E-consultancy - Usability and User Experience - News and Blog

Tesco's iTunes competitor - how does it shape up?

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:40:00 UT

This week sees the launch of Tesco Digital, the supermarket giant's answer to iTunes.

We've taken a look at the new site to see how it compares with Apple's all-conquering download store, which has accounted for�around 70% of worldwide online digital music sales.

Data portability - a red herring?

Thu, 15 May 2008 07:30:00 UT

If you are to believe data portability proponents, one of the biggest challenges facing the internet today is the difficulty users have in sharing their data across multiple services.

ITV improves video player usability

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:00:00 UT

We recently compared ITV's online video player to the BBC's iPlayer, finding that the ITV offering was far less usable than its rival.

ITV has since launched a new and improved version of its online TV service, so we've taken another look at it to see where the improvements have been made...

Ten things Thomas Cook can do better online

Fri, 9 May 2008 12:40:00 UT

Booking and researching holidays and flights online has become more and more popular over the last few years. In 2007, the online travel market in the UK was worth �11.2 bn.

Booking a holiday online can be a complicated process, so it's important to make it as easy to use and understand for customers. Many travel websites are frustrating to use, so how does�Thomas Cook fare? It's pretty good, but we have nevertheless suggested a few improvements after the jump...

Site review: 'visual search engine' Viewzi

Thu, 8 May 2008 06:18:00 UT

Viewzi offers an alternative to the traditional text view of search results. It recently launched in beta, so we've taken a look.

Upgrading a website? Four key SEO tips for web design firms

Wed, 7 May 2008 14:25:00 UT

As many web design firms take on the remit of upgrading a client�s website, it is important to integrate best�practice SEO techniques into the web design process.

This will ensure that your client both maintains and benefits from the free rankings available�in the organic listings�of the major search engines.

10 things Next.co.uk can do better online

Fri, 2 May 2008 10:03:00 UT

No matter how successful an e-commerce site is, there are often ways in which a site can be improved to maintain its appeal to customers and maximise conversions.

We have looked at M&S, Amazon and Tesco already, now we take a look at Next to see what improvements could be made to their website...

Site review: Snooth

Fri, 2 May 2008 07:30:00 UT

Snooth is wine review site that previously covered only the US,�but recently launched worldwide and now displays information from�sellers in 40 countries.

How NOT to handle out of stock items

Thu, 1 May 2008 14:42:00 UT

There are a number of ways for etailers to handle the problem of unavailable items, from not displaying the products at all, or offering customers alternatives.

In last year's Online Retail 2007: Checkout Special�report, we advised that customers should not be allowed to begin to purchase items that are out of stock, as this can�frustate customers.

Government websites criticised for lack of usability

Thu, 1 May 2008 07:34:00 UT

A�new study has been�critical of the quality and accessibility of UK government websites.

The report (pdf), by the Public Accounts Committee, finds that the public sector has some work to do on the usability of its websites - which it says have barely�improved since 2001.

Site comparison: Comet v PC World

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:43:00 UT

I've been looking for a new laptop lately and have been doing my research online at a number of sites.

Two of the best known are PC World and Comet, so how do they measure up?

Yahoo plans to be more social

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:17:00 UT

When one looks at the landscape of the social networking market, it's apparent that most of the major internet companies (Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, etc.) have been left behind in one way or another.

Despite the fact that they have a presence in the market, all have played catch-up more than they've led and none has been able to fully cash in on one of the most hyped internet trends ever.

Guardian launches new Web 2.0 sports section

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:49:00 UT

The Guardian's ongoing site redesign continues this week with the�launch of an all new sports section, complete with embedded video and enhanced photography.

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Site review: Daily Mail redesign

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:33:00 UT

The Daily Mail�launched a new beta version of its website last week and is running it alongside the current�layout so users can provide feedback.

We've taken a look at how it shapes up....

Optimising e-tail for all sorts

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:52:00 UT

Whether you are a new entrant to e-tail or an old hand with large sales volumes, the right content optimisation strategy is vital in order to effectively leverage multivariate testing tools within your organisation.

How can you help promote RSS Awareness Day?

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:00:00 UT

The number of people using the web is increasing every day, but the adoption rate of RSS as a technology is still way down at 5%.

Email unsubscribing: a worst practice example

Wed, 9 Apr 2008 14:33:00 UT

Email users are more than ready to hit the 'report spam' button for emails they no longer wish to receive, spam or not, so making the unsubscribe process quick and easy is essential.

Still,�some email marketers have yet to take this on board if the following example from Real Networks is anything to go by.

Twingly - a 'spam-free' blog search engine

Wed, 9 Apr 2008 14:15:00 UT

Twingly is a new, European�blog search engine which has just launched in beta. It aims to beat its rivals by providing "spam-free" results.

Are you coping with Universal Search?

Tue, 8 Apr 2008 09:00:00 UT

Google has evolved its search results to include images, news, recent blog posts, videos and related links.

Let's build a quick to-do list to spruce up your site for Universal Search.

How can fashion etailer �Mode Urbaine� improve trust?

Tue, 8 Apr 2008 08:00:00 UT

You may have seen print adverts for new website modeurbaine.com.� Leon Bailey suggests five improvements the website should have made before embarking on an advertising campaign.