This is a short evaluation for several of the Loto-Québec websites. The goal of this exercise is to highlight the difficulties and deterrent to members and users of the Loto-Québec games.
This evaluation was made using Bastien & Scapin's ergonomic criteria.
Summary
We were able to isole several sites worthy of attention. Following the exploration of these sites, we were able to make several analyses for some pages and offer them to you. It must be noted that we take the perspective of users in the context of their use and knowledge of Loto-Québec.
Criteria:
2. Workload, 6. Consistency, 8. Compatibility
Description:
Overall, the site is simple, navigable, and clear.
It is easy to read thanks to the colors and the typographic spacing.
Recommendation:
Slow the carousel speed or remove it (less than 5% of users click these or see 100% of the available information).
Increase the space between the columns.
Remove the underline text formatting.
Navigation Menu and Overall Page
Criteria:
3.1. Explicit User Action, 3.2. User Control, 4.2. User Experience
Description:
The page is busy with bright, saturated colors, which creates a cognitive surcharge for the user.
The navigation menu is hidden at the top of the page its colors are not consistent with the rest of the page or with the Loto-Québec graphic chart.
Furthermore, the page is not well structured for helping the user make a decision, if they need information, or helping them satisfy their needs.
Recommendation:
Revisit the welcome page for this portal.
Re-identify the page with the Loto-Québec graphic scheme.
Structure the page by prioritizing information according to user needs.
Offer the user the possibility to go directly to the menu without having to click on a button or drop-down list.
Criteria:
1.2. Grouping/Distinction of Items, 1.3. Immediate Feedback, 2.2. Information Density, 6. Consistency
Description:
The page menu is hidden, but the pages and navigation correspond to the items in the page.
Recommendation:
Avoid duplicating navigation items. Users will be more focused and the site will have better conversion.
Criteria:
1.3. Immediate Feedback, 1.4. Legibility, 2. Workload, 4.2. User Experience
Description:
Certain page elements do not show up since they use Flash. Certain browsers and technology don't support this technology.
The Facebook tab does not work, there is no content in this window.
In Twitter, the last comments are only refreshed at the end of each week and there is no animation.
Recommendation:
Replace Flash with HTML5.
Add a specific message in the Facebook section to tell users why there are no updates (explanations).
Loto-Québec customers will have more time at the end of the week to be solicited by the company since they will have more attention, less stress, more time to buy tickets or to test the site and mobile applications.
Criteria:
1.3. Immediate Feedback, 3.1. Explicit User Action, 4.1. Flexibility
Description:
The images don't load since there is Flash integration in the site.
Recommendation:
Use HTML5 instead.
Criteria:
1.2. Grouping/Distinction of Items, 1.4. Legibility, 4.2. User Experience, 6. Consistency
Description:
The menu is not very legible and is superposed over another menu.
There are 4 levels of navigation on this page alone, which causes confusion.
Recommendation:
Prioritize the most important navigation elements that the user needs to access to meet their goals and for a better site conversion.
Give more space in the menus and increase font size.
Criteria:
1.3. Immediate Feedback, 2.1. Brevity, 7. Significance of Codes
Description:
Is the online Loto-Québec customer informed enough to use this service for the first time? So that they are converted to a regular client and spend time between the online Loto-Québec game and other kinds such as online, tablet, or smartphone games.
Recommendation:
Educate, inform, and test users to convert them and reassure them of the finality of the actions of the game.
Criteria:
1.3. Immediate Feedback, 2. Workload, 2.1. Brevity, 3.2. User Control, 4.2. User Experience
Description:
The site is very dense. The information lengthy and does not attempt to convert users. The site weighs down the user's cognitive charge and does not help new users to understand and want to use games like those on this site.
Recommendation:
Lighten the mental load by making the site less dense and more attractive and educative.
Make the site less complex and go directly to the game play.
Know the perspective of users towards Loto-Québec. Design around their mental schema and their goals.
Criteria:
1.4. Legibility, 4.2. User Experience, 7. Significance of Codes
Description:
The colors are not easily readable and imply danger (red and yellow are colors of caution and danger).
The user does ont feel confident on this page. There are many mandatory questions before being able to play a game, which complicates the membership process.
Recommendation:
Calm and reassure the user.
Change the colors and inverse them: white background and black text (the text will be more readable).
Take the perception of users into account.
Conditions and Information Access
Criteria:
1.2.2. Grouping/Distinction by Format, 2.1.1. Concision, 2.2. Information Density, 4.2. User Experience
Description:
Site users expect to create a profile and receive accurate information to activate their account right away. Users must be clearly informed that their profile and credit card will be examined. This is not clear.
Recommendation:
Take into account user's needs and expectation.
Create a simple system for immediate and rapid consumption.
Prendre en compte les besoins des utilisateurs et leur attentes.
Créer un système qui est simple pour une consommation immédiate et rapide.
Informer les utilisateurs sur l'enquête qui va être faite et pourquoi ils ont autant d'information à remplir.
Criteria:
1.3. Immediate Feedback, 2.1.2. Minimal Actions, 4.2. User Experience, 8. Compatibility
Description:
The images don't charge since they are in Flash. The wording is not showing either. Certain users will definitely not see the welcome page information.
Recommendation:
Use HTML5 animation.
Use typographic characters or other techniques. Stop using Flash for this type of action.
Criteria:
2.1. Brevity, 3.1. Explicit User Action, 3.2. User Control
Description:
Users wanting to explore the app will be frustrated by this pop-up. Can the geolocation not locate prior to this or at a different time?
Recommendation:
Make sure this step does not impede app use.
Criteria:
7. Significance of Codes
Description:
The message the user sees in the Loto-Québec application clearly shows them that there is no chance. This type of message is contrary to the brand image of Loto-Qubec, having a chance.
Recommendation:
Remove the negative message.
Propose upcoming events so that people can plan for activities.
Criteria:
1.3. Immediate Feedback, 4.2. User Experience
Description:
A message appears to explain the loading time.
Recommendation:
The user uses mobile for an immediate consultation. The loading time should be reduced significantly to meet this user expectation and need.
Criteria:
2.2. Information Density, 4. Adaptability
Description:
The informational density on this page is too much for the type of information. There is also a large PDF file for the menu information.
Recommendation:
Put the menu online for the application.
Reduce the amount of text. Leave only the essential and indicate information such as: hours of operation, date, menu, telephone number for reservations, online reservations. Also, reduce the size of the header image to maximize screen space.
Following this mini-evaluation, it's important to note that the varying Loto-Québec sites do not respond to the needs and expectations of regular or new users. The learning curve is too much for new users.
A lot is being offered and the sites require a large attention span as much for reading the information as for accessing other information to meet user goals.
The most accessible site is the corporate site for Loto-Québec. According to 'gamer' logic, this site would not be used much by the client (our hypothesis). The structure is simple and relatively fluid compared to the other sites. In order to attract new users or strengthen the relationship with existing ones, an analysis of client needs, user context, and use length needs to be completed. Mobile games and online games have grown quickly the last few years and it is important to address Loto-Québec's user's needs to capitalize on this.
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