User needs

User needs are what we call the task a person comes to a website or service to do.

We write user needs to understand what a page of content needs to accomplish. If you can complete the following sentence with a strong verb, you’ve got a good start..

As a (user) I want to (do something) So that I can (expected action)

We know it's done when - the user understands something - the user understands another thing

If you get this right, the rest of your writing will be much easier.

As an immigrant I want to talk to an immigration attorney So that I can stay in the US, vote, get a better job, avoid deportation, and protect my family.

We know it's done when the user: - knows how to contact immigration legal services - knows how to get help paying for their application - knows where services are available in their language

As an event promoter in San Francisco I want to get a permit for my outdoor event So that I can hold the event.

We know it's done when the user: - gets the permit (or understands why the permit was denied) - knows what day and time the permit is good for - understands how loud their event can be