Usability 101 Summary
This article begins with a simple definition of the word, "usability" as whether or not an interface is easy to use. Their definition defines easy use in five parts: learnablity, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction. Basically, according to this article, a website with high usability has a short learning curve, is effecient, is memorable, has no errors and satisfies the needs of the user.
The article claims that usability is important because without it people will leave a website. It stands to reason that if a person must struggle to use a website, they will look for another that meets their needs in a more simplistic manner. So then, how can one determine whether or not a website is truly usable?
There is a simple and straightforward way to determine whether a website is usable or not. This is to test by watching someone else try and use it.
I thought it very interesting that the article specifically mentioned that focus groups are not effective for testing websites. They pointed out that what someone says about their experience on a webpage and what someone actually DOES while surfing through a webpage, are totally different. Unless you actually watch they poke around inside it you cannot get a good idea of the problems and misconceptions that arise during their experience.
I also thought it was interesting that they so highly recommended testing for usability long before the final website had been made. This makes sense to me, and yet I had not thought of doing it before.
I plan on implementing the principles used in this website into my own web development by searching out people to get feedback from at an earlier stage than I previously have. I want my users to have a pleasant experience when they venture onto my page, and I by watching potential visitors use my web pages, I can ensure that occurs.
To read this article visit alertbox.
March 31, 2008 12:09 PM