Stoy Solutions blog

This is the first of a series of articles where we’ll look at website (and web software) usability as part of the more general concept of “quality”.

More and more companies are offering what they call “usability assessment” of websites and software.

What is usability?

Usability entails the general ease of use of all site components and features. Web usability is the general ease of use of all web site components.

A frequently used definition of usability (ISO 9241-11) covers ‘effectiveness’ (how easy different tasks are completed on the web site), ‘efficiency’ (how much effort it takes to complete a task) and ‘satisfaction’ (all positive attitudes toward the product and freedom from discomfort).

Others prefer to assess usability of the basis of how comfortable, intuitive, consistent and trustworthy experience it creates.

Often, for software applications usability components such as learnability (how easy is the system to learn), memorability (If someone returns to the system, how easily can they remember how to use it?), errors (how often errors are provoked) and satisfaction (Do people like using it) are used.

There are several usability-related methods, and procedures that require careful consideration when designing and developing Web site (some useful usability guideline could be found here). Each of these techniques has its own benefits and could be used in relation to the particular project.

Although there is no common quality standard, every company should decide on its own which usability method to use. No matter what technique is used, usability should be an integrated as part of website (software) development.

Why the incorporation of usability techniques is important to your website?

-    Will lower the development time and will reduce the development costs due to fewer usability related changes after the project launch

-    Will increase the number of retained customers

-    Will give you a competitive advantage over websites that are more difficult to use

Applying usability techniques during the development process saves you money, increases the product quality, number of the loyal customers, reduces the production time and gives you competitive advantage.

Usability techniques could be used in the early stages of website and software development using sketches, wire frames and prototypes and that will ensure that problems are seen and dealt with on time, before they are built into a design. At Stoy Solutions, we like using OmniGraffle. The same usability techniques could be used for evaluation of existing websites as a first step to redesign.

Designers and developers should consider a full range of user-interface issues, and work to create a Web site that enables the best and the easiest possible user performance.

Measuring usability could be made on the basis of comparison with an alternative design or a competitor’s website which will help visualising a more complete picture and better understanding of design issues.

next post comming soon…