Usability on the Web
Usable Web sites are sites that work for your readers. A usable Web site encourages repeat visits. Find out what makes a usable Web site, and how to improve your own site. Learn how to do usability tests and create sites that your readers want to return to.
usability
Definition of the term usability as it relates to Web design and development
Definition of the term usability as it relates to Web design and development
What is Graceful Degradation and Why Should Web Designers Care?
Creating a Web site with the most advanced features in Ajax, CSS, and XHTML can be a lot of fun. But the first time your page is viewed in IE 5 or a cell phone you end up with a page that is hideous at best, and often unusable. Your goal shouls be to write Web pages that degrade gracefully - they still work even on a cell phone or in older browsers.
Creating a Web site with the most advanced features in Ajax, CSS, and XHTML can be a lot of fun. But the first time your page is viewed in IE 5 or a cell phone you end up with a page that is hideous at best, and often unusable. Your goal shouls be to write Web pages that degrade gracefully - they still work even on a cell phone or in older browsers.
The Back Button - How People Use Web Sites
The back button is the most important button on a Web page, and it's not even part of the page itself, but the browser.
The back button is the most important button on a Web page, and it's not even part of the page itself, but the browser.
Link Names Should Match the Page They Link To - Links and Usability
When you click on a link, you want to know where you're going. If your link text doesn't match what's on the page the link goes to your reader can get confused and possibly lose trust in the Web site where they clicked.
When you click on a link, you want to know where you're going. If your link text doesn't match what's on the page the link goes to your reader can get confused and possibly lose trust in the Web site where they clicked.
Tabindex: Making Your Pages Accessible; Set Tabindex for Easier Navigation
Tabindex is a seldom used attribute that could make Web pages so much more accessible and usable if only it were used more frequently. Tabindex provides an order for the clickable elements on the page so that someone using a keyboard does not have to resort to the mouse to get to the more important links.
Tabindex is a seldom used attribute that could make Web pages so much more accessible and usable if only it were used more frequently. Tabindex provides an order for the clickable elements on the page so that someone using a keyboard does not have to resort to the mouse to get to the more important links.
Is Your Site Cool?
Many sites that rely on "cool" and innovative Web techniques are not usable by the readers. From your About.com Guide to HTML, Jennifer Kyrnin.
Many sites that rely on "cool" and innovative Web techniques are not usable by the readers. From your About.com Guide to HTML, Jennifer Kyrnin.
Usability for Small Business Websites - About Usability
If you're setting up a business Web site, you should think about these specifics for usability to help you sell your products. From the About Guide to Web Usability.
If you're setting up a business Web site, you should think about these specifics for usability to help you sell your products. From the About Guide to Web Usability.
Web Usability - About.com
About now has a Guide on Web usability. And there are a lot of resources and information on that site.
About now has a Guide on Web usability. And there are a lot of resources and information on that site.
Alertbox
You may have noticed that I've linked a lot of these articles around the site. Jakob Nielsen is an expert in usability, and how it pertains to the Web. These articles are a must read.
You may have noticed that I've linked a lot of these articles around the site. Jakob Nielsen is an expert in usability, and how it pertains to the Web. These articles are a must read.