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2002 Credit Union Website Usability Issue Five - Navigation that Uses Temperamental Menus
By Donovan Myers
Posted on Jan 7, 2003
Too many credit union web sites evaluated use navigation systems that frustrate more than help users. The worst offenders are drop-down or fly-out menus that are slow to display, but disappear quickly if the user does not exercise precise control over his mouse. Many of these menus are not compatible with many older version web browsers, especially Netscape. What members with these browsers get in return is navigation that fails to appear at all, and if it does, it flickers. Members who want to easily manage their finances on-line consider poor navigation a frustrating nuisance.
Don't make your members struggle to use your site.
The Fix: Insist that your web developer use technologies that are supported by all browser types and platforms. During planning, you should conduct a survey of your membership (or at least a representative sampling) to determine how they are accessing your web site, and what the predominant browser choice is. Your web developer should target the offering at this audience, while remaining mindful of everyone else. Try to use standard HTML-only navigation systems and clearly indicate which items the user should click by making them look like buttons, or in the case of text, by underlining it.
