My Adventures With UI

DIY Sprocket Solutions

I wanted to take some time today to talk to everyone about my challenges with anything computer oriented.  I know, it’s crazy; I work on a computer all day long.  You should know this about me: from time to time I will google: [insert techy concept here] for dummies.  It goes without being said, I have several face palm moments a week.  A few weeks ago, I was asked to help develop a blog about User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX).  For those of you out there going, “Yes, go on.  Everyone knows what UI/UX is.” … just hold your horses.  And for the rest of you, “Isn’t UI a urinary infection?” people; this one is for you.

In a quick, super fast nutshell, UI is the design that people see when they go to your website.  The behind the scenes functions, the tabs people click on, etc. etc. UX is the experience a person has when using your site.  Did you design make them feel all warm and fuzzy and like buying a new pair of slippers?  Good.  Well, as long as you’re selling slippers I guess.  Bottom line, UI/UX is very important.  You want a great balance of design and user experience with that design.  I am here to confess to the world that I am still finding my groove. 

I told you at the beginning of this blog series that I was going to have a few flops.  Well, let’s just say that the “design” element of my online presence is still a work in progress.  We have an awesome tool that we use to develop our newsletters.  It is Express Email Marketing.  It is fool proof.  Unless, of course, I am the fool trying to run it.  This is my 16^th blog folks.  That means I’ve sent out 16 newsletters.  Do you know how many newsletters I’ve sent out without any strange hiccups?  Probably about 5… and I am probably being generous with myself there.  I’ve got weird letters hanging out in my title line.  I’ve got pictures floating around in space.  I am sure I have text that doesn’t match anything, probably in varying shapes and sizes.  Oh, and when I turn around to actually post this blog?  If I number anything… my numbers are running off my page, my subtitles and main titles are all flipped around.  In fact, when I first started I had no clue what the difference between “tags” and “keywords” were and I was tagging myself into every category I could get my hands on.  UI crazy! 

Please learn from me.  Really, someone should.  When a customer comes to your page the UI/UX needs to be in balance.  We don’t want to see the cobwebs on the content that you haven’t updated in two years, please make sure that all your text is somewhat cohesive in size/font, and surely you’ll check for any lone letter Bs hanging out in your subject lines.  Your site is a representation of you.  You only get one first impression, don’t show up in a grungy smelly sweat suit.  We know you sprayed Febreeze on it instead of washing it; it is that obvious.   

Breanne BannonBreanne Bannon

Breanne is a Content Writer, Social Media Marketeer, and Sales Associate for Sprocket Websites.

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