Site Construction 2:
Usability

Basic-level Usability:

• The website works (on all platforms)
• The multimedia can be downloaded
• The code is quick and functional
• Mid-level usability (overlaps with functionality)
• The website is logical and obvious to viewers
• High-level usability
  
• The website is accessible to everyone (ADA compliant)
  
• The website works with/without graphics, CSS, etc.

A good website should work right?
Problem: Browsers display differently
Answer: What works in IE may not work in FireFox

Usability Guidelines

1. Design your site for your audience’s needs
2. The site’s purpose should be obvious in 5 sec.
3. The visuals should help communicate the message
4. Avoid design elements that get in the way, like Flash splash pages, animations, too much text or too many pictures
5. Avoid “Mystery Meat Navigation”
6. Make sure the text is legible
7. Direct the viewers’ attention to the useful bits
8. Control their attention; do not clutter the page

Navigation

1. Navigation must be simple and consistent
2. Give viewers plenty of hints
3. Make it easy for them to navigate your site
4. Common mistakes:
* Different types of navigation on same site
* Link to the current page on the current page
* Poorly worded link names
* No link back to the home page
* Confusing links to the home page

Accessibility

1. The website is accessible to everyone (ADA compliant)
2. It works with/without graphics
3. It works with/without CSS
4. It works with/without JavaScript
5. Etc.