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.
March 2, 2009 08:18 AM
As you very well know, Joel, I am not a technical person.
Heck, when you asked my to participate in the Tweet-a-Thon as a "surprise guest"... I was all on board. But, alas, I didn't have Skype.
That said, when we created our first, original site- dedicated to the men & women of our Armed Forces, I deferred the web design to the experts at http://www.inverseparadox.com
And, let me tell you, they know their stuff!
Our search box is above the fold, on the top right corner of the page.
We have a book mark this box below that, quite a bit down the page.
Thanks again for the tip, Joel. I am happy to see that we are doing the easiest and most natural way to search.
Best,
-K
March 7, 2009 04:59 PM
I altogether gave up putting an rss subscription box on my websites for one big reason... if my readers were rss savvy (which most that visit my sites are not) they will simply use their browser to locate the rss feed.
If i ever put an rss subscription box on my website, I'll probably put it at the end of every article, but i am almost certain I would have to write a "what is rss" article to help them understand it.
Thanks for the points.
March 8, 2009 11:28 AM
some websites hide the search box, as if they don't want us to search!!
March 9, 2009 12:42 AM
Hi guys,
I appreciate the concern which is been rose. The things need to be sorted out because it's not about the individual but it can be with everyone. Thanks
NYK
workout plans
April 29, 2009 09:22 PM
Hey that is so true. I guess its the over-usage of toolbars on browsers which is why users will always "take it for granted" that the search bars are on top.
Yeap, it is now a comfort