I want Aaron to help with:

User experience for a website, application, or service

The first thing we’ll do is identify all of the user types (or personas) that interact with your website, application, or service.

Then we will establish the actions taken by a familiar user (one who uses the system frequently) and eliminate any unnecessary steps and off-ramps in the actions they undertake. This can be a big job, but the expression “less is more” really means is “less is better”.

For unfamiliar users (new or infrequent) we’ll build in performance support. Depending on the medium this can include techniques such as:

• Interactive feature tours
• “Wizard” interfaces for multi-step processes
• Globally present access to context specific help information — with a fallback to a complete, searchable, knowledge base

Online strategy for my product or business

Every business can benefit from an online strategy. Whether you sell software or long-haul trucking, there are ways to succeed on the web.

They key is to identify one or two important tactics, and then execute them well. Then repeat. I can help you do this.

Website development

I can help you with usability, all aspects of web development, and will build your site in the latest standards-based techniques.

I believe in craftsmanship — delivering solid back-end code, and HTML/CSS/JavaScript that implements the user interface elegantly and effectively with progressive enhancements.

I work primarily in LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) environments, and have experience with major PHP frameworks, and open source CMS and/or portal engines like WordPress and Drupal.

I can also develop with third-party API’s like Google Maps, Twitter, Facebook, and many more to create great user experiences on your site.

Small development teams and project collaboration

For the right projects, small development teams of three to four members can work wonders. The keys to success are: some skill overlap, a prototyping approach to feature development, and vetting several times per day.

Many generations of the application can evolve in a short period of time under this approach. This pace of development often appeals to business managers because of regular internal releases for review.

Developers also benefit from more input from team members, and less risk of business strategy and objectives outpacing the project.

Collaboration is key. You need requirements from business users, back end scalability and security expertise, front-end interface elegance, and user-focused design. You need tools like Basecamp or Google Apps to ease this collaboration at low costs, and you need version control like Subversion for your code.

If you are not working in this way — and think your projects are the right size to try — I can help plan and implement these processes and coach your team along the way.

Social Media, SEO, Web 2.0 and related jargon

Yes these terms are all internet industry jargon — but they are all still very real.

The fact that people can’t stop trying to sell you on them is not what makes them impossible to ignore and difficult to master. They are impossible to ignore and difficult to master because the summation of all internet users is like the drops of water that make up the ocean. Vast right?

This is what the jargon amounts to: You can’t control the tide — but you can observe it’s power and effect — and you can observe the creative ways others stay afloat.

To drive the metaphoric imagery home — I can help you ride the surf instead of ending up with sand in your trunks.

How I will help you address the jargon

• Your content will be found in the proper search contexts.
• Your web site will be modern in terms of web standards and user experience.
• You will join the social media conversation without a megaphone.

Do these concepts sound interesting? This is what I do at Able Sense so please get in touch if you have an interesting project or problem to solve.

Want to talk about something other than business? You can send me a message to get in touch.