“Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug

“Don’t Make Me Think” is a book written by Steve Krug that provides a user-centered approach to website design. The book is considered a classic in the field of web design and is widely considered a must-read for anyone involved in creating websites.

The book is divided into three sections: usability as common sense, guidelines for interacting with websites, and guidelines for designing websites. In the first section, Krug argues that usability is not a mysterious, arcane field, but something that can be understood and applied by anyone. He stresses the importance of thinking from the user’s perspective and keeping things simple.

In the second section, Krug provides practical guidelines for interacting with websites, such as how to design effective navigation, how to write clear and informative headings, and how to create effective forms. He also provides tips on how to test a website’s usability, including how to conduct user testing and how to analyze the results.

The final section of the book provides guidelines for designing websites, including how to lay out pages, how to use color and typography, and how to create effective graphics. Throughout the book, Krug uses examples and case studies to illustrate his points, making the concepts easy to understand and apply.

Overall, “Don’t Make Me Think” is an essential read for anyone involved in creating websites, including product managers, CPOs, and entrepreneurs. The book’s user-centered approach and practical guidelines make it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to create websites that are easy to use and understand. The book is written in a clear and concise style, making it easy for readers to understand the concepts and apply them to their own work. It is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve the usability and user experience of their websites.

Interacting with websites

According to the book, the guidelines for interacting with websites include:

1. Design effective navigation: Navigation is a crucial aspect of website design, as it enables users to easily find what they are looking for. Krug suggests using clear, simple labels for navigation items and grouping them in a logical manner. Examples: Amazon’s navigation bar that allows users to easily find the category they are looking for, Google’s simple navigation bar that allows users to easily access different services.
2. Write clear and informative headings: Headings are an important way of providing users with an overview of the content on a page. Krug suggests using clear, concise headings that accurately reflect the content of the page. Examples: New York Times’ clear headings that allow users to quickly understand the topic of an article, CNN’s informative headings that provide a summary of the news article’s main point.
3. Create effective forms: Forms are an important way of collecting information from users. Krug suggests making forms as simple and straightforward as possible, using clear labels and instructions, and providing feedback to users when they make mistakes. Examples: Google’s simple sign-up form that only requires minimal information, Netflix’s easy-to-use form that allows users to subscribe to the service.
4. Test a website’s usability: Testing a website’s usability is an important step in ensuring that it is easy to use and understand. Krug suggests conducting user testing and analyzing the results to identify any issues with the website. He also provides tips on how to conduct user testing and how to analyze the results. Examples: A/B testing on a login page to see which version has a better conversion rate, Usability testing on a website’s checkout process to identify any pain points in the process.

Designing websites

The guidelines for designing websites include:

1. Lay out pages: The layout of a website is an important aspect of its design. Krug suggests keeping the layout simple and consistent, and using white space to create a clean, uncluttered look. Examples: Apple’s clean and minimalistic layout that focuses on the product, Airbnb’s consistent layout that makes it easy to find the information you need.
2. Use color and typography: Color and typography are important elements of web design that can affect the overall look and feel of a website. Krug suggests using a limited color palette and choosing typography that is easy to read. Examples: Dropbox’s minimalistic design that uses a limited color palette and easy-to-read typography, Spotify’s use of a consistent color scheme and typography that creates a cohesive look and feel.
3. Create effective graphics: Graphics can be an important element of web design, but they must be used carefully. Krug suggests using graphics that are relevant to the content of the page and that do not slow down the loading time of the page. Examples: National Geographic’s use of high-quality imagery that enhances the user experience, Google’s simple and clean graphics that illustrate the point of the page effectively.

Steve Krug

Steve Krug is an author, consultant, and usability expert. He is best known for his book “Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability,” which was first published in 2000 and has since become a classic in the field of web design and usability. The book provides practical advice on how to create websites that are easy to use and understand, and it has been widely used by web designers, product managers, and other professionals in the field. In addition to writing “Don’t Make Me Think,” Steve has also written several other books, articles and developed a training course, and has given numerous presentations on the subject of usability and user-centered design. He has also worked as a consultant and usability analyst, helping organizations to improve the user experience of their websites and other digital products.