Web Design and Web Usability

Websites are primarily for humans and visitors who we must remember are also the potential customers and future clients with needs that they are trying to fulfill by getting into a website. It is the duty of every website owner to make his website a good experience for any online visitor. Therefore web designers must realize the need for incorporating the concept of usability in the design of websites. This concept of making the site useful has to be thought about right from the beginning of the site's production process. The philosophy is very simple. A useful site will mean better end user satisfaction, more business, and more revenue.

Thinking should be done on these lines before starting the design process.

* What are the objectives of the website?
* What is the user looking for?
* How is the competition?
* How to interview/survey the clients?

Over the years there are many lessons learnt by web designers. It is by now well known that certain types of web design can be very strenuous to the visitor and as a result he gets away from the site quickly. Websites with very bright colors and complicated navigation can never appeal to anyone.

The usability of a website can be evaluated. First a mock design has to be made and tests should be made using focus groups. The different features of the website design has to be seen from a critical point of view and one must find out how much it appeals to a user. The results should be used to create more mock ups and necessary changes have to be made before the process is repeated until total satisfaction is achieved.

Here are some general usability tips;

* Pages must load quickly
* Minimal work for the user
* Inform long download time
* Avoid forcing pop up windows
* Articles must have citations/ references
* User must know where he is on the site
* Avoid keyword stuffing in content
* Use easy terms on web page without taxing visitor memory
* Printing has to be an easy affair
* Provide linking to outside materials
* Use a common sequence / style through out site
* While having to wait, feedback must be provided

One can be sure that a nice and usable site that gives a good user experience will in itself tempt the online visitor to back again and again to the website.

Article source: click here