Understanding Web Site Usability

A web site must address the basic needs and expectations of its users. At Parker Web, we take years of experience to narrow the broad field of Internet programming down to the basic components that most effectively interact with a user to generate the desired result.

Required reading at our design shop is Don't Make Me Think by web site usability expert Steve Krug. Steve takes a simpler is better approach to web design understanding fully that not all Internet users are Internet geeks (like us!)

The United States Government has already begun to issue guidelines for web site usability. At www.usability.gov, the US Department of Health and Human Services provides guidance and tools on how to make Web sites and other communication systems more usable and useful.

A few tips on usability as you are evaluating your own site:

At A Glance Rule - Can your user, at a glance, understand your intended message? This is something that can be reinforced with imagery, style or large letter content.
Easy Navigation - Can your user easily get through your site? Are there any deadends? Does navigation leave them hanging anywhere? If your page is long, is there a set of bottom of the page navigation links? Paying attention to how someone gets through your site is critical to usability.
Actionable Item - Is there a call to action for your specific objective? Usability not only means the ability for someone to use the site, but the ability for someone completely unfamiliar with your site to achieve the desire objectives.

Some Usability Expert Opinions

Web site usability is a fascinating subject to us Internet marketers. As simple as it seems, it is often an overlooked component of design but is fundamental to making sure your site converts. Here are some of the industry leaders discussing the topic.

Great Minds in Development: Steve Krug
from DevSource.com
The author of our preferred usability training guide Don't Make Me Think, Steve Krug speaks to the importance of small scale usability testing and provides some examples of how you can test your own site. See video

Great Minds in Development: Jakob Nielsen
from DevSource.com
Jakob Nielsen has been called the web usability guru by the New York Times and is the holder of 79 patents mostly concerning web usability. Jakob Nielsen touches on the challenges a developer faces in meeting user needs. See video