usability

=What is Usability?=

Usability is ensuring that a website is usable. Users should be able to navigate through your page, find the exact information they need and not be frustrated or confused. A webpage should be designed with ease of use in mind. However, usability testing can ensure a site meets its users needs after the webpage has been created.

According to [|usability.gov] there are a variety of factors that determines usability. They include: Error frequency and severity** - The frequency of errors the user encounters
 * Ease of learning** - How simple is it to learn?
 * Efficiency of use** - How quickly can an experienced user find information?
 * Memorability** - Can a user come back and remember how to find what they need**?
 * Subjective satisfaction** - Does the user like the site?

According to [|this blog] "Graphic design plays a significant role in the perception of trust of a website." Usability and aesthetics need to be used together to add to the experience of using a website.

__Some Usability issues to consider in design__
There are [|many usability issues] to be aware of when designing webpages.

The most important consideration is the behavior of users. According to [|30 Usability Issues to be aware of] users stop using a site if they cannot find the information they need within three clicks. Also, if something takes more than 2 seconds to change, the user will be frustrated.

Users, also according to the site, tend to prefer layouts that match the style they are most familiar with. There is also the phenomena known as "banner blindness," according to [|Jakob Nielson], where users do not see anything that resembles an advertising banner.

The above image comes from eye-tracking studies. The red area is the one most viewed by users. The blue is the least. The green boxes indicating banner ads were drawn after the fact. [|(Nielson)]

__[|Michael L. Bernard]__ provides some tips on designing an aesthetic interface that follows usability principles:


 * 1) Keep the interface simple -** Less should be more. Important objects should stand out
 * 2) Make action-objects visible -** buttons, links and other action objects should be obvious
 * 3) Balance and unify the interface -** balance and unify design. Bernard suggests using the "[|Golden ratio]" in design.
 * 4) Be aware of** [|Fitt's Law] - this states that the farther away something is, the longer it will take to reach it. In web design this applies to things like buttons in navigation.


 * __Helpful Links__**

[|Jakob Nielson's website on Usability] [|Criteria for optimal web design (designing for usability)] [|Usability Views - Articles about Usability]