Usability 'key to web success'

Category: User Experience (UX)

July 6th 09, 12:06

Companies that have been successful in boosting their growth via the internet have managed to do so thanks to a focus on usability.

This is according to Bruce Russell of Computerworld, who explains that user-centred website design should place the needs of the web user at its heart and ensure that customers are easily able to find what they are looking for.

"Many sites present information the owners think is important, but that users of the site find unhelpful - as unhelpful as if it was written in a foreign language," he remarks.

Typically, websites that have been developed with usability in mind feature intuitive navigation, copy that has been written specifically for the internet, good accessibility for disabled web users and clearly visible access to online help, Mr Russell states.

According to web design expert Jakob Nielsen, user experience research studies can help to gauge the usability of a particular website.

Such studies can include eye-tracking research, benchmarking initiatives and email surveys, he says.

This news story was brought to you by Bluhalo, a leading UK digital agency.


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