Track UPS packages with Google

David Platt, Harvard professor and author of the book Why Software Sucks...and What You Can Do About It, points out that it's easier to track your UPS shipment via Google than by going straight to the source. Here's the breakdown:

The UPS.com Method

1. Point your browser to www.ups.com.


2. Choose your country from the list


3. Click the blue arrow to continue.


4. Enter your tracking number into the "Track Packages & Freight" box.


5. Click the checkbox to agree to UPS' Terms and Conditions.


6. Click the blue "Track" button to continue.

The Google Method

1. Point your browser to www.google.com.


2. Enter your tracking number into the Search field.


3. Click "Google Search" to continue.


4. Google will recognize your number as a UPS tracking number and offer you a link that says "Track UPS package." Click it to continue.

If you use Google as the default search engine on your browser toolbar (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc.), then you can reduce the Google method to a mere two steps.

David uses this example to illustrate how a little thoughtful design can go a long way to making things easier for users. Why do I have to choose my country when I visit UPS.com? Why can't the site just figure it out? We have the technology.

Link (via IT Conversations)