Principles of Usability

In Web Design, usability is undoubtedly an integral aspect to a competent Web Site. Steps must be constantly taken by Web Designers to optimise the accessibility of their web sites, appealing to different platforms, operating systems and users of varying I.T skills. The desired outcome is a web design equally usable regardless of the operating system, or the users I.T skill set.

While for amateur Web Designers, usability is often considered in retrospect, an adept Web Designer will test web sites for usability in parallel to there creation. This ensures the web sites usability will be maximised to the highest possible level.

Some of the essential aspects in increasing Web Site Usability are:

Web Site Layout

It is not uncommon for Web Designers to crowd their sites, either with unnecessary plug-ins, or needless text and images. This is most likely to simply overbear the page, making it confusing and harder to navigate. Using the ‘less is more’ approach is essential to allow the Web Site to appear clear and concise, making the Web Site as usable and accessible as possible.

Simple Navigation

A vital component in a Web Sites usability is the sites navigation. The ideal navigation for a site should be logically laid out and easy to use, therefore allowing the user to effortlessly find whatever information they require.

Content

The way a Web Sites content is written also plays a major factor in how usable a Web Site is, in terms of accurately portraying the companies image, and getting across whatever points need to be made. To ensure coherent content on a Web Site, correct use of language, tone and structure must be implemented in a way that is clear to all. Major examples of poorly written content (apart from when strictly necessary), include use of jargon. Also careful considerations must be taken to the texts font, size, colour and position, as to best benefit the Web Sites layout.

Overall Synchronicity

Consistency within the Web Site is a simple but overlooked method of making the site not only easy to navigate, but also suiting the overall image and flow of the Web Site, giving the site a professional edge.

Article Written by Sam Logan, Senior Designer at SJL Web Design

This entry was posted on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 4:24 pm and is filed under Web Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.