OUGD504 - Studio Brief 2 - Understanding User Flows / Task Flows

ConversionXL.com

 

Defining business and user objectives are important in understanding how the site will be used.
Users arrive on the site from a number of locations so it has to be considered where they come from. When they arrive on the site they may not act as predicted. Sequences of actions lead users through the site. Mapping a users path means documenting a users route from entry, to final action.

Entry Points include:
- Organic searches from sites such as Google 
- Paid advertising such as banner ads
- Social Media links 
- Emails or newsletters with links 
- Press or news items with links to other pages 
- Direct link means the user comes to the site because the URL is already known by them or the computer  

User Flows can be step by step or there can be stacked user flows. Stacked user flows means that one action has to be completed first before another can take place e.g. sign up before purchasing. Users who have been through the first flow understand the site better and are more likely to complete the second flow.

Flows are individual screens which are then interacted with to create the next screen, the user is constantly reacting to it.

State diagrams

Anything above the bar is what the user sees and below is the action that they take. This helps to define the most wanted actions on each screen

Flow 

Flow is a mental state defined by psychology professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and is described as an experience that is satisfying and that the user gets enjoyment and involved with the task. It is otherwise known as being 'in the zone'.

Jim Ramsey's points for achieving flow within a design include:

- Clear goals allow the user to know where they are going and how to get there 

- Immediate feedback on their actions and whats happening are important 

- When the user is familiar with the site they look for efficiency, speed and responsiveness.

- Letting the user discover new things is important otherwise they will get bored with the site. Content and features should be allowed to be discovered.

UX Planet 

A task flow is a single flow completed in the same way by all users for a specific action e.g. sign up 

User Flows map out the journey of the user through the site however these are often not linear and can help find gaps between areas.