May 13, 2009

Google Take's Frustration out of Searching by Date

Nothing used to be more annoying than using the date filter search on an average size computer screen.

First you had to select the date from the dropdown; then you had to click on the white screen foreground so that you could use your scroll wheel without resetting the dropdown; and then, finally, you could scroll to the bottom of the page and click the long awaited 'advanced search' button.




OLD way of searching by date's: Observe how the poor usability and bad economy of motion (due to extrenous clicks) make's you a die a little bit in side.





New way of searching by date's: Truly, it is so easy that it doesn't qualify as an 'advanced search' any longer.

Aug 23, 2008

Google is starting to price ads like the NYSE does stocks

Now all we need is a stock ticker below each adgroup telling us the real time 'quality scores of every ad. What is amazing about this algorithm update is that it is a first step for Google to improve consumer confidence in Pay per click and git rid of SEO charlatan's. Whats going to happen to their share price when the demand for pay per click ad space goes up?

Say hello to double digit ad prices :)

read more | digg story

Dec 21, 2007

How to Rock your Conversion Rate with high contrast buttons


Your a smart cookie; you know that using buttons for your 'add to cart' and 'checkout' navigation will increase conversions. It's just a fact - people are more likely to click on a button than they are a hyperlink.

But not all buttons are created equally. Are you aware that on most websites, red buttons will usually convert more online traffic than blue buttons? This has nothing to do with the colour red; rather it's owed to the fact that high contrasting buttons are more easily seen and have higher CTR's. Thus, for a pink website, a blue button would be the better choice. Pretty straightforward stuff.
But there is one rule you must follow to prevent an aesthetic nightmare and benefit from better buttons.

How to rock your conversion rate with high contrast buttons
The first thing to do is use them sparingly. Personally, I like using bright red buttons for the key navigation steps that lead to a sale i.e. the "add to cart" button "checkout" buttons. These are the actions you want your visitor's to take. For actions you don't want your customers to take, but still warrant a button, a more diffused version of your high contrast button or perhaps a neutral grey button would be the ideal choice.




The right way to mix two button schemes
The emphasis here is for people to press the checkout button. "continue shopping", 'delete' and 'update' are less likely to earn you a sale; thus, they remain subservient to the site design.




The Wrong way
Not only is this an aesthetic nightmare, but you are promoting actions you don't want people to take, like pressing the "delete" button.