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Amazing new flash design tools
MOSAIC HAS COME A LONG WAY
From ancient times staining glass has challenged the abilities
and imaginations of the great alchemists. From East to West the
sheer beauty of stained glass won the hearts of Kings, emperors,
sultans and nobles....
How to Avoid the 12 Common Web Design Mistakes
How to Avoid the 12 Common Web Design Mistakes Copyright 2002 by Herman Drost Are people visiting your web site but not buying? This may be a sign and the time to do some redesign of your web site. Often you are so close to what you have created,...
Spice Up Your Web Site with JavaScript
JavaScript is a scripting language designed for use within a web page and/or on a web server. It is used to create special effects within a web page. Elements such as links, images and forms can be manipulated using this powerful technology. ...
Web Design: Integrating e-Commerce
For web developers who prioritize graphics and design work, reconciling the art of web development with building an e-commerce platform can be somewhat problematic. Design and programming are the foci - and these are the skills developers spend...
WHERE THE BIG BUCKS ARE
Commonly the price received for a product is broken down into parts. And selling price less overhead and costs is net profit. No matter how you choose to do the math, the profit on each sale made early in the month can be considered as a step toward...
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Why usability is important to you
Usability is the measure of the quality of a user's experience when interacting with a product or system - whether a web site, software application, mobile technology, or any user-operated device.
According to Usability Expert Jakob Nielsen: "On the Web, usability is a necessary condition for survival. If a web site is difficult to use, people leave. If the homepage fails to clearly state what a company offers and what users can do on the site, people leave. If users get lost on a web site, they leave. If a web site's information is hard to read or doesn't answer users' key questions, they leave. Note a pattern here? There's no such thing as a user reading a web site manual or otherwise spending much time trying to figure out an interface. There are plenty of other web sites available; leaving is the first line of defense when users encounter a difficulty."
More: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20030825.html
What is usability
Is your web site usable? There are several definitions for usability, but basically the following 4 characteristics can be considered usable:
* Quick and easy to learn;
* Efficient to use;
* Allows rapid recovery from errors;
* Easy to remember;
Does your product or web site have the above characteristics? Usability increases benefits for both parties: the User (potential customers) and the Provider (yourself).
Users benefits from usability
* Users are satisfied, not frustrated, with the product or web
site;
* They enjoy interacting with the web site or product;
* They achieve their goals effectively and efficiently;
* They cultivate confidence and trust in the product or web site.
If your users are satisfied, they will become loyal, and may even recommend your product or service to others.
Providers benefits from usability
As a provider, you may benefit from usability in many ways, including:
* Reduced development time and costs;
* Reduced support costs;
* Reduced user errors;
* Reduced training time and costs;
* Return on Investment.
Misconceptions about usability
Misconceptions about usability's expense," Jakob Nielsen says, "the time it involves, and its creative impact prevent companies from getting crucial user data, as does the erroneous belief that existing customer-feedback methods are a valid driver for interface design." More: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20030908.html
How can usability can save your company
After all, have you ever wished there was one place that contained a list of everything you need to know to make your web site user-friendly? If yes, have a look at this "User Interface Usability Checklist for Ecommerce Web sites" here: http://webnauts.net/user-interface-usability-checklist.html
About the Author
This article is written by John S. Britsios, Accessibility & SEO Consultant, Usability Specialist & Trainer, founder and owner of the Webnauts Net http://www.webnauts.net
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