Web usability
Encyclopedia
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
.
become available, this leads to the development of methodologies
for enhancing web-usability.
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.
Usability
Usability is the ease of use and learnability of a human-made object. The object of use can be a software application, website, book, tool, machine, process, or anything a human interacts with. A usability study may be conducted as a primary job function by a usability analyst or as a secondary job...
in those domains where web browsing can be considered as a general paradigm
Paradigm
The word paradigm has been used in science to describe distinct concepts. It comes from Greek "παράδειγμα" , "pattern, example, sample" from the verb "παραδείκνυμι" , "exhibit, represent, expose" and that from "παρά" , "beside, beyond" + "δείκνυμι" , "to show, to point out".The original Greek...
(or "metaphor") for constructing a GUI
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
.
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. 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:- Present the information to the user in a clear and concise way.
- To give the correct choices to the users, in a very obvious way.
- To remove any ambiguity regarding the consequences of an action e.g. clicking on delete/remove/purchase.
- Put the most important thing in the right place on a web page or a web application.
Methodology
As more results of usability researchResearch
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
become available, this leads to the development of methodologies
Methodology
Methodology is generally a guideline for solving a problem, with specificcomponents such as phases, tasks, methods, techniques and tools . It can be defined also as follows:...
for enhancing web-usability.
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
KISS principle
KISS is an acronym for the design principle Keep it simple, Stupid!. Other variations include "keep it simple and stupid", "keep it short and simple", "keep it simple sir", "keep it simple or be stupid" or "keep it simple and straightforward"...
, which had proven to be effective in focusing end-user attention.
See also
- Eye trackingEye trackingEye tracking is the process of measuring either the point of gaze or the motion of an eye relative to the head. An eye tracker is a device for measuring eye positions and eye movement. Eye trackers are used in research on the visual system, in psychology, in cognitive linguistics and in product...
, a fast and accurate usability tool - Multivariate testingMultivariate testingIn statistics, multivariate testing or multi-variable testing is a technique for testing hypotheses on complex multi-variable systems, especially used in testing market perceptions.-In internet marketing:...
, a statistical testing of user responses - Web navigationWeb navigation- A central theme in web design is the development of a web navigation interface that maximizes usability.- - - -See also:- Design pattern - - Efficiency- - Human–computer interaction- - Interaction technique- -...
External links
See also external links for usability.- 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
- The (Usable) Web Style Guide
- User In Your Face — A free, online book about user interface design, written in installments