The development of corporate intranets is often overlooked. Not enough thought is put into organizing its content logically. Good intranets can really increase efficiency in your office. You need to think of the employees who will have to use it to publish or find information. Here are some key considerations of a good intranet:

• Clear purpose. Determine which corporate needs will have to be fulfilled before implementing an intranet. Each section has to have a clear and easily identifiable purpose.

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Thousands of startups are founded each year. Each and every one of them offers products that will fullfil needs on the market. Giving new products visibility is one of the biggest challenge startups face. Indeed, the launch of any new product has to be meticulously thought out to be successful. These first steps need to be conceptualized with the user experience in mind. Here are a few valuable tips to help your startup establish itself on the Web.

• Clearly describe your product. New visitors or users need to be able to understand what your product is about in a few seconds (think 5 second test). Use as few words as possible to describe it. Focus on the user experience of your product and what benefits it can offer to your users.

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Websites are like people.

A beautiful Website, like a beautiful person that can’t hold a conversation will quickly lose your interest. A less attractive but more interesting Website can be better.

A person that’s difficult to know like a Website that’s difficult to use will not make you want to invest in the relationship. First impression counts.

Popular Websites are like popular people. They make you feel special, can hold a conversation, are easy-going or; they’re just so practical that everyone wants to know them (like a plumber, Google or an honest car repairman).

You don’t just push a Website online, you create a living stand-alone experience that should be able to take a life of its own.

Good branding helps but the personality starts at the idea level. Content, graphic design, layout, backlinks, interaction are all part of what makes your Website unique.

Maybe Websites are not exactly like people but, the next time you’re building a site, think about the personality you want it to have.

Eye tracking is rarely performed due to the complexity, cost and a misunderstanding of the feedback it will generate. However, this feedback can really help you focus and optimize your design efforts.

If you don’t have access to eye tracking technology, the following video should give you an overview of the underlying principles.

Some of the ideas discussed in the video:

• How the 16×9 Fovea (or focus area) works;
• How to reduce useless eyescanning;
• How contrast and white space can help the user focus;
• How Miller’s 7 +/- 2 mnemes rule can be used.

An understanding of these basic principles and a little reading on F-shaped reading patterns will definitely help you straighten out your designs.

I’m always amazed to see Splash or intro pages on newly redesigned Websites. Asides from the various SEO concerns, Splash pages are wasted clicks that could be easily avoided.Users are looking for content on your Website. The less obstacles you put in their way, the more likely they are to stay and return.

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