“Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability” by Steve Krug is a classic guide to web usability, first published in 2000 and updated in this revised edition. The book offers practical advice on designing user-friendly websites and applications, making it an essential read for web designers, developers, and anyone involved in creating digital experiences.
How This Book Helped Us
This book helped us understand the fundamental principles of web usability and how to create intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. It provided actionable insights into simplifying navigation, improving the user experience, and ensuring that websites and applications are accessible to all users. The book also emphasized the importance of usability testing and iterative design to continuously enhance the user experience.
The Book Explained in Under 60 Seconds
“Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited” distills the principles of web usability into simple, easy-to-understand concepts. Steve Krug’s straightforward approach demystifies usability and provides practical guidelines for designing websites that are intuitive and easy to navigate. The book covers essential topics such as information architecture, navigation, content layout, and usability testing, making it a comprehensive resource for anyone involved in web design and development.
Top Three Quotes
“If something requires a large investment of time—or looks like it will—it’s less likely to be used.”
“Usability is about people and how they understand and use things, not about technology.”
“The most important thing you can do to improve usability is to understand that the person using the website is not you.”
Book Notes and Summaries
Chapter One: Don’t Make Me Think
Krug introduces the core principle of web usability: don’t make users think. Websites should be self-evident, with clear navigation and intuitive interfaces. When users visit a site, they should be able to understand its purpose and how to use it without hesitation.
Favourite quote of the chapter: “The basic principle of usability is that a web page should be self-evident. When you look at it, it should be obvious what it’s about and how to use it.”
Chapter Two: How We Really Use the Web
This chapter explains that users don’t read web pages; they scan them. They look for keywords and links that match their goals. Designers should create pages that are easy to scan, with clear headings, concise text, and prominent links.
Favourite quote of the chapter: “We don’t read pages. We scan them.”
Chapter Three: Billboard Design 101
Krug emphasizes the importance of visual hierarchy and the use of conventions to guide users through a website. He discusses how to create effective visual cues, such as headings, bold text, and whitespace, to make pages more scannable and user-friendly.
Favourite quote of the chapter: “Designing for scanning, not reading, is the key to creating a user-friendly website.”
Chapter Four: Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral?
This chapter focuses on navigation and how to design clear and intuitive menus. Krug discusses the importance of consistent navigation, well-labeled links, and a logical site structure to help users find what they’re looking for quickly.
Favourite quote of the chapter: “Navigation should tell you three things: where you are, where you’ve been, and where you can go.”
Chapter Five: Omit Needless Words
Krug advises designers to eliminate unnecessary words and keep content concise. Users should be able to grasp the essential information quickly without wading through verbose text.
Favourite quote of the chapter: “Get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what’s left.”
Chapter Six: Designing for Accessibility
This chapter covers the importance of designing accessible websites that can be used by people with disabilities. Krug provides practical tips on how to make sites more accessible, including using proper HTML tags, providing alternative text for images, and ensuring keyboard navigation.
Favourite quote of the chapter: “Accessibility is not just a checklist; it’s a mindset.”
Chapter Seven: Usability Testing on 10 Cents a Day
Krug emphasizes the value of usability testing and provides a simple, cost-effective method for conducting tests. He explains how to recruit users, conduct tests, and interpret the results to make iterative improvements to the design.
Favourite quote of the chapter: “Testing one user is 100 percent better than testing none.”
How This Book Can Help Software Developers
“Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited” by Steve Krug is an invaluable resource for software developers aiming to create user-friendly web applications. By applying the principles outlined in the book, developers can design intuitive interfaces that reduce user frustration and increase satisfaction. The book’s emphasis on usability testing ensures that developers can continually improve their designs based on real user feedback. Overall, this book provides practical guidance for making digital experiences more accessible, efficient, and enjoyable for users.
