Jakob Nielsen wrote a very interesting column about the increase in skills of the average internet users. Surprisingly, skills only slightly improved and usability guidelines remain constant.

Jakob starts his column with two counter-arguments against usability.

• “You’re testing idiots — most users are smarter and don’t mind complexity.”
• “You were right in the past, but users have now learned how to use advanced websites, so simplicity isn’t a requirement anymore.”

He has put to the test how the skills of internet users have improved. He notices that people:

• are better at physical operations such as movements and scrolling;
• are more confident at clicking and less afraid that they’ll break something; and
• know the basics of using search and use it more often than we saw in the past.

The above especially shows on the favorite sites of the tested users. If it regards new sites that are visited for the first time, the smallest usability problems surfaced. This once again confirms the importance of usability when designing and developing websites. I cannot imagine a bigger waste for web developers then the perfect client, not becoming a client because he cannot find the “buy this” button on your website.

Source: User Skills Improving, But Only Slightly

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