Almost everybody has ever heard of usability, but not everybody knows what it really is or why it is important for web sites.

WHAT IS WEB USABILITY?

First of all, usability is not exclusive to the web. It refers to the relationship between tools and their users, so it is applicable to practically any field.

Usability is usually defined as the measure of the ease with which particular people can employ a particular tool. Within the web development process, usability is the set of techniques used during the design of the project in order to improve the ease of use of the web site to its visitors.

WHY IS WEB USABILITY IMPORTANT?

Web usability is based on two main principles:

• Visitors only see what they need: Internet users don't read in detail, they skim the web trying to find what they are really interested in. If they can't find what they are looking for, they will leave your site.

• Visitors are impatient: They want to access the relevant information as soon as possible. If they can't find what they are looking for quickly, they will leave your site.

Too many odds that your visitors will leave unless you take care of your web site's usability. Unusable web sites will harm your business in terms of: lost sales, support requirements, staff productivity...

WHAT DOES WEB USABILITY AFFECT?

Broadening the definition above, usability is intended to improve different aspects of your web site making it:

• Efficient: Allowing your visitors to find what they need.

• Easy to use: Allowing your visitors to find what they need effortlessly.

• Quick to use: Allowing your visitors to find what they need fast.

• Easy to learn: Allowing your visitors to understand the structure of your site.

WHAT MAKES A WEB SITE USABLE?

Usability is usually only noticed when it is missing, and the best way to measure it is by making different people test your web site and checking their level of satisfaction/frustration. Though there are still some rules you can follow in anticipation to make your site usable:

• Organize logically the information: Distribute naturally the different parts of information across the site, so the structure will be clear and understandable.

• Make your presentation consistent: Repeat contantly the same layout, so visitors will always know where the different elements of the page are.

• Remark the navigation elements: Highlight menus, links, options... so they will be clearly noticeable and accessible. Provide meaningful information on where the visitors are in the site and where they can go.