main one doesn't do that.

      There is a great book out called "Don't Make Me Think". I forget the author, but it is a book all webmasters should read.
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      Kevin Riley, long-time Warrior living in Osaka, Japan

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  • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
    Kevin,

    You're preaching to the converted, I've been encouraging
    my clients to consider the needs of the visitor for years.

    There are numerous reasons for considering usability but
    the one that really clinches it for most people is when
    they discover the real benefits of providing choices to
    different user types.

    For example, there are over 2 million visually impaired
    people in the UK alone, that's a lot of people to exclude
    from your sales funnel.

    John
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    John's Internet Marketing News, Views & Reviews: John Taylor Online
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  • Wow, I never heard of this kind of problem before until I read this thread
    today. Now I know that language is also a big key in doing internet
    business.

    Yea, customer's first. Without customer you will never be in business.
    And maintaining good customer relationship is the key to long-term
    business success.

    This also apply in affiliate marketing.

    Thanks for the sharing Kevin.
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