Web usability

Web usability is the application of usability in those domains where web browsing can be considered as a general paradigm (or "metaphor") for constructing a GUI.

Contents

General

Web usability is an approach to make web sites easy to use for an end-user, without the requirement that any specialized training be undertaken.[1] The user should be able to intuitively relate the actions he needs to perform on the web page, with other interactions he sees in the general domain of life e.g. press of a button leads to some action. The broad goal of usability can be:

  1. Present the information to the user in a clear and concise way.
  2. To give the correct choices to the users, in a very obvious way.
  3. To remove any ambiguity regarding the consequences of an action e.g. clicking on delete/remove/purchase.
  4. Put the most important thing in the right place on a web page or a web application.

Methodology

As more results of usability research become available, this leads to the development of methodologies for enhancing web-usability. [2]

eCommerce

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 eCommerce 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, which had proven to be effective in focusing end-user attention.

See also

References

  1. ^ Nielsen, Jakob. (August 2003). Usability 101: Introduction to Usability. Alertbox: Current Issues in Web Usability. Retrieved from http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20030825.html
  2. ^ 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

See also external links for usability.

Online books