Findability: The Ins and Outs

Oh where, oh where has findability gone?? Oh where, oh where could he be?? You are probably asking yourself, “What in the world is findability?” “Is that even a word?” and “Why do we want to know where he went?” Stay tuned.

Findability

In the field of web design and information architecture, findability is most definitely a word, and an important one at that. According to Peter Morville, a founding father of information architecture, the term and concept of findability is defined as “the ability of users to identify an appropriate website and navigate the pages of the site to discover and retrieve relevant informational resources.” Basically, the concept of findability is the fully developed puzzle when you piece together the many factors associated with web design that cater to and enhance a user’s overall web experience. These puzzle pieces include, but are not limited to, search engine optimization (SEO), information architecture, usability, and accessibility.

Search Engine Optimization

One way to achieve findability of a website is to increase its search engine ranking through a method called search engine optimization, or SEO. SEO is the process of tweaking a website in multiple ways with the goal in mind of increasing search engine ranking. These ways include both technical and non-technical methods such as supplying a website with fresh and reliable content, keyword placement, emphasizing heading tags or meta tags, and an inbound links strategy.

Information Architecture

Information Architecture, as it relates to web design, involves designing and organizing a website’s structure, navigation, and content so visitors can easily interact with and locate desired information. Basically, like an architect would combine strategies to design a seemingly complex and beautiful structure while simultaneously catering to ease of human access to rooms and offices throughout the inside of the structure, a coder/designer should use the same concepts to create a beautifully laid out, easily navigable website so visitors have no problem finding the information they need.

Usability

Usability, when referring to the human-computer interaction sense, is basically how well an application or website is designed as it relates to its particular use. Is the website usable to a visitor? Usability can encompass such aspects of webdesign including credible content, or if content relates to a specific webpage. Does the ‘Members’ section of a website give access to member log-in or the ability to create an account? Usability is also related to providing visitors technology that actually works. Does the JavaScript serve its function? Do the links embedded in the text lead a user to where it’s supposed to? Basically, usability can be thought of as a measurement of how efficient and effective the website communicates information to a visitor.

Accessibility

Just as it sounds, the accessibility piece of the findability puzzle defines how accessible a website is to its audience. This includes broad aspects involved with findability such as online and offline promotion, as well as giving access to certain technological platforms and commonly used technologies, like smartphones or developing with either Flash or Java. Accessibility is also associated with providing those with disabilities the same viewing opportunities as those without, which is clearly defined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Wait….so at the beginning of the blog, why did we want to know, “Oh where, oh where has findability gone??” Well, for many years, the important concept of findability has been “tragically misunderstood and overlooked entirely” by developers, information architects, copywriters, and organizations alike. This blog is meant to serve as the unofficial resurrection of findability and meant to assist in promoting the awareness factor of the truly awesome findability concept.

Happy finding!

Toddlers and Apps

According to an article by the New York Times, children under the age of eight spend over three hours a day using various forms of media.  Ten years ago parents could not have fathomed their children would be so reliant on technology, but today that reliance is almost taken for granted.

When DVD players started to become standard issue in minivans parents freaked out.  Why would someone need to watch a movie in the car?  Then they saw the magic of Finding Nemo on that ten hour drive to Florida.  When the iPad came out it was for gadget-ridden adults who could afford another toy; now children in Kindergarten are using them to learn to read.

As a society we are no longer shocked that teenagers and college students are addicted to media, but should we be shocked that children who can’t even tie their shoes pick out toys from the app store?  Parents and teachers are getting accustomed to using the educational resources offered by technology, but these resources have to be introduced in the proper way.

Media and technology can be incredible educational tools, but they can also be easily misused.  When a college student asks their parent for an iPad so they can read their textbooks electronically, that is probably not the whole story.  While e-readers have steadily grown in popularity, tools like the iPad offer far more than the required technology for reading a book.  Parents have to realize that their children may be duping them into buying gadgets.  Sure, little Susie may be reading her Chemistry book on her iPad, but she could also be catching up on Words With Friends, or reaching a new level on Angry Birds.  College students are experts at taking useful, educational tools and manipulating them into hours of procrastination.

On the other hand…

Many apps help young children get ahead in basic skills such as reading and writing by disguising themselves as games.  Letting a three year old use an iPad or computer screen to identify letters and numbers is an interactive way to reinforce what they are learning.  Not all parents make good teachers, and new media can help bridge the gap between school and home.  Sitting a child in front of a computer may not be all bad.  Games targeting things such as reading, memorization and counting enhance a child’s educational prowess.

Children may always be slaves to television, but now they can also be enslaved to the almighty iPad or a computer game.  The trick is to find ways to use new media to further a child’s education, not hinder it.  The next generations will be media junkies no matter what we do, let’s help them use this power for good, not evil.