#spstc 25 usability tips for sharepoint 2013/sharepoint online sites by @sharepointwendy
DESCRIPTION
Presented at SharePoint Saturday Twin Cities on November 22, 2014. Abstract: SharePoint sites out of the box have the capability of being user-friendly, but only if they are designed and configured that way. Wendy shows you 25 simple tips and tricks that site owners or front end SharePoint developers can implement on their SharePoint sites to make them more user-friendly. From navigation best practices, to forms etiquette, to what to put on the home page, to graphics optimization, and much more - you will come away armed with a list of practical usability tips that are easy to implement, and your users will thank you. Accompanying video demos are located here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxSc1uqWwEXly_q8Ae1WzrE8s4l9QQpetTRANSCRIPT
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25 Usability Tips for SharePoint 2013/
SharePoint Online Sites
SharePoint Saturday Twin Cities
November 22, 2014
Wendy Neal
@SharePointWendy http://wendy-neal.com
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Wendy NealSenior SharePoint ConsultantMcGladreyCedar Rapids, Iowa
@SharePointWendy
facebook.com/wendynealblog
linkedin/in/wendyneal
youtube.com/sharepointwendy
plus.google.com/+WendyNeal
wendy-neal.com
• Co-author of Black Magic Solutions for White Hat SharePoint
• Co-founder of SharePoint-Community.net
• Writer for CMSWire.com
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Website usability overview
25 usability tipso Navigation
o Forms Etiquette
o Content
o Design
o Metadata
Questions
Agenda
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Website usability overview
Rule #1: Don’t make your users think
Read this book!!
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Usability Tips (1-6):
Navigation
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Navigation
Primary navigation links should always be visible and consistent no matter where you are on the site
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Navigation
Limit the number of primary navigation links to 9 or less
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Navigation
Use function-driven navigation when possible (verbs instead of nouns)
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Navigation
You should have a link back to the home page on every page of your site
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Navigation
Hyperlinks should open in same window if going to same site, or new window if external site
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Navigation
Even though it’s tedious, be sure to test all hyperlinks on your site
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Navigation
Demo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeG1u9FnrjU&list=PLxSc1uqWwEXly_q8Ae1WzrE8s4l9QQpet&index=1
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Usability Tips (7-11):
Forms Etiquette
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Forms Etiquette
Identify required fields and other validation on forms
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Forms Etiquette
Set default values on fields when it makes sense
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Forms Etiquette
Group fields logically on forms
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Forms Etiquette
Hide unnecessary form data from users
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Forms Etiquette
Let users know that their form submission was successful
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Forms Etiquette
Demo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB9ZNhFL1xE&list=PLxSc1uqWwEXly_q8Ae1WzrE8s4l9QQpet&index=2
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Usability Tips (12-16):
Content
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Content
Avoid too much content on the home page and landing pages
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Content
Only show relevant information to the user
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Content
Change the default views on lists to a view that is more useful
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Content
Use descriptive names for content (lists, libraries, documents, items)
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Content
Be sure to continuously add fresh content to your site
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Content
Demo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqIcB7R_Doc&list=PLxSc1uqWwEXly_q8Ae1WzrE8s4l9QQpet&index=3
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Usability Tips (17-21):
Design
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Design
Your site should have a consistent look and feel across all sub sites and pages
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Design
Use good balance of images, text, and white space
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Design
Optimize all graphics to reduce page download times
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Design
Use contrasting colors in your design to improve readability
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Design
Use consistent hyperlink colors and styles
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Design
Demo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLBZQ9g7J9k&list=PLxSc1uqWwEXly_q8Ae1WzrE8s4l9QQpet&index=4
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Usability Tips (22-25):
Metadata
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Metadata
Don’t use folders (unless you really need to use folders)
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Metadata
If you must use folders, be sure to set default metadata on them
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Metadata
Pay attention to what your users are searching for
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Metadata
Only index the things that you want to show up in search results
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Metadata
Demo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W92_xcRMmmI&list=PLxSc1uqWwEXly_q8Ae1WzrE8s4l9QQpet&index=5
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Questions…
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