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Maybe More is More? Usability Myths.

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Subject:  Maybe More is More? Usability Myths. Dave Chaffey
Author:   dave chaffey:   view profile | all posts by this author | add to favourites
Date:   13:51:32 5 March 2004
 
I'm not saying scannability isn't key, Obi, but i think rules of thumb like 'less is more' are dangerous. I love this article by Jared Spool that knocks (based on testing) some of the usability myths (often originating from uability gurus such as Jakob Nielsen) such as the three click rule.

http://www.uie.com/articles/usability_myths/

and also

http://www.uie.com/articles/page_scrolling/

With the copy example you quote, the only way to be sure is to test long and short copy against the audience for that site i.e. Setup a test for a long versus short version.

With E-mail Marketing I recommend writing Long and Short at the same time i.e. The start of the msg has a succinct overview of the whole, but more details are there for those who want to read them - we are all different. I think the same applies on sites - people turn to the web for ** detailed information **. Short copy initially, but the details need to be there via a link or further down the page - and the Jared Spool article suggestst that people do scroll - yet another myth.

Dave Chaffey
============
Internet Marketing trainer, consultant and author
eResources and Books: www.marketing-online.co.uk
 
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