Return to search

Web site usability

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A multitude of factors affects the experience of the user on a specific site. Slow
downloading, navigational difficulties and complex designs all play a role in destroying
what could be an enjoyable experience to the user.
Usability exists when the design of the system matches what the intended end users need
and want.
Most Web site designers agree that great design essentially has the user as its priority.
Companies tend to forget that the user's hand is on the mouse.
The most successful Web sites are those that not only respond to user feedback, but
actively seek it out. We have to realise that the cost of flipping to another Web site is so
low, it doesn't make any sense for people to go back to a site that failed them the first
time. Most Web sites fail miserably at their prime directive: usability.
The best way to run a user test is one-on-one, writes Fleming (1998:1). You don't need a
large quantity of users for the tests to be effective. The costs in user testing are often
exaggerated and there is no excuse for not performing some sort of user test on your Web
site.
When a page comes up Jakob Nielsen says, people look only one place, in the middle, at
the content. (Head, 1999:2) If a page does not appear relevant to the user's current goals,
then the user will ruthlessly click the Back button after as little as two to three seconds.
Users rarely look at logos, mission statements, slogans, or any other elements they
consider fluff.
Usability is practically guaranteed if you have a solid information architecture at the
outset. Make sure information is not more than two clicks away from the homepage.
(Radosevich, 1997:3)
According to the GVU7 survey, speed is the number one complaint of Web users (76,5
%). (Hamilton, 1997:1) Since users need web pages to load quickly, you should make
your image files small. Try to limit the size of individual images to 5k, and try to limit the total size of all the images on any single page to 20k. Generally, a user with a 28.8
modem should have a sense of the page content or be able to navigate off the page within
10 seconds of download. The rest of the page should load within the next 30 seconds.
Any site needs a good search feature since even the best navigation support will never be
enough. (Nielsen, 1996a: 1) A search function should be provided if the site has more than
100 pages. Even if you haven't created perfect navigation, at least be consistent.
(Berst, 1998: 1) The Back button is the lifeline of the Web user and the second-most used
navigation feature (after following hypertext links).
People rarely read web pages word by word - they scan pages to find the information they
want. Make the text scannable with bulleted lists, highlighted keywords, meaningful
headings, and short sections of text.
The essential purpose of graphics, especially animated graphics, is to set the tone and
communicate the company's personality in a unique and fun way. (Heath, 1997:1) / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Menigte faktore beïnvloed die gebruiker se ondervinding van 'n spesifieke Webblad.
Aflaai spoed, navigasie en komplekse bladontwerp kan almal 'n gebruiker se belewenis
van 'n Webblad verongeluk. Bruikbaarheid (Usability) bestaan wanneer die ontwerp van
die sisteem voldoen aan die behoeftes van die eindgebruiker.
Web ontwerpers het dit eens dat goeie ontwerp die gebruiker se behoeftes as prioriteit
sien. Maatskappye vergeet dikwels dat die gebruiker se hand die muis beheer.
Die mees suksesvolle Webblaaie is nie net die wat reageer op verbruiker terugvoer nie
maar dit selfs aanmoedig. Ons moet verstaan dat dit so maklik is om na 'n volgende
Webblad te spring dat dit nie sin maak om terug te keer na 'n Webblad wat jou eenkeer in
die steek gelaat het nie. Die meeste Webblaaie misluk tragies in hul poging tot
bruikbaarheid.
Die beste gebruikerstoets metode is een-tot-een, skryf Heming (1998: 1) Die toets lewer
betekenisvolle resultate selfs met enkele gebruikers.
Nielsen sê gebruikers stel deesdae net in inligting belang. Indien inligting irrelevant
voorkom sal die gebruiker nie skroom om die "Back" sleutel te gebruik nie. Gebruikers
kyk selde na logos, missie stellings en slagspreuke en beskou dit as onbenullighede.
Maak seker dat inligting nie meer as twee klikke vanaf die tuisblad is me.
(Radosevich, 1997:3)
Die GVU7 studie het bevestig dat aflaaispoed die gebruikers se grootste beswaar
is.(Hamilton, 1997: 1)
Enige Webblad benodig 'n goeie soek ("search") funksie veral as die Webwerf meer as
100 bladsye het.
Die "back" sleutel is die reddingslyn van die gebruiker en die tweede mees gebruikte
sleutel op navigasiestelsel.
Gebruikers lees selde woord vir woord wat voor hulle staan, maar skandeer eerder 'n
blad. Hou dus teks kort, met kort sinsnedes en kort kragtige begrippe.
Grafieke se hoofdoel is om Webblad atmosfeer op unieke wyse te skep.(Heath,1997:1)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/52610
Date03 1900
CreatorsDe Klerk, W. A.(Willem Abraham)
ContributorsWessels, F., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic & Management Sciences . Graduate School of Business.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format145 p.
RightsStellenbosch University

Page generated in 0.0026 seconds