Usability

A usable site is an effective site. The site architecture, navigation, content and functionality have been designed to meet the needs of all users. Technical design faults make many websites hard to find and frustrating to use. Sites may also contain elements that violate basic usability principles.

An usability assessment of a website will identify serious technical problems that may be present and indicate how the user-focus of the site can be enhanced. A site assessment will review:

• Browser compatibility and site speed.
• Site navigation consistency and effectiveness.
• Page layout and content presentation.

User needs analysis

User needs analysis is part of the ongoing process of developing a site that will effectively meet the needs of prospective users. It aims to identify:

• Potential users of the site.
• What they likely to use the site for.
• How and if they will be able to achieve their goals.

Information Architecture

Large websites are complex information environments that are constantly growing as new pages and resources are developed. To be effective, they must accommodate a variety of information retrieval needs and techniques. Information Architecture is part of the process of defining a website and how it will work. It can help:

• Clarify the aims of the site and balance the needs of the organisation with those of site users.
• Identify how users will find information on the site and how this will be facilitated.
• Specify the content and functionality of the site.

Navigation Testing

The primary aim of this form of testing is to measure how well information is grouped on a site and the appropriateness of navigation labels. Navigation testing is a user-centred, task-based process for determining the primary (first level) navigation choices users make when attempting to obtain information from a site. Navigation testings is useful for validating assumptions about the overall site architecture.