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One of the most important things a website must have is ease of use.
Usability refers to the ease with which users can learn and use a website or web application to achieve their goals. A website with good usability is easy to navigate, intuitive and efficient, making it a pleasant and enjoyable experience for the user.
There are several reasons why usability is so important for websites. Firstly, it can increase user satisfaction and loyalty. If users find a website easy to use, they are more likely to return to it and recommend it to others. On the other hand, if a website is difficult to use, users are likely to become frustrated and even abandon it altogether.
Secondly, usability can increase the effectiveness of the website. A website with good usability allows users to quickly and easily find the information or resources they are looking for, which can help them achieve their goals more effectively. This is particularly important for websites that offer important services, such as online banking or health information, as users need to be able to access these services quickly and reliably.
Third, usability can improve the user’s perception of the company or organisation. A website with good usability can convey a sense of professionalism and competence, as it shows that the company or organisation has worked hard to provide users with a high-quality experience. On the other hand, a poorly designed website can give the impression that the company or organisation is unprofessional or careless.
Fourthly, a clear and intuitive navigation system can help improve a website’s search engine optimisation (SEO). SEO refers to the process of improving a website’s position in search engine results pages (SERPs). When a website has a clear and intuitive navigation system, it is easier for search engines to crawl and index the website, which can help improve its position in the SERP. This is important because a better ranking in the SERPs can lead to more traffic and potential customers for the website.
So, what are some specific things a website should have to be usable?
A clear and intuitive navigation system:
The navigation system should be easy to understand and use, allowing users to quickly and easily find the information or resources they are looking for. The navigation system should be consistent throughout the website, with clear and descriptive labels for different sections or pages.
A clear and concise navigation menu:
The navigation menu should be prominently displayed on the website and should include links to the main sections or pages of the website.
Drop-down menus:
Drop-down menus can be used to organize links in the navigation menu into categories or subcategories. This can help reduce clutter in the navigation menu and make it easier for users to find what they are looking for.
Breadcrumb trails:
Breadcrumb trails are a type of navigation aid that shows the user’s location within the website hierarchy. They usually consist of a series of links separated by arrow symbols or other delimiters and allow the user to easily navigate back to higher levels of the hierarchy.
Search function:
A search function allows users to search the website by certain keywords or phrases. This can be particularly useful for websites with a large amount of content or for users who are looking for specific information.
Links to related content:
Links to related content can be included on individual pages or sections of the website and can help users discover additional resources or information that may be of interest to them.
Footer links:
Footer links are links that are included in the footer of the website, which is usually at the bottom of the page. Footer links may include links to important pages or sections of the website, as well as links to external resources or partners.
A clear and concise presentation:
The layout of the website should be clean and clutter-free, with plenty of white space and a clear hierarchy of information. This makes it easier for users to scan and read the content and helps them focus on the most important information.
Easy-to-read text:
Text on the website should be easy to read, with a clear and legible font, an appropriate font size and sufficient line spacing. Text should also be written in plain language, using familiar terms and avoiding jargon.
Adaptability to mobile devices:
Given the increasing use of smartphones and tablets to access the internet, it is important that websites are designed to be compatible with mobile devices. This means they should be easy to read and navigate on smaller screens, with a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes and resolutions.
Accessibility:
As mentioned above, accessibility is the design of websites, products and services in a way that allows them to be used by people with disabilities. Making websites accessible not only helps disabled people use them, but also improves usability for all users.
Error prevention and recovery:
A website should be designed to minimise the chances of errors occurring and provide users with clear and helpful error messages when they do occur. This can help prevent frustration and improve the user experience.
