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Introduction

In an era where attention spans are shorter than ever, Steve Krug’s Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited stands as the definitive guide to creating user-friendly websites. First published in 2000 and refreshed with modern insights in the 2014 edition, this book simplifies the complex world of web usability with a single, powerful idea: “If users have to think too hard, they’ll leave.”

Krug—a veteran usability consultant—cuts through the jargon and academic fluff to offer a practical, common-sense approach to designing intuitive, effortless digital experiences. With witty examples, real-world testing insights, and straightforward advice, he explains how to make websites, apps, and interfaces clear, clickable, and conversion-friendly.

Whether you’re a UX designer, developer, marketer, or content strategist, this book reminds you that simplicity wins. And usability isn’t just a feature—it’s a survival strategy in today’s competitive digital landscape.

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Top 10 Lessons from Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited

1. Clarity Beats Cleverness

Users don’t want to admire your design—they want to complete their task and move on. Prioritize clarity over creativity to avoid friction and confusion.

2. Users Scan, They Don’t Read

People skim websites looking for clues, not full paragraphs. Use headings, bullet points, and concise copy to guide their eyes and decisions.

3. Every Click Should Feel Obvious

If a user has to stop and wonder “What happens if I click this?”—you’ve already lost them. Navigation and actions must feel intuitive at first glance.

4. Don’t Make Users Think (Too Much)

The core principle: remove mental effort. Interfaces should be self-explanatory, with clear labels, visual hierarchy, and a logical flow.

5. Conventions Are Your Friends

Using familiar layouts, icons, and design patterns reduces cognitive load. Don’t reinvent the wheel—follow proven UX standards to build trust.

6. Test Early, Test Often

You don’t need a full research team. Just watching a few users interact with your product can reveal critical usability flaws—and fix them before launch.

7. Eliminate Unnecessary Words

Less is more. Every extra word slows down users and clutters the interface. Edit ruthlessly, especially on key conversion paths and mobile screens.

8. Design for Forgiveness

Users make mistakes. Good design includes error prevention, clear feedback, and easy recovery options—like undo buttons or helpful error messages.

9. The Homepage Is Not a Magazine Cover

It shouldn’t try to say everything at once. Instead, it should orient the user, communicate your value proposition quickly, and lead them toward action.

10. Accessibility Is Usability

Designing for people with disabilities—visual, motor, cognitive—results in better experiences for everyone. Inclusive design isn’t optional; it’s essential.

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Steve Krug’s philosophy is refreshingly simple: Make things easy. Remove friction. Respect the user’s time. Whether you’re building a startup site or revamping a global product, Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited offers timeless usability principles that convert visitors into loyal users—without the guesswork.