Building websites with usability in mind

Whether you are a multi-national corporation or an individual with dreams of having a popular fan website about your favorite actor, you have undoubtedly invested a good percentage of your money and time into your website.

Although the assumption has long been that a good-looking website and some good marketing is enough, that really only takes care of half of the equation: getting people to your website. Once users are there, will they flop around like fish out of water or swim smoothly through your site and find exactly what they need? For this you need to build a website with good usability.

Usability entails five factors:

• Ease of learning
• Efficiency of use
• Memorability
• Error frequency and severity
• Subjective satisfaction

Usereffect.com provides a 25-point website usability checklist. It is worth a read, and if your financial budget permits, it is a good idea to hire a usability expert to make your website a success.