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Baymard | UX Prof. Certification > Homepage & Category > Flashcards

Homepage & Category Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary purpose of a homepage?

A

To act as an anchor, helping users explore the site, understand the brand, and access key navigational paths like categories, search, and curated paths.

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2
Q

What are the three primary product-finding paths highlighted on the homepage?

A

Category navigation, search, and curated paths (e.g., inspiration and new arrivals).

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3
Q

Why should banner-like content be used cautiously on homepages?

A

Banner-like content can create visual overload, leading to banner blindness and undermining key navigational elements.

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4
Q

What is a common issue with homepage carousels?

A

Many sites implement carousels poorly, with auto-rotations that move too quickly or lack user controls, frustrating users.

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5
Q

What is the role of category taxonomy in UX?

A

To create a logical and user-friendly structure that helps users navigate and find products efficiently, aligning with user expectations.

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6
Q

What is a common mistake in product subtypes?

A

Incorrectly implementing product subtypes as either categories instead of filters, leading to fragmented user experiences.

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7
Q

How should categories be structured to avoid user confusion?

A

Categories and subcategories should be divided into manageable chunks, avoiding excessive depth while remaining intuitive.

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8
Q

Why is main navigation important?

A

It significantly influences whether users can intuitively navigate or get lost due to poor design choices, such as overly complex drop-downs.

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9
Q

What percentage of tested sites have poor mobile navigation?

A

54% of mobile sites performed poorly due to a lack of visual orientation and clear main navigation options.

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10
Q

What is a best practice for mobile navigation?

A

Highlight the user’s current location within the navigation and ensure categories are visible without being nested behind a single menu item.

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11
Q

What are intermediary category pages?

A

Pages that help bridge broad categories and more specific products, guiding users toward refined product lists and filters.

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12
Q

Why should intermediary category pages not be overly promotional?

A

They should focus on aiding exploration and not distract users with excessive banners or unrelated offers.

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13
Q

What is a key finding about courtesy navigation?

A

Many sites fail to visually distinguish courtesy navigation options (like guides and help) from main product navigation, confusing users.

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14
Q

What is the recommended design for drop-down menus?

A

Use intelligent hover-intent systems and avoid overly narrow hit areas to prevent accidental activations.

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15
Q

What is the risk of over-categorization in product listings?

A

Users may struggle to compare similar products if shared attributes are split across multiple categories instead of being unified by filters.

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16
Q

How can sites improve the scoping of navigation categories?

A

By highlighting both sibling categories and the current scope, helping users understand where they are and what options are available.

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17
Q

What is an effective way to display product categories on desktop and mobile?

A

Expose the first-level categories by default, rather than hiding them behind a single ‘Shop’ or ‘Products’ menu.

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18
Q

Why should the homepage balance both search/navigation elements and promotional content?

A

To avoid visual overload and banner blindness while ensuring key navigational elements remain accessible.

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19
Q

What percentage of sites implemented carousels incorrectly according to Baymard research?

A

Nearly 75% of sites with carousels implemented them poorly, frustrating users.

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20
Q

What is the impact of poor homepage design on first-time users?

A

It can cause users to misinterpret the site’s purpose, leading to site abandonment.

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21
Q

What design element helps new users understand the site’s offerings?

A

Displaying a broad range of product categories and thematic paths on the homepage.

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22
Q

Why is it important to avoid ad-looking content on homepages?

A

It can cause users to perceive the site as less trustworthy and lead to banner blindness.

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23
Q

How can the homepage support return users?

A

By featuring personalized or dynamic content such as recent views, saved items, and new arrivals.

24
Q

What is the risk of using overlays for newsletter signups on the homepage?

A

They can disrupt the browsing experience and lead to user frustration and increased bounce rates.

25
Q

What role does imagery quality play on the homepage?

A

High-quality imagery supports brand perception, user inspiration, and conveys the product’s value.

26
Q

Why should product categories be included in homepage navigation?

A

They provide users with immediate access to the full scope of available products, preventing siloing.

27
Q

What is a common mistake with implementing product subtypes?

A

Implementing subtypes as categories instead of filters, making it harder to see all related products.

28
Q

How should subcategories be aligned for user expectations?

A

Subcategories should be intuitive and reflect common mental models of how users categorize items.

29
Q

What is a common issue with accessory placement in category taxonomies?

A

Accessories are often over-categorized, making it difficult for users to find them in context with main items.

30
Q

What is an example of a poorly implemented taxonomy?

A

Dividing shoe brands as categories instead of filters within the ‘Shoes’ category.

31
Q

Why should product categories be manageable in size?

A

Large or imbalanced categories can overwhelm users and make navigation difficult.

32
Q

What are the benefits of thematic categories like ‘New Arrivals’?

A

They allow users to quickly view curated collections, but they should not prevent users from accessing broader categories.

33
Q

How can mobile category taxonomies differ from desktop?

A

Mobile versions may require simplified structures and collapsible lists to prevent screen clutter.

34
Q

What is a best practice for cross-category filters?

A

Include shared filters, like brand and color, across relevant categories to support easy comparisons.

35
Q

What is the impact of over-nesting categories?

A

It can create a narrow scope too early, forcing users to backtrack and re-navigate.

36
Q

What site was highlighted for its exemplary taxonomy?

A

Staples was highlighted as an example of a well-balanced category taxonomy.

37
Q

Why is the main navigation critical to the user experience?

A

It helps users browse intuitively and avoid confusion about the site’s structure.

38
Q

What percentage of sites failed to highlight the user’s current location in navigation?

A

90% of mobile sites and a significant number of desktop sites failed to highlight the user’s current scope.

39
Q

What is a common issue with dropdown menus?

A

Many dropdown menus have narrow hit areas that lead to accidental activations or missed options.

40
Q

Why should courtesy navigation be visually distinct?

A

To prevent users from mistaking them for primary product categories.

41
Q

What is the risk of hiding all categories under a single ‘Shop’ menu?

A

Users may miss the full scope of products and feel lost while navigating.

42
Q

What is a best practice for navigation menus on mobile?

A

Ensure that primary categories are directly accessible without excessive nesting.

43
Q

Why should sibling categories be displayed in the navigation?

A

To help users quickly adjust their scope and understand available options.

44
Q

What defines a ‘drop-down’ menu?

A

A menu that expands upon hover or click to reveal additional navigation options.

45
Q

How can hover-intent systems improve usability?

A

They reduce accidental menu activations by detecting intentional user interactions.

46
Q

Which sites were recommended for navigation design inspiration?

A

Gilt, Sephora, and B&H Photo were recommended for their state-of-the-art implementations.

47
Q

What is the purpose of intermediary category pages?

A

To help users bridge broad categories and refine their product search.

48
Q

Why should intermediary category pages include visual cues?

A

To guide users and confirm they are exploring the intended product range.

49
Q

What is a common mistake on intermediary pages?

A

Filling them with excessive promotional content that distracts from product exploration.

50
Q

What type of content improves intermediary category pages?

A

Adding relevant subcategory previews, filters, and visual thumbnails to support exploration.

51
Q

What is the role of breadcrumbs on intermediary pages?

A

To help users track their navigation path and easily return to previous sections.

52
Q

Why should thematic resources not dominate intermediary pages?

A

They should complement the user journey without overshadowing the main category links.

53
Q

How can intermediary pages improve user engagement?

A

By including interactive elements such as featured collections and category summaries.

54
Q

What is a common issue with intermediary pages on mobile?

A

Poor spacing and over-nested lists make it harder for users to navigate efficiently.

55
Q

How can load times impact intermediary category pages?

A

Slow-loading pages can lead to drop-offs, especially if key elements like images or menus take too long to appear.

56
Q

What is an example of an optimized intermediary category page?

A

Williams-Sonoma was cited for its effective subcategory organization and page design.

Baymard | UX Prof. Certification (3 decks)

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