In part one of their guest contribution, Clicker.tv introduced us to their thoughts surrounding the adaptation of online content for display on TV screens. Today they wrap it up by looking at how navigation needs to be altered.
2. The Navigation: What’s different about how they’ll interact with your site?
- Forget everything you knew about the mouse—you’re going to have to entirely reinvent your site’s navigation. Your font and button sizes have to increase exponentially so users can see them from their La-Z-Boy. Restricted mostly to up/down and left/right movements, your users are going to want large selection surfaces that expand or, at least, ones that are clearly highlighted when someone navigates to them. It might also be valuable to add padding/white space between elements so users don’t get confused.
- Another challenge is getting rid of the vertical scrolling bar. It’s fundamental to desktop browsing, but basically useless on the 10-ft UI. Horizontal layouts and visual transitions between different content pages will help your user navigate your new design, keeping everything “above the fold” and within an easy up/down left/right reach. While you’re at it, erase any navigational arrows, clickable page numbers, and more. Give a super easy, clear way to get back to your Home page from every page. Think through what’ll help your users most.
- No matter how intuitive your page’s new navigation is, when people arrive there, you’re going to have to explain it (something users on desktop browser rarely need). Because there’s no time for poking around or taking a “tour,” an immediate pop-up/notification upon entry can effectively explain your navigation and what your site’s all about.
- Some great examples to check out include the TV interfaces of CHOW, Flixster, Blip.tv, Vevo, and The New York Times!
Clicker.tv is just the first step for us. As the TV increasingly becomes our monitor, how will users interact? How will their behavior change, adapt, and grow? We don’t know, but we’re looking forward to doing what we can to keep on top of it and keep delivering the absolute best user experience we can.
This is a guest post from Clicker. Clicker is the complete programming guide for the new era of Internet TV. Clicker catalogs all the premium TV shows, movies, Web series, live events and music videos available on the Web in one seamless, organized experience so viewers can easily discover what’s available to watch, where to watch it, and share what’s worth watching online and from their iPhone or Android devices.
