66. People Expect Online Interactions to FOLLOW Social Rules

People EXPECT online interactions...

To follow Social Rules

What does social media really mean?

All online interactions are social interactions...INCLUDING: The act of going to a website  Filling out a form at a government Web site to renew your automobile registration

What are the rules for Social Interactions?

When people interact with each other, they follow rules and guidelines: Both parties have expectations of how the interaction will go.If either of the party violates the expectations, then one of the parties OR BOTH will get uncomfortable.

ONLINE Interaction have the SAME rules...

You have assumptions about how the site will respond and how the interaction will be...

How do Social interactions mirror online?

Many of the online expectations mirror the person-to-person interactions...if the website is unresponsive or it takes too long to load...THEN...it's like the person you're speaking to is not looking at you, or ignoring you.

If the site asks for personal information too early in the interaction  THEN... Its like the other person getting too personal.

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If the Web site does not save your information from session to session.THEN....That is like the other person not recognizing you or remembering that you know each other.

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When designing a product think...

Do the interactions FOLLOW social rules of a person-to-person interaction?...>Follow basic usability guidelines and you'll be more assured of meeting interactive expectations!