“The system should speak the users' language, with words, phrases and concepts familiar to the user, rather than system-oriented terms. Follow real-world conventions, making information appear in a natural and logical order.” WorldShouldRealOrderSpeakLanguageTermNaturalInformationConceptsFamiliarPhrasesLogicalReal WorldConventionsUsers Author:Jakob Nielsen
“Minimize the user's memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the dialogue to another. Instructions for use of the system should be visible or easily retrievable whenever appropriate.” ShouldUseActionRememberMemoriesInformationObjectsDialogueVisibleAppropriateInstructionUsersLoad Author:Jakob Nielsen
“Even though it is better if the system can be used without documentation, it may be necessary to provide help and documentation. Any such information should be easy to search, focused on the user's task, list concrete steps to be carried out, and not be too large.” IfsShouldMayHelpingUsedEasyStepsInformationTasksFocusedListsUsersConcreteDocumentation Book:Usability Engineering Source: Usability Engineering
“Information Overload = "information pollution"” InformationPollutionOverloadInformation Overload Author:Jakob Nielsen
“On the Web, usability is a necessary condition for survival. If a website is difficult to use, people leave. If the homepage fails to clearly state what a company offers and what users can do on the site, people leave. If users get lost on a website, they leave. If a website's information is hard to read or doesn't answer users' key questions, they leave. Note a pattern here?” PeopleIfsHardStatesUseLostDifficultCan DoAnswersCompanyFailingConditionsInformationKeysOffersSurvivalNotesPatternsUsersSiteWebsiteUsability Author:Jakob Nielsen
“Good information architecture makes users less alienated and suppressed by technology. It simultaneously increases human satisfaction and your company's profits. Very few jobs allow you to do both at the same time, so enjoy.” HumansJobsEnjoyCompanyTechnologyInformationIncreaseProfitSatisfactionArchitectureUsersGood InformationInformation Architecture Author:Jakob Nielsen