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Tripping Hazards:

Where Do Patrons Stumble on our Website?

Using Web Analytics for Site Improvement

Margot Hanson, California Maritime Academy

Annis Lee Adams, Golden Gate University

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Internet Librarian

Mon. Oct. 28, 2013

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Problem: Patrons Tripping

  • New university website w/out usability testing
  • Anecdotal evidence suggested that the library website was confusing

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Research Questions

  • Where do our patrons get stuck on our website?

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  • What are they looking for?

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Solution: Use data to clear the path

Analyzed 4 data sources to improve the user experience of the library website.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/julianturner/603667067

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Timeline

Project Charter

Distributed patron survey

Reviewed IM stats

Reviewed Google analytics

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Patron interviews

Jan

2013

Feb 11-

Feb 22

Feb 27-

Mar 22

Feb

2013

March 2013

Implemented changes

March - June

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Google Analytics Pageviews

Sept 24, 2012 - Feb 25, 2013

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Patron Interviews

We asked:

  • What would you expect to find in the following sections?

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We found out:

  • Titles & content for navigation tabs

clipart.com

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Before

After

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Looking into the Future

Usability testing

Analytics analysis after changes

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bitterjug/870861414

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Takeaways

  • You don’t need mountains of data to make decisions!
  • You can start seeing patterns after asking only a few people questions about your site.
  • It’s an iterative process--you can make changes, and then make some more!

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Questions?

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Image Sources

  • http://www.clipart.com

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