A creative website design agency must remember that a website’s design should be aesthetically pleasing, functional, and easy to understand. To achieve this, creative website designers must consider the learnability of their designs.

Fortunately, there are some tips and best practices you can follow when designing your website to ensure maximum learnability for users.

Understand User Goals

In web design, one must think about what the user wants to achieve through their interaction with a site. This implies that the interface should be self-evident and easy to use so that users can achieve their goals faster. Consequently understanding what your audience wants will help create a better site for them.

The first step in understanding user goals is identifying the user’s main objectives. For example if the user wants to buy something then the design should make it possible to view product details easily; compare prices as well as purchase products with ease. If someone just wishes to browse through it, design should offer a simple navigation system with clear labels and menus.

Once goals are identified it is important to think about how to make the website more user friendly. This involves making sure that navigation is understandable, layout is clean and concise while content remains accessible always. The design of the webpage has also got to be mobile-friendly because many people now access websites using phones.

It’s also imperative for any designer creating a web page not only considering but focusing on its usability by end-users as well. To achieve this, they may use such methods as testing by users where real individuals are asked about different issues related to surfing in order to define problems if they exist at all or maybe get insider knowledge on what users actually want.

Make Navigation Intuitive

Navigation design is crucial for any website since it determines how easily visitors find what they need. The most popular actions on the site, like logging in or searching, should be prominent and labeled clearly. Also, all essential pages—the homepage, contact page, etc.—should be accessible from anywhere else on the website.

Navigation elements should be clear and organized in a way that makes sense with labels that accurately describe the page they lead to. All page navigation elements should be consistent so that visiting another page from one doesn’t cause confusion.

Navigation should also be designed with mobile users in mind. Mobile devices typically have smaller screens and fewer interactive elements than desktop devices, so it’s crucial to design concise and easy navigation on a smaller screen. This may mean using fewer navigation elements and more concise labels.

Use Simple Visual Design

Learnability in web design largely depends on its visual simplicity. It implies using few interface components such as minimalistic color scheme or fonts minimizing content complexity and promoting an explicit hierarchy of information structure. A simple visual design assists users to swiftly interpret the goals of a page; locate the right information; and move about without difficulty inside the site.

The structure and hierarchy of content are also pertinent. Every page must have a clear purpose and be easy to navigate. This will therefore require that the navigation is uniform all through the site and there must be pages arranged in hierarchical manner and sections followed by it. Labels should be self-explanatory, pages should follow one another in a logical way.

Make sure that your page content can be understood by users by keeping it concise and well organized. Split the text into headings and subheadings, while images or other visuals should only help underline key concepts.

This makes it easier for users to understand web designs that use simple visual design as well as those that concentrate on structure and hierarchy. In this way, they can quickly find what they are looking for without getting lost or confused during their search.

Use familiar interaction patterns

One of the most significant things about web design is “learnability” which refers to how easy it is for people to learn how to use a website. Designers should thus ensure that they apply familiar interaction patterns so that users can quickly learn how to use websites. By applying familiar interaction patterns, users may recognize the design elements and know how they function accordingly.

Commonly used elements in web design make up these kinds of mutual interaction routines. Examples include navigation menus, buttons as well as forms. Users will identify them from other sites which they have been using because they are using these types of templates hence would know exactly how to go about using them within an instant but designers may also utilize various visual indications like arrows or icons pointing at these components.

Using familiar interaction patterns is also helpful in reducing confusion among users. These already familiar elements help the user avoid having them start understanding from scratch on-site workings; instead directing focus onto site’s content thereby facilitating faster browsing experiences.

User Testing To Measure Learnability

Learnability is an important element when it comes to web design; hence user testing cannot be avoided here. By observing and recording the behavior of real users as they interact with a website or app, user testing provides valuable insights into how easy it is to use a web design and how users interact with it. That’s why we need to have this data in order to identify the areas we can make better so that overall experience may be easier for all.

Selecting adequate methods for user testing is essential for your web-design project. A variety of options including A/B testing, usability testing, and focus groups are available. Each has its own pros and cons; hence you should consider which one could fit your project better.

User Testing aims at identifying where improvements are needed by understanding how users engage with the design. Thus, effective measurement of right metrics accompanied by relevant questions are necessary.

Always look out for patterns when sorting through user data from tests. If similar problems appear regularly, then an upgrade to the design may be required. Also check if the data shows that the user was able to reach their goal.

Informed decisions about web design can only be made with data from user testing. Still other research methods need to be used even though user-testing produces useful information on how easily a person can navigate a website. User test results should give more insight into feedback and analytics therefore enhance our knowledge of customer behavior.

Conclusion

Web design must be learnable. While designing for the web, it is crucial to consider how quickly a user can learn your website or app. In this regard, user testing helps designers to determine how easily people can learn how to use websites.

Thus, the most effective web design agencies will make website designs that users will find easy to comprehend by utilizing familiar interaction patterns, arranging content in a logical manner and performing user testing. This allows users to get the information they need without being disoriented or bewildered as a result. Hence, knowing learnability is crucial in creating a successful web design.

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Real Estate Technology Trends

Several technology trends are modernizing real estate in 2023. PropTech startups are introducing solutions spanning property management, investments, transactions and more. These innovations are increasing efficiency, transparency and convenience across the real estate ecosystem.

Specific technologies like artificial intelligence, augmented reality and big data analytics are enabling brokers to tap into insightful market trends. Immersive 3D virtual property tours are becoming popular to remotely view homes, while digital transaction management is accelerating closings.

Blockchain platforms also offer decentralized, transparent property exchanges. Meanwhile, digital concierge mobile apps facilitate broker-client communications.

Such exponential technology growth is expected to continue disrupting real estate business models in 2024. The top trends include hyperautomation, cloud enablement, AI augmentation and tokenization of assets via blockchain.

Programming Innovations in Commission Advance Systems

Amidst the PropTech boom, commission advance solutions specifically are undergoing major programming upgrades. Commission advance systems allow real estate agents and brokers to receive a part of their commission early before the actual closing. This provides vital cash flow between listings and sales completion.

Programming innovations are now allowing seamless integration of commission advance platforms with existing brokerage systems. Automated data tracking and transfers eliminate manual work for brokers to send listing data. AI algorithms also enable customized advance amount recommendations based on predictive sales closure timing.

Smart contracts further streamline commission release workflows on blockchain. One key benefit is decentralized commission tracking that provides transparent system audit trails. Overall, these advancements are significantly improving user experience and efficiency.

For brokers and agents, a major advantage is instant access to commission liquidity. Instead of waiting for the entire sales cycle to complete, they can now utilize up to 80% of their estimated commissions instantly. This aids business continuity between listings and sales closure, especially helpful amidst market uncertainties.

Programming innovations also enable optimized advance amount calculation aligned with closing timelines. For developers, fractionalized commission monetization unlocks new recurring revenue streams.

Challenges and Opportunities

However, some risks remain around data privacy, security and integration with existing tools. Education is also needed for wider adoption across brokerages and agents less familiar with commission advance mechanisms. Compliance with state real estate regulations is another key consideration during technology buildouts.

But overall, programming innovations open up many new opportunities. Those embracing commissión advance systems early can gain a strategic edge. Firstly, offering flexible, tech-enabled commission liquidity options attracts top real estate talent. This subsequently drives more listings and sales.

Secondly, faster access to capital means brokers can easily scale their business despite market fluctuations. Overall by adopting the latest commission advance platforms, real estate professionals can accelerate growth while future-proofing their operations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the real estate sector is undergoing immense technology-led transformation. For commission advance systems specifically, programming upgrades like automation, blockchain and AI are enabling step change improvements in efficiency.

While some challenges exist, innovation in commission advance mechanisms presents huge opportunities for the industry. Real estate brokers, agents and developers must proactively embrace these emerging technologies for sustaining their competitive edge and scaling success.

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There are a huge amount of frameworks and methodologies that are used in the software development process, including Agile, Scrum, Kanban, and other approaches. While each of them has its own advantages, the only thing that can really make your product a success is competent execution. 

In this article, we will dive deep into risk management in software development and discuss the most common risks and the ways to avoid them. 

Success criteria

Let’s start, however, with traits that make the product a success:

• launched on time
• within the limits of a budget
• little to no bugs and crashes
• functions as intended
• popular among end-users
• solves specific business goals
• meets the stakeholders’ requirements
• delivers tangible business value

The reality is, that not all of those criteria are usually met, and you need to be prepared for the scenario when something goes wrong. Hopefully, this article will help. 

What can go wrong during the custom software development process and what you can do about it

Risk 1: Low expertise of contractors

Finding a development partner can be confusing because everybody promises a full development cycle and turnkey services.

For example, having decided to digitize part of the business, the company turns to a web studio (aka digital agency/web integrator). The service takes place in the format of one window, where they are asked to fill out a brief, and then, based on it, they come up with technical requirements. If the system is complex and requires experienced programmers, then the development is given to outsourcing production.

The subcontractor is required to perform work on poorly created technical requirements. If the product lives up to the release, it often turns out that it does not solve the company’s problems, and no one wants to use it.

This is a market problem – the contractor inadequately assesses its own strengths, makes the wrong decisions, and, as a result, does not help in any way.

How to avoid it

First, you need to find trusted partners with good reviews and proven experience with successfully completed projects, preferably in your industry. After that, communication is key. Make sure that your development partner is ready to make business trips and open to communicating with stakeholders, end users, and developers that are involved in the process. 

While creating technical specifications and requirements, the experts must not only describe the elements of the interface but also understand the complex integrations and algorithms that are hidden behind visual elements.

Risk 2: Exceeding the budget before the release of the product

The software development services market is dominated by fixed budgets and postpaid. Therefore, accounts and sales departments try to agree on an estimate and conclude an agreement as soon as possible. If the web studio incorrectly compiled the design, carried out an incomplete assessment, and attracted a subcontractor for development, then production hell can happen.

The volume of work will increase, and the general contractor will begin to protect its interests and push performance to meet the budget. This process harms the performance of both the client and the contractor. 

These political wars are hidden from the client. The client has no idea how many links are in the chain, and how the development process goes – the partners of the web studio signed an NDA. As a result, the developer sacrifices the quality of the product to avoid ending up with a financial loss, and the web studio only thinks about how to sign the acts and get paid as soon as possible. Nobody cares about the quality level of the product.

How to avoid it

When coming up with estimates, web studios are limited only to the general stages of work: analytics, design, layout, and programming. While a competent performer will add to the estimate of all the functional elements of the system being developed.

It is impossible to estimate the amount of work on the digital transformation of a business based on a five-minute conversation. Therefore, the work with the estimates requires several stages, and without analytics, it will not be possible to get the final cost of design and development.

Risk 3: Changes in the project during the development

The development of an integrated information system, on average, takes at least a year. During this time, anything can happen.

It may happen that in the middle of the journey the client changes the way the business is done, or better technologies are introduced, or maybe something just changed in the world.

For example, the IT vendor is developing a courier delivery system, but the market changed due to the political situation. Significant aggregators reduced the commissions, and the product no longer solves the previously set goals. In such a scenario, it is absolutely normal if the customer starts changing tasks without waiting for the development to be completed.

How to avoid it

If the customer proposes to change something, then firstly you should figure out the reasons, and start an open conversation in order to understand the details.

Only after that, evaluate these changes, and try to foresee the associated risks, including budget overruns. Then find the best approach to implement these changes and propose it to the client. 

Risk 4: Loss of interest from the owner

When something changes in the world, the customer can get carried away with another line of business, and forget about the current project. The loss of interest leads to the fact that the performer is either asked to completely stop the work or, worse, to leave it in limbo. Waiting for a decision leads to team downtime and overhead expenses.

But more often interest disappears when there are serious changes in the organizational structure on the side of the customer, and people change on the project. As a rule, these people are not aware of the full context, and therefore do not see the value in the development. 

How to avoid it

To keep the owner interested, the vendor should show intermediate results. Large systems usually consist of a set of services, so as a result of each iteration of development, the fully completed functionality of a single service that can already be used should be demonstrated. So the client sees that the product solves the business problems.

Risk 5: The client does not have enough time for participation

Employees on the client side do not provide the necessary information, and the manager responds with significant delays, slowing down the entire process. At the same time, the solution is being actively developed, interest has not been lost, and the deadlines are still on.

Unfortunately, this happens often. In this case, an inexperienced developer will begin to take offense, lower priorities for tasks, and eventually switch the entire team to another project. The logic of the developer is clear here, no one wants downtime due to unreasonably long approvals. This leads to damaged relationships and not finishing the project.

How to avoid it

It will be a good idea to set responsible persons on the clients side and make an agreement on the degree of their involvement throughout an entire development process. 

Risk 6: Unnecessary adjustments and improvements

The client is not always competent enough to assess the degree of readiness of the software, and this is fine. It is much worse when the developer does not understand whether the solution is ready. The launch is often delayed due to unreasonable edits.

This situation happens due to the fact that edits are proposed by those who are not responsible for the final result, unqualified people who have an incomplete context. 

An inexperienced contractor will either endlessly question these changes in order not to make them at his own expense, or vice versa, take into account absolutely all the comments. 

How to avoid it

If comments come from a person who is not responsible, then it is better to record them and discuss with those who are directly responsible. Before making any changes, it is important to understand how these changes will influence the overall goals, deadlines and the budget. 

Risk 7: Infrastructure not ready for launch

The fact that the infrastructure is not ready on the client side, legal nuances are not formalized, and there are no partnership agreements can also delay or stop the launch from happening. 

For example, a system is designed to run on SSD drives, but the current infrastructure uses an HDD, or a business is launching a new line that has not yet received approval from a government agency.

The vendor in this situation sometimes continues to work, ignoring the problems. Because it is comfortable not to go beyond his area of ​​responsibility. Formally, the vendor does the right thing, the problem is on the client’s side. But what is the use of a product that will be impossible to launch?

How to avoid it

Communication is once again is the solution here. It is important to talk openly about all possible blockers for the release on both sides. 

Conclusion

All risks are connected in one way or another. A specific problem not fixed in time can cause a snowball effect. But as experience shows, there are three universal ways to prevent and minimize the consequences of risks:

• Avoiding potential risks
• Having an action plan to fix the consequences if something happens
• Willingness to change the development course and search for alternative solutions

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dbForge SQL Tools

SQL Tools is a great development tool for anyone who works with SQL Server or SQL Azure. It includes features for many different scenarios, such as database schema design, SQL queries, stored procedures, triggers, data migration, and deployment. dbForge DevOps Automation is an excellent tool that allows you to automate tasks while increasing your productivity and reducing expenses.

Pros:

Quickly write, beautify, and refactor your code while drastically increasing your productivity thanks to the IntelliSense-style SQL code completion in SSMS, a great collection of code snippets, SSMS tab coloring & document sessions, intelligent renaming of aliases and variables, advanced customizable code formatting profiles, and warning before executing code that could cause a crash.

dbForge Query Builder for SQL Server allows you to quickly and easily build complex SQL queries using a visual interface. You don’t have to write the query manually. We’ve built a new visual SQL query builder, which makes it easier to develop SQL queries for SQL Server. This graphical SQL query designer and all of its interactive query building features will be most appreciated by users who need to create various queries for databases.

With this application, you can view and decrypt the encrypted stored procedures, views, functions, and triggers without the need to connect to DAC. Save your time while decrypting database objects. Use syntax highlighting to view DDL scripts of stored routines, use Unicode support, and take advantage of decryption caching, batch mode, output options, and other features to help you.

Cons:

That’s a shame, because they’re two completely separate tools. They could, however, have the ability to link up a little better, and make them even easier to use. Comparing two schemas of databases, it would be really useful to have a button to “compare data”. This launches data comparison and displays the differences.

Price:

• $1,299 for a standard license
• Or $1,299 for a professional license
• Free Trial available

Navicat for SQL Server

Navicat is an amazing MySQL database management tool that allows you to simultaneously connect to MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and SQLite databases from a single application. Compatible with the popular cloud database systems: Amazon RDS, Amazon Aurora, Amazon Redshift, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud, and Google Cloud. You can easily build, manage and maintain your databases.

Whether you’re working from your laptop, smartphone, or any other mobile device, data transfer, data synchronization, and structure synchronization help you migrate your data, and synchronize data between devices for less overhead.

Data and Structure Synchronization is a very powerful feature in DataBase Manager that will help you to synchronize your database. Set up and deploy the comparison in seconds. Get the detailed instructions to specify the changes you want to make.

Pros:

When it comes to migrating a big and complex structure between two databases, it’s a challenge. You used to have to dump SQL files using a 3rd party utility, and then create database objects on the target DB. New version of Migrator Pro is ready to go live. Now you can connect to both simultaneously and perform all of your migration work from one tool. The latest version – 15 – added a couple of features that you have really enjoyed.

The first is Dark Mode. You have an eye condition called myopia, or short-sightedness, which causes your eyes to get tired after a few hours of bright computer screens. Using dark mode helps them focus, and having the new data visualization tool helps them make more progress. This allows you to transform my company’s data into sharp-looking visualizations so that you can better identify trends and patterns in the business. Data Analysis is the art of summarizing large amounts of data to make an educated business decision or strategy.

Cons:

Navicat Premium has probably too many features, but it’s the best tool for connecting to a MySQL database. Some products you don’t use at all. Like the Visual SQL Builder, which is used to create advanced database queries. While it’s important for beginners who aren’t very familiar with SQL to have this book, you don’t need it.

Price:

• $64.99 per month
• Or $1,299 for a perpetual license
• Free Trial available

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Huawei did not specify why it chose the name Cangjie for its programming language. However, the company said that it should become a link between the operating systems Huawei HarmonyOS and OpenEuler. The language should allow to write universal code suitable for both platforms. This was revealed by Deng Taihua, president of Huawei’s computing division, who said that the programming language will launch next year, but did not say when exactly.

Open Euler is Huawei’s lesser-known operating system for cloud computing. It debuted in January 2020 and is a proprietary Linux distribution that is based on the commercial EulerOS, which originated from CentOS. OpenEuler is optimized to work with Arm processors. HarmonyOS, on the other hand, is a consumer operating system that runs on smartphones and a huge amount of other smart electronics.

It is worth noting that Huawei is not alone in its desire to introduce its own programming language. Google has Go, which turned out to be very appealing to hackers, and Apple introduced Swift back in 2014, although Objective-C is still the core language for macOS and iOS.

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