Website usability is one of those things that most companies know is important but put on the back burner when comparing it with creativity and web design. The fact is that a lot of companies want their site to look so impressive and so unique that they leave out checking to see if a potential consumer can actually use it.
Matt Bailey of SiteLogic Marketing advises companies to always conduct a “Mom Test” to get a true usability answer. Have your mother test your site to see if she can navigate around it and take action. If she has problems, chances are that your users will also.
In the above video, Matt says:
“Online, people need to have a clear sense of purpose of where to go and what to do.”
Designers should build a site that looks nice, but they also need to be aware of their limitations on the Web. An online companies’ primary objective is for the user to be able to take action. They do not want the user to be distracted by an experimental design or even worse, prevented from taking action.
Another factor that could damage customer usability is when the website is designed from an organizational standpoint and not for your target market. As we all know, everyone has their own method of organization and the one you have chosen for your site might not match that of your target market.
In summary, think about your end user when you plan the design of your website. Don’t forget to conduct your “Mom Test” and make any changes necessary. Also given the current state of the economy, now is an excellent time to make your site better. It is inexpensive and the return will be substantial and fast.
iEntry 10th Anniversary
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Can you provide more information on this for the rest of us far-away Falcons fans?
I must say that you provide genuine, quality information. Thanks for this!
BTW, dpn’t you think your blog needs a better wordpress template?
As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you
LOL. I guess.
I believe website should not be created just for the heck of it. There has to be proper purpose for the time you are spending on website and sitting in front of computers. If a website has purpose and direction then definitely it would go places.
Thanks so much for this video as i do all of my own web design it was great to here this from matt.
Hi,
I am thankful to Matt for suggesting the “Mom Test”. It really does come down to that. Keep things simple and you should be fine. Happy New Year!
Best Wishes,
Shinil.
@shinils on Twitter - http://twitter.com/shinils