Website usability. What is it?

The actual term website usability sounds quite simple. You may even think that you understand exactly what it is and how to use the web. However, that’s not that easy. Website usability is not just about the way to use the web. It’s the layout, construction, structure and navigation of your site. Now, it doesn’t sound that simple, does it?

Ok, let’s compare a website to a store. Imagine that you walk into a shop and look for a new soccer-ball. This is the first time when you’ve actually been to this particular shop. What you need to do first is to find the section with the sport goods. The shop is large. And because it’s got many many shelves, it’s difficult to see the remaining goods behind the scenes.

Sometimes, the stores have got the guide signs or a map which helps customers to travel along the aisles. Without those signs you would be forced to wander around the store for ages trying to find some bits and pieces. You may be guided by the previous experience or intuition.

That’s exactly how the website works. You don’t have any managers to ask for help. All you have are the signs which facilitate the navigation process. That’s the job of a web designer to give you a sense of where you are and where you need to go.

The easier the site to use is, the more chances it’s got to profit. Think of your website as about the store. Is it easy to find a particular section on it? Has it got any sitemap where the customers could get the directions? Can the visitors come back to the previous page without clicking the button “back”? When the site is difficult to navigate, people get frustrated and browse further on the web.

To cut a long story short, it’s website usability that makes the site understandable for the visitors, navigable and intuitive. That’s all part and parcel of marketing, believe it or not. It’s a part of your business image and presentation. That is why website usability is so important for a successful website, especially when you’ve got thousands of competitors trying to drag you down online. Stand out from your competitors!

Related posts:

• Why is usability important for a website?
• Design tips: website usability checklist
• What’s more important: usability or design?
• Web usability: the basics
• Make your navigation visible on the website