Archive for December, 2009

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, Groove Commerce and GoBeyondIT worked tirelessly to launch GoBeyond’s brand new website. So we’re happy to announce the new website is now live! Maryland-based GoBeyondIT specializes in managed IT services for small businesses that are looking to focus on running their business, and not on their IT. Read on for pics and link!
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I know it’s the holidays, and you all are probably only half-focused on your work. So I’m going to keep this month’s Usable short and sweet. I found a really great study on “Label Placement in Forms” by Matt Penzo at UXMatters.com that I wanted to bring to your attention (the idea for which came from Luke Wroblewski’s “Web Application Form Design.”)

Penzo and his colleagues attempted to replicate Wroblewski’s set-up. In doing so, they tested expert users (designers, programmers & usability testers) as well as novice users (the specific numbers of users not provided). They had the test subjects fill out multiple forms and they recorded the “gaze-path” data from the start of movement [assumed] until the submit button was clicked.
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Originally, I wanted to write about the prominent multi- vs. single-page checkout debate and which is better. I’ve used many multi-page checkouts that zipped me through the process and others that were never ending. Single-page checkouts can be quicker but also less user-friendly for people with older systems or fewer tech skills. Bottom line? I’m not going to give you an answer to which is better. Too much depends on your website, your audience, your shipping rate, and the information you need/gather during checkout. Instead, I want to refocus your attention on what really matters during checkout (and it’s NOT the number of pages of your checkout.)
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Getting to the top of the SERPs ain’t easy. With over 200 factors in the Google ranking algorithm, it’s hard to stay on top of what factors actually influence rankings. I want to give you a leg up heading into the new decade, so let’s take a look at some factors that may end up influencing rankings in the future. Keep Reading ›

Starting around the middle of November, we get a lot of prospective clients who want to work with us but are afraid to touch their site during the holiday season. The general consensus is that they don’t want to take a chance with their website during their busiest, and typically most profitable, time of year. While this may be true, by subscribing to this mantra, eTailers may be missing out on a lot of low-hanging fruit. Instead of leaving your site alone during the holiday season, I strongly urge you take this time to give it a brush up by following the five recommendations below:

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