Page Paradigm in the User Experience

In his article called "The Page Paradigm," Mark Hurst notes the constant usage pattern observed internationally in usability labs since 1999. In summary, the paradigm is as follows:

On any given web page, users will click:

• Something that appears to take them closer to fulfilling their goal, or
• The "Back" button in their browser

In effect:

• Users visit a web site with a specific goal in mind.
• Users don't care where they are in a web site.
• "Breadcrumb" links, or links that reveal the hierarchy of the site as the user progresses, are irrelevant.
• Pure consistency in navigation or layout throughout the site is not necessary. A page "works" as long as the page advances the user in the process.

In practice, Mark recommends 3 steps:

1. Identify user goals for each page
2. De-emphasize or remove page elements or areas of the site that don't help accomplish the goal
3. Emphasize or insert links, forms or other elements that help the user accomplish their task.

Read Mark Hurst's Full Article on Good Experience's web site.