Web Site Usability

Wide usage of web sites and the Internet as a means of obtaining information or doing business makes "usability" an important consideration in web design. "Usability" is best illustrated when: 1) the site visitor always know when he/she is on the site and is able to access different levels of the site without having to rely on the "back button" 2) site navigation should be obvious from various text/graphic links 3) every page has a link back to the home page 4) there is consistent appearance of fonts, colors and positioning of core elements throughout the site 5) splash screens are forgotten, they are very rarely useful to your visitor 6) colorblind visitors can use the site. Some designs are rendered useless to 1 in 12 people who are color blind. Test your site colors at http://www.Vischeck.com to see how it looks to a person with color blindness.

Other "usability" factors: 1) provide an HTML version of Flash sites 2) avoid use of frames 3) minimum screen resolution for your design, make sure it fits into 770 pixel width The suggested choice of colors should be limited to 3 to 4 individual colors and accents. The purpose of a web site should determine its color selection and they should match existing company colors in the logo or company letterheads.

Font size should be 12 pixels or +1 or +2 from the base default font selected for the site. The minimum size of a font that can be read is 9 pixels Finally, continue to ask your visitors about their experience using the web site. Is the navigation system clear? Are the graphics modest? Do they like the colors? Was the web site easy to use? And, finally, how can it be improved?