Web users focus on parts above fold, finds survey

21:45 26th March 2010

Web users allocate 80 per cent of their time looking at information on the parts of an internet page which appear above the fold - the part which loads into the viewable browser and requires no scrolling, according Jakob Nielsen's latest research on user habits in relation to web views.

The news means that web designers and administrators should focus on this part of web real estate, because this is the area where users will pay most attention

Louise Ferguson, a user researcher and author, commented: "With navigation, assume that users will not be scrolling to find it. This is particularly so on the home page and nearby landing pages with little content and significant navigation."

Ms Ferguson added that webmasters should try to stay away from situations where the only link to an important area of content is located in the page footer, or two-thirds of the way down the left menu on a long page.

Written by Derek Oldman

MCSA courses& Web Design Courses - helping you to find a new career. Choose from IT courses in Microsoft Networking, Programming, Desktop Support, Database Administration and Web Design.

ADNFCR-1667-ID-19692848-ADNFCR