User-centred design of Web sites and the redesign of LineOne

This paper describes the results of a study of the LineOne Internet site by members of the User Centred Design group. As a result of the study the sit e was redesigned. It also gives examples of successful Internet sites and l ooks at the components which contribute to this success. The original LineO ne home page was seen as cluttered and confusing by Focus group participant s. There were too many menus and women commented that, with news and sport dominating the home page, it seemed to be aimed at men. Many wanted to cust omise, for example, the news, so that items of interest to them were highli ghted. The right hand menu was not visible on standard 640 x 480 pixel scre ens, which was one of the reasons why people were not accessing many areas of the site. Some of the titles on the menu bar were also fairly obscure. T he ability to search the site from the Top level was seen as desirable by t hose interviewed. As a result of the work done by the User Centred Design g roup the home page was redesigned. Users can now set filters to further cus tomise the information they receive, such as news and entertainment, and th e site has received very favourable reviews in the specialist press.