I can't tell you how many times I've done it.
I reach a website, enjoy the content, then head for the search box to look for more. I type in the keywords, hit the Search button... and find that I'm searching in the subscription field.
Now I have to look for the search box and start typing all over again. Or more likely, I'll give up and look for another website.
Putting the RSS subscription field where the user is expecting a search box is a very easy mistake for a publisher to make. You want your users to be able to find the content they're looking for. You want them to enjoy your site. You want them to see the ads on the search results page.
And you also want them to leave you their email address and make sure that they never miss an article.
So you put two fields on your home page that look exactly the same... and you put them in the wrong places.
There are no hard and fast rules governing the best places to put search and subscription fields - too much depends on the design -- but in general, a search box should go at the top right of the screen and the subscription field about halfway down the page on the right.
Why?
Because that's what your readers expect. It's what they're used to and it reflects the natural way that they approach a website. If the site doesn't meet those expectations it runs the risk of being harder to use - and losing users as a result.
This isn't the only mistake that publishers make. Putting a "Clear" button at the bottom of a large form, for example, is big no-no. Sure, it's annoying for a user to delete everything by hand if they want to, but it's a lot more annoying to have to type everything in again because they hit the wrong button and deleted it all.
Even something as simple as requiring information that the user doesn't really need to submit can get them hesitating, asking questions... and clicking away.
The usability of a website isn't an issue that many publishers pay much attention to. They assume that because they know how to use their site, everyone does.
They don't. Watch people using your site. See where they get stuck and where they make mistakes, and help them to achieve their goals on your site as quickly as possible.
It will help you to reach your goals quickly too.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
February 27, 2009 10:01 AM
Hi Joel
It's certainly true. Usability is one of the areas that some of us focus a lot upon but which goes unnoticed by many. Very valid points and certainly worth remembering in one's own designs.
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice weekend. :-)
February 27, 2009 10:25 AM
Never really thought about that...but I have remembered searching in the subscription field on sites before...if memory serves I'm sure I just clicked away...or went to google to search directly.