In this and the next column, we will be discussing what factors make a site easy for seniors to use. Here, we define "seniors" as people over the age of 65.
Although the level of loss varies according to individuals, people lose their physical capability as they get older. This has a tremendous impact on the ability to use a website.
As our society gets older, the number of seniors using the Internet has risen sharply. However, since most websites weren't created with senior users in mind, the sites are difficult to use and end up being stressful for seniors.
These days, when seniors are increasingly important customers for website business, immense benefits await those who create sites that are easy for seniors to use and succeed in turning them into online customers.
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 Factors that make websites hard for seniors to use
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When building a site that is easy for seniors to use, it is important to be aware of the physical characteristics of seniors.
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- Declining eyesight
As we get older, our visual acuity starts to decline and we become increasingly far-sighted at the same time. As a result, many seniors have trouble reading small text. If a senior user moves closer to the screen to compensate for poor eyesight, he or she is then unable to focus and the text appears blurry. However, when they move away from the screen to get the text in focus, the text becomes too small to read. This makes it hard for the senior user to browse a website for an extended period of time.
- Decreased memory
In general, our short-term memory worsens as we get older. This means it is more likely for seniors to lose their place on the website they are visiting.
- Decreased motor skills
The loss of muscle strength and cognitive function that occurs with age makes quick responses more difficult. Some users may have trouble moving the mouse in the way that they want because of shaky hands. This can result in erroneous clicks and other mistakes in fine movements.
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All of the points listed above are simple common sense. However, many website designers and producers are young, and never give a thought to these kinds of considerations for seniors. To win over the increasingly large number of senior users, it is essential to build your site with sufficient consideration to the characteristics of seniors.
So, how should you go about doing so? In the next column, we will discuss some specific solutions for increasing the usability of websites for seniors. |
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