Website Usability Checklist
By Tom Daly
Account Executive
Getting visitors to your website is not sufficient in itself. In order for you to achieve your online business objectives it is necessary that the visitor completes some critical task on your website, e.g. makes a purchase. There is no point getting visitors to your website if they cannot understand or use your site and complete the critical task. Below are some tips to help you build a website that keeps you and your visitors happy.
1. Keep the Navigation System Simple - Users should know where they are and where they can go next on a website at all times. Keep the navigation system consistent throughout your entire site and use clear, easy to understand links. Every page on your website should include a visible link to your home page and a logo that links to your homepage. Include an easy to find search box and sitemap so users can quickly find any information on your website that they need.
2. Keep Your Content Clear and Simple - A website might look great but it is content that keeps visitors on a website. Keep the colours of your website clear so that all content can be viewed easily. Web users frequently scan content so emphasize important points with bullet points, header tags, bold type, italics and lists.
3. Create a Custom Error Page – Custom 404 error pages are pages that a user arrives on should they follow a broken link or incorrectly type a URL on your website. You should design this page with as much useful links as possible so that users will find their way around your website and remain on your site. Keep the design of your custom error page in line with the rest of your site and don’t follow this example - http://www.google.ie/nono.
4. Test Your Website – Website usability means designing for web users and not for yourself or your client. Usability testing looks at the experiences of the average web user and gathers their feedback. Typically, usability testing delivers insights to the website owner that radically effect the way the website is developed and used. Usability testing asks questions such as
5. Check Out Google's Website Tools - Google Analytics and Google Website Optimizer are two free tools that give you an insight into what is happening when someone visits your website. Google Analytics gives you information on bounce rates, popular content and conversions. Website Optimizer helps you increase onsite conversions by testing different combinations of content such as text and images.
1. Keep the Navigation System Simple - Users should know where they are and where they can go next on a website at all times. Keep the navigation system consistent throughout your entire site and use clear, easy to understand links. Every page on your website should include a visible link to your home page and a logo that links to your homepage. Include an easy to find search box and sitemap so users can quickly find any information on your website that they need.
2. Keep Your Content Clear and Simple - A website might look great but it is content that keeps visitors on a website. Keep the colours of your website clear so that all content can be viewed easily. Web users frequently scan content so emphasize important points with bullet points, header tags, bold type, italics and lists.
3. Create a Custom Error Page – Custom 404 error pages are pages that a user arrives on should they follow a broken link or incorrectly type a URL on your website. You should design this page with as much useful links as possible so that users will find their way around your website and remain on your site. Keep the design of your custom error page in line with the rest of your site and don’t follow this example - http://www.google.ie/nono.
4. Test Your Website – Website usability means designing for web users and not for yourself or your client. Usability testing looks at the experiences of the average web user and gathers their feedback. Typically, usability testing delivers insights to the website owner that radically effect the way the website is developed and used. Usability testing asks questions such as
- Do my visitors like my site?
- Do they like the choice of design and colour?
- Do they find the content interesting?
- Do you find it slow to load?
- Do they understand its purpose?
- Can they navigate easily around the website?
- Will they return?
5. Check Out Google's Website Tools - Google Analytics and Google Website Optimizer are two free tools that give you an insight into what is happening when someone visits your website. Google Analytics gives you information on bounce rates, popular content and conversions. Website Optimizer helps you increase onsite conversions by testing different combinations of content such as text and images.
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