Introduction to
Web Design

Usability

Information
Architecture

Confirm
Accessibility

Accessibility
Exercise

Search Engine
Optimisation

Prepare Web-site Content

Create, Maintain
& Validate a Site

Usability is a quality attributed to website interfaces to define how easy they are to use .

Usability has five main components;

1. Learnability, is the ability to find information and learn how to perform required tasks. This may involve locating specific information within a site and using inbuilt programs or interpreting charts and diagrams. Clear navigation that follows good information architecture, greatly contributes to the learnability of a site. For example, a user may need to calculate the interest rates for a personal loan and a calculator may be available for the calculation. The user should be able to accomplish the tasks with relative ease.

2. Efficiency refers to how quickly the required tasks can be preformed once the user has learned the design.

3. Memorability refers to the ability to regain proficiency after not using the site for a certain period.

4. Errors refer to the amount of errors a user may make as well errors inherent in the site.

5. Satisfaction defines how enjoyable it is to access the site

How usability is identified

The most efficient method of identifying usability is user testing. That is by observing another carry out representative tasks within the site. A person monitoring the user can see where they have difficulties with the user interface.
Testing can be carried out with a few different people rather than huge expensive studies. During the observation it is important not to help or influence the user and simply record what they do.

Benefits

All involved benefit from web usability. The user is satisfied with the easily acquired information and is not frustrated by difficult and error prone design. The proprietor of the site disseminates the information they wish to a maximum number of people and their prospective customers are not annoyed. The web developer enjoys a reputation for producing good user friendly sites.