37 replies to this topic

[Craig B]

Mr. Krug is literally my hero. I think his book - Don't Make Me Think - is the greatest piece of writing on the subject of websites - period.

I second that! If you read one book on websites, read this one.

- Craig

[Randy]

I agree with all of the above. Steve Krug's book takes a very common sense approach to a process that can easily get over complicated. And his usability testing ideas are very, very good.

It's on my bookshelf too.

[SearchRank]

Just read the interview. I like where he says,

Try not to overwhelm me with options. If you have a lot of content, organize the options into logical groups to make it seem like there are fewer of them.

and...

Organize the site according to what your users are going to be looking for, not according to your corporate org chart, or even according to your business priorities--unless they happen to coincide with your users' interests.

These are really common sense things but so many designers miss them.

[Crifer]

Agree, it's the best book I have read in years. I ordered it from booksamillon.com and today I made a summary of the most important bits and laminated it to have on my desk as a coaster. So when I lift my cup there is always a reminder, "oh yeah, the tagline!"

[skrug]

But, I'm confused because he mentions that the most common mistake he sees when reviewing a site is "Too much--of everything."  Then he's asked to give examples of site with good usability.  He likes Amazon, eBay, Google (which I do understand) and Bestbuy.com.   

I think Bestbuy, Amazon & especially eBay are some of the most confusing sites out there regarding navigation.  Ebay has stuff all over the page; Bestbuy has about 100+ links on the home page all going in different directions, and I almost could not figure out where the "checkout" button was on Amazon a few months ago. 

Am I just not getting what he's trying to say in the article?  I think he's contradicting himself by recommending the "less is more" theory while at the same time using eBay, Amazon & Bestbuy as examples of good usability.  Where am I going wrong?

Full disclosure: I haven't been to the HR-SEO Forum before. But someone told me my ears must be burning because people were talking about me over here. I think they should have said my head must be swelling. Thanks for all the flattering comments.

I just wanted to say to juliesjewels that you're right: eBay. Amazon, and Best Buy do all teeter on the brink of disaster having so much on each page.

But as Haystack correctly pointed out (thanks!), they can get away with it (most of the time) because they're constantly testing (with real users; Amazon actually does live a/b tests of new UIs on the site) and constantly tweaking.

Simplicity *and* complexity can both work well; it's just that with complexity you have to work harder to make sure that what people need is rising to the surface when they need it. (It's kind of like Dylan said: "To live outside the law/You must be honest.")

- Steve Krug

[Jill]

Welcome Steve!

Great to have you here. What do I have to do to get an autographed copy of your book?

[chrishirst]

Welcome to HR Steve

[sweepthelegnate]

welcome steve



nathan

[skrug]

Welcome Steve!

Great to have you here.  What do I have to do to get an autographed copy of your book?

Thanks, guys.

Jill: I haven't got a great solution. (Maybe you can suggest one.)

I have to admit I was shocked (but tickled) when people started asking me to sign their books. And a lot of times, they come up to me after a talk and say how bummed they are that they forgot to bring their copy with them.

I don't sell books myself (I have to buy them from the publisher at the same price bookstores pay, so it's just not worth it), so I've never been able to figure it out. Jeff Johnson (GUI Bloopers and Web Bloopers) told me he's started mailing out signed stickers that people can paste into their copy, but that's not the same. And it doesn't make sense for someone to pay postage to mail the book to me and back.

Or was that a rehtorical question?

[sweepthelegnate]

And it doesn't make sense for someone to pay postage to mail the book to me and back.

perhaps you underestimate the value of a "steve krug autographed original"

[Scottie]

Wow, thanks for stopping by, Steve!

To the problem at hand... maybe if people mailed you their book along with a pre-paid return envelope, it would make it easier (kind of like NetFlix!)

[projectphp]

LOL, looks like no one was joking, Steve!!

[loki]

i've leant my copy of 'Don't make me think' to various clients and it has helped enormously when it comes to arguing for simplicity, intuitive architecture, etc.

[projectphp]

*bump* I just bought and read this book and woah, i gotta agree with the comments in this thread: fantastic book!!

I really learnt so much it isn't funny. Like all common sense, it now seems so obvuious, and this book put it all so succinctly that I believe I have a better way to communicate this "stuff".

I can't recommend this book enough.

[Randy]

It's amazing how it can become so clear suddenly isn't it? And in so few pages! I think the first time I read Steve's book it took me about a day and a half of free time reading.

One of those Lightbulb moments for sure.

Not to drag this off topic, but I often get asked by small business people (since that's who I deal with most) how to create successful web sites. I also often get asked by webmasters in-the-know how my sites convert visitors to customers at such a high rate compared to the industry averages.

My answer to both is always the same and has been for some time now. A combination of Steve's Don't Make Me Think and Karon's Copywriting Course.

IMO if you can understand and implement even half of the concepts included in those two resources you're good to go. One helps you make your web site appealing and easy to use, the other helps you speak directly to your customer's needs. Both are also loaded with common sense advice.

And no, I'm not affiliated with either other than being a very satisfied customer.