Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited summary
A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
20 mins
Brief summary
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited by Steve Krug is a user-friendly guide to web usability, focusing on how to create a website that is intuitive and easy to navigate. It offers practical tips and techniques for building sites that work well for users of all levels.
Topics
Table of Contents
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited
Summary of 9 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 9
Instead of learning how a system works, we prefer to play and figure things out on our own.
Did you read the user manual to a technology gadget you purchased recently? Probably not.
Unless you happen to be an engineer, most people simply don’t care about how stuff works.
Imagine asking a random person on the street to explain how a browser or search engine operates. Although most people lack even the most basic knowledge about the mechanics of the internet, they can still navigate websites without much problem.
So when you buy a new device, often you just play around with it instead of reading the directions that explain how to use it. And then, when you find a method of operation that works for you, you stick to it.
You may have seen this behavior firsthand, for instance when someone searches for a complete website URL instead of using the browser’s URL bar to go directly to the desired website.
This is an example of a common decision-making strategy called satisficing. Given a problem, you’d think that a human would rationally search for information, identify solutions, compare them and then choose the best one. But in fact, satisficing is a more typical approach.
A study showed, for instance, that firefighters simply do a quick check for errors and then proceed with the first available solution. And these are people operating in high-pressure, high-risk situations!
In contrast, your average web surfer just needs to click the “back” button on a browser if she makes a mistake and clicks on an incorrect link. In general, we make decisions quickly as we surf online. Not only because it’s easier, but also because figuring things out independently feels like a game – it’s more fun!
In other words, our default internet behavior is to click on the first thing that catches our attention. And when this gets us what we want, we feel smart, comfortable and more confident.
Want to see all full key ideas from Don't Make Me Think, Revisited?
Key ideas in Don't Make Me Think, Revisited
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Don't Make Me Think, Revisited about?
Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited (2014) describes the basic principles governing behavior online and explains how you can build a website that delivers a great user experience. Also included is a simple guide to help you test a website at each stage of its development.
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited Review
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited (2014) is a book that explores the principles of intuitive website design and usability. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its clear and practical advice, it provides valuable insights and actionable strategies for creating user-friendly websites.
- Using real-life examples, the book illustrates key concepts, making it easy to understand and apply to one's own web design projects.
- The author's humorous and down-to-earth writing style keeps the reader engaged, ensuring that the book is not only informative but also enjoyable to read.
Best quote from Don't Make Me Think, Revisited
Krugs first law of usability: Dont make me think!
—Steve Krug
Who should read Don't Make Me Think, Revisited?
- Anyone working at a small company with a web presence
- Web designers, developers and web project managers
- Anyone who wants to persuade their boss to take usability seriously
Categories with Don't Make Me Think, Revisited
Book summaries like Don't Make Me Think, Revisited
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
34 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited FAQs
What is the main message of Don't Make Me Think, Revisited?
The main message of Don't Make Me Think, Revisited is that usability should be the top priority in website design.
How long does it take to read Don't Make Me Think, Revisited?
The reading time for Don't Make Me Think, Revisited varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Don't Make Me Think, Revisited a good book? Is it worth reading?
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited is a must-read for anyone involved in website design. It offers practical insights and strategies for creating exceptional user experiences.
Who is the author of Don't Make Me Think, Revisited?
The author of Don't Make Me Think, Revisited is Steve Krug.
What to read after Don't Make Me Think, Revisited?
If you're wondering what to read next after Don't Make Me Think, Revisited, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Laws of UX by Jon Yablonski
- 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People by Susan M. Weinschenk
- Hooked by Nir Eyal
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Lean UX by Jeff Gothelf
- Outlive by Peter Attia
- Inspired by Marty Cagan
- Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray
- Four Ways of Thinking by David Sumpter
Featured Titles
- A Great Party
- Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday
- Anatomy of a Business Plan
- Bid Writing for Project Managers
- Bitcoin Billionaires
- Business Plan Template And Example: How To Write A Business Plan
- Contract Drafting and Negotiation for Entrepreneurs and Business Professionals
- Create an Intensive Biz Playbook & Planner
- Creating a Business Plan For Dummies
- Do It Scared