Web usability
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Web usability is the ease of use of a web site.[1] Some broad goals of usability are the presentation of information and choices in a clear and concise way, a lack of ambiguity and the placement of important items in appropriate areas.
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Methodology [edit]
As more results of usability research become available, this leads to the development of methodologies for enhancing web-usability.[2] There are a number of usability testing tools available in the market.
eCommerce [edit]
In the context of eCommerce websites, the meaning of web-usability is narrowed down to efficiency: triggering sales and/or performing other transactions valuable to the business.
Web usability received renewed attention as many early e-commerce websites started failing in 2000. Whereas fancy graphical design had been regarded as indispensable for a successful e-business application during the emergence of internet in the 1990s, web-usability protagonists said quite the reverse was true. They advocated the KISS principle (keep it simple, stupid), which had proven to be effective in focusing end-user attention.
See also [edit]
- Eye tracking, a fast and accurate usability tool
- Multivariate testing, a statistical testing of user responses
- Web navigation
References [edit]
- ^ Nielsen, Jakob. (August 2003). Usability 101: Introduction to Usability. Alertbox: Current Issues in Web Usability. Retrieved from http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20030825.html
- ^ GOSS Interactive. (October 2011). Conducting a website review and implementing results for increased customer engagement and conversions. Retrieved from http://www.gossinteractive.com/community/whitepapers/conducting-a-website-review-and-implementing-results-for-increased-customer-engagement-and-conversions
External links [edit]
See also the "External links" section for the Usability article.
- Usability.gov—usability basics with focus on web usability
- Evaluating Web Sites for Accessibility—accessibility is a crucial subset of usability for people with disabilities. This W3C/WAI suite includes a section on involving users in testing for accessibility.
- Usability News from the Software Usability Research Laboratory at Wichita State University
- Usability Professionals' Association—Organization for people practicing and promoting usability
- The Usability Methods Toolbox
- Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox—A bi-weekly column about current issues in web usability
Online books [edit]
- The (Usable) Web Style Guide
- User In Your Face—A free, online book about user interface design, written in installments
