June 2008 Usability Spotlight

5 Usability Tips You Need to Know About Testing in China

by Korey Johnson, User Experience Specialist

Korey Johnson, User Experience Specialist, User Centric

As eCommerce sales continue to grow both in the US and abroad, organizations must tailor their websites to an increasingly diverse market. A focus on user experience is essential for higher conversion rates as well as customer loyalty within each of these growing markets. With over 220 million people using the Internet, China is a market not to be ignored by any company with aspirations of conducting international eCommerce. In 2007 alone, there were eCommerce sales in excess of 56 billion RMB ($8B USD). In order to conduct business in China, there must be a Chinese language version of the company's website, but what else should be considered when designing another version of the site? Our researchers in User Centric's subsidiary company in Beijing - User Experience - had this to say about the five things you need to know when creating a Chinese-focused website:

Related Links

Usability Tip

by Wendy Yee, Director, User Centric

Observations from Blended Online and In-Store Commerce

Many merchants who have both physical store presences and e-commerce sites often try to leverage the instant gratification element of shopping. Don't want to wait for your Blu-ray DVD player to be shipped? Just order it online and pick it up in 30 minutes at your nearest big-box electronics or discount store.

This is not a new approach - it's been adopted by several major retailers in the US. But it does lend itself to a comparison of in-store and online shopping. A couple of observations about the transition from online to store - or vice versa:

The Not Usable File

Signage in a bus bathroom. We still aren't quite sure...

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Announcements

User Centric is growing! This quarter we welcome User Experience Specialist Kirsten Peters, Graphic Designer Kerrie Owens, as well as Usability Analysts Jared Jeffers and Cassandra Slimmer. We also look forward to additional office space near our Chicago testing facility on Michigan Avenue at the end of the month!

Testing in China?

More Than Usability

User Centric Game Day! Enjoying the spring weather, our consultants kick it "old school" with a little kickball. Luckily no injuries were reported.

Something to Wine About

by Bob Schumacher, Managing Director, User Centric

1996 Spanish Ribera del Duero called "Flor de Pingus"

In 1998, I bought a bottle of 1996 Spanish Ribera del Duero called "Flor de Pingus". It was so good, I bought a few bottles to hold for a special occasion. Well, I had one of those special occasions - I visited my 50th state, Hawaii. So we celebrated with this awesome, silky, concentrated red that has only improved over the decade (Parker gave it a 90!). It may be hard to find, but it is worth the search! Finding 'difficult to find' wines is easier by going to: www.wine-searcher.com