The aim of the study was to investigate how users experience two different global navigation systems of an e-commerce site in the home furnishing industry. Furthermore, the purpose of the study was to identify which aspects, in a global navigation system, affect the usability of an e-commerce website in the home furnishing industry and investigate what, in connection with a global navigation system, affects the usability. A user centered method called Contextual Inquiry was adopted to define users’ experiences, needs and expectations on global navigation systems in the home furnishing industry. Five participants participated and studied two e-commerce sites: H&M Home and Ellos Home. Furthermore, a content analysis was used to analyze the empirical material. Based on the participants' experiences, needs and expectations concerning/regarding the global navigation systems four themes emerged: to have a distinct search function and an easily accessible shopping cart, a global navigation should be easy to navigate, scrolling is experienced less efficiently, descriptive labels increase efficiency and visibility. The results indicate that the horizontal global navigation menu was considered more useful than the vertical navigation menu, according to the participants, mainly because the drop-down menu made it easier to overview the website's offerings. The vertical menu was considered to have poorer positioning and the biggest problem was that the participants had to scroll to take part of the information. Further on the results also indicate that clear labels, search box and drop-down menu affect the usability.

This bachelor thesis examines how a user can experience different color combinations and how those effect a navigation menu on a website. This with regards on the users first impression. Furthermore, were also different contrasts examined. This thesis also investigates how a navigation menu is being perceived on the basis that it is more appealing in its design, but lacks contrast, comparatively to a design that has strong contrast but do not satisfy the user. Moreover, if color combinations and its placement together with the contrast can increase the efficiency in a navigation process. The colors that were tested were blue and red. Three prototypes were designed which had different color and contrast combinations, but the main colors were blue and red. A qualitative method was being used to examine the impact colors and contrasts can have. An unstructured observation was applied to study the user’s behavior and which prototype was most effective. Moreover, was a think-aloud test where the users had to think-aloud. This method generated an understanding about users first impression and how effective the navigation menu was. Lastly, a semi-structured interview was applied to create a greater understanding about colors impact on the users. The results showed that color and contrast have a big influence on a user’s first impression, but also on a navigation menus’ effectiveness. A more appealing menu with low contrast was being preferred over a menu with high contrast but a less appealing design.

The aim of the study is to examine how information architecture can make language options easily available on websites. The question is how users can find the language selector depending on where it is placed and how it is presented visually on the website. How can a user find and locate the language selector on the website if they cannot read the default language. This study examines what is good and bad information architecture when it comes to language selector and if the user experience will be affected. To find the answer in the research, a comparative analysis was performed by examining the position of language options on different sample sites, such as the placement of the language selector on the navbar (navigation bar) or footer, and including the use of icons. The study measures observations from the participants to study differences in user experience across different websites. The study has measured the time it takes to locate the language selector with 100 users. The users have ranked the chosen websites to be able to demonstrate how effective the information architecture is and how it impacts the user experience. This can guide web developers to implement and make the information architecture more efficient for language choices.