Website Usability

Web Usability

There are many websites that are ranked well in search engines, but they still do not convert the way that they should.  The usability level of the site is poor.

During the entire construction of your site the level of usability should be your priority.  Web Usability is one of the most important components in the success of any business (ecommerce or not). Web usability incorporates site layout, naming, copy, design, and functionality.

You should have one goal in mind: Eliminate all questions a visitor might have.

Your website should be obvious, self-evident, and self-explanatory. Many things should be understood and considered when constructing a simple, professional website.

3 Key Elements of Web Usability

Names – How you name the pages, links, buttons, etc. on your site will have an immediate positive effect on your visitors. For example, if someone wants to find the page displaying your contact information, they will look for a page labeled “Contact” or “Contact us”. Do you not name this page “How to reach us” or “Ways to contact us”. They seem pretty straightforward, but it requires just a few more fractions of a second to figure it out.

Links & Buttons – Make sure your links and buttons are recognizable for what they are. Your visitors should not have to hover over and click to find out they can click on it. Links are generally blue and underlined text. Buttons generally appear to “pop out” from the page and have drop shadows.

Search – A search bar, if done correctly, provides the easiest way for your visitors to find what they’re looking for. You should have a single text box that searches your entire site and displays results based on the keyword entered. You should never ask your customers for a category they want to search in. Additionally, you should always name your search button “search”. This is the most recognizable term; it’s just a little easier on the brain than “go” or “submit”.  Each of these elements work together to create near instantaneous recognition.

Using a site that doesn’t make us think about unimportant things seems effortless, whereas puzzling over things that don’t matter to us tends to sap our energy, enthusiasm, and time.