[IxDA Discuss] Should reducing number of clicks be of primary concern?

[Nasir Barday]

Oliver wrote:

> Some folks on our team insist that reducing the number
> of clicks must be of utmost importance. I agree that it is an important
> guideline, but not at a cost of confusing the user or the fact that the
> user
> will get lost while using the interface.


Boy, if I had a dime for every time I've had to dispell this myth ...

This thread sums up the design thinking on "number of clicks"-itis very
well. As for convincing your team of the gospel, I usually start by
acknowledging that they have their hearts in the right place in wanting to
reduce clicks. The number of clicks for a task is merely a symptom of the
interface's design, not a real design goal.

Then I flash this picture:
http://www.franklins.net/badui2.jpg
"This is a 2-click interface, too ..."

After that, I go into the ideas people have brought up in this thread:
"Do you want less clicks? Or should users feel like they're getting closer
as they explore?"
"Fewer clicks? Or deliver enough satisfaction at each step, so users stick
around until they complete the tasks?"
etc., etc ...

That's my approach at the meeting table, anyway. Add salt to taste ...

- Nasir