What is Web Usability?

[LazyJim]

Web Usability refers primarily to how easy a web site is to use.

So don’t use this forum for problems with your computer, put those in the Forum Lobby or find a "Problems & Solutions" forum!

Originally Posted by http://www.its.monash.edu.au/web/slideshows/usability_testing/slide1-0.html

Usability is the measure of the quality of the user's experience when interacting with a web site.

A usable web site is one that enables users to complete tasks quickly, easily, and pleasantly.

Jakob Nielsen suggests that there are five aspects of usability:

1. ease of learning: the interface needs to allow users who have never seen it before to learn to use it quickly to succeed in accomplishing basic tasks
2. efficiency of use: the interface needs to be designed to allow rapid accomplishment of tasks for more experienced users
3. memorability: casual users of the site are assisted by an interface design that they can remember how to use
4. error frequency and severity: the interface should be designed to minimise the number and severity of errors, and allow for quick error recovery
5. subjective satisfaction: the experience of using a web interface should be a pleasant one