Presentation with Annis Lee Adams for Internet Librarian, October 2013

1. 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
Internet Librarian
Mon. Oct. 28, 2013

2. Problem: Patrons Tripping
● New university website w/out usability
testing
● Anecdotal evidence suggested that the
library website was confusing

3. Research
Questions
● Where do our
patrons get
stuck on our
website?
● What are they
looking for?

4. Solution: Use data to clear the path
Analyzed 4 data sources to improve the user experience of the library website.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/julianturner/603667067

5. Jan Pr
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2013
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Feb Rev
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Feb 11- Dist
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Feb 22
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March vi
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Feb 27- Patr
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Mar 22
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March - Imp
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June an
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Timeline

9. Google Analytics Pageviews
Sept 24, 2012 - Feb 25, 2013

10. Patron Interviews
We asked:
● What would you
expect to find in
the following
sections?
We found out:
● Titles & content
for navigation
tabs
clipart.com

11. Before
After

14. Looking into the Future
Usability testing
Analytics analysis after changes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bitterjug/870861414

15. 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!

16. Questions?

17. Image Sources
● http://www.clipart.com
● Street sweeper image via flickr user
julianturner: http://www.flickr.
com/photos/julianturner/603667067
● Crystal Ball image via flickr user bitterjug:
http://www.flickr.
com/photos/bitterjug/870861414/