Jacob Neilson’s paper Writing for the Web uses studies from several sources to quantify reader habits and behaviors and suggests user and design application of these findings.
Research presented in this paper shows web designers must style their work to better engage the audience. Clearly writing styles for the web must be different from print because the web audience is different. Most users are looking for specific information and will pay attention only for a minute or two.
The average web user does not read the page from top to bottom instead they scan the page in F-shaped patterns for what they need. Some other techniques to captivate the audience:
• Titles/Headings – attract the reader to content with key words
• Inverted pyramid style paragraphs – most important information on top
• Bullet lists – specific concise easy to read
• Images, boxes, colors for pizzaz and to attract the eye – web pages are not linear
• Fonts, bold words or phrases
These all seem like common sense guidelines for average users and web designers. However, for seniors and low literacy users they are essential for positive and productive experience.
Nielsenwire.com showed in 2009 people 65 and older made up less than 10 percent of the active Internet universe but, their numbers are on the rise.
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Top 10 Online Activities Performed in the Last 30 Days by People 65+ (U.S.) |
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RANK |
Profile Point: Internet Activities in Last 30 Days |
Audience Composition Percent |
| 1 | Personal E-mail | 88.6 |
| 2 | Viewed or Printed Maps Online | 68.6 |
| 3 | Checked Weather Online | 60.1 |
| 4 | Paid/Viewed Bills Online | 51.2 |
| 5 | View/Posted Photos Online | 50.1 |
| 6 | Read General/Political News | 49.2 |
| 7 | Checked Personal Health Care Info | 47.3 |
| 8 | Planned Leisure Travel Trip Online | 39 |
| 9 | Searched Recipes/Meal Planning Suggestions | 38.4 |
| 10 | Read Business/Finance News | 37.8 |
| Source: The Nielsen Company, Nielsen @Plan Fall 2009 Release, Adults 18+ | ||
Because of my work with seniors and my parents (80+) I have some insights to the difficulties and frustrations many seniors encounter when using computers.
Most seniors never used personal computers when they were working so they have limited experience or knowledge of the advancements in technology. For example, grasping the concept that the Web is an active medium is a major obstacle for my parents. They also struggle with physical and cognitive challenges of aging that make reading, scanning, navigating, and typing difficult.
- Vision
- Precision motor movements and shaking
- Memory
- Multi-tasking and focusing