All Topics > Internet > Site Design/Usability > Inside the Mind Of A Usability Expert >

Inside the Mind Of A Usability Expert Maryland

While some usability experts will tell you to link only to page related to the page a user is visiting...

Local Companies

Gkrew Productions
301.847.7415
2629 Antler Court
Silver Spring , MD

Mirame Interactive
301-663-5672
467 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD

Priority Partners
410-685-7200 x203
Baltimore, MD

louworks design & illustration
301-593-8253
10704 Eastwood Ave
Silver Spring, MD

Carousel30
240 631 1945
10343 Battleridge Place
Montgomery Village, MD

Specialized Computer Associates
410-581-9725
12495 Greenspring Avenue
Owings Mills, MD

Sinva Tech
240-291-1841
P.O. Box 3603
Frederick, MD

Net Solutions, LLC
410 876 3956
pO Box 163
Finksburg, MD

Norwood Design Group
410-268-6694
P.O. box 69
Butler, MD

Craftix Technical Solutions
410-788-5651
833 Hilltop Road
Baltimore, MD

Inside the Mind Of A Usability Expert

provided by:

With as many definitions of website usability as there are usability experts, you would figure that somewhere along the line this important aspect of Web design and development would have revealed a formal, practical standard by which site owners can abide (or in the least a basic definition to understand). Unfortunately, usability is still misunderstood by many site owners, designers and Web developers and very often attempts to make a site more usable results in making matters worse for end-users.

In order to keep Internet users at your website longer, WSM has outlined some general usability issues and their respective solutions.

Design Consistency: There are few things as frustrating to end-users as inconsistent design. While unique landing pages or home pages are perfectly acceptable in the minds of most users, the remainder of a website should have the same look and feel. One way to achieve this is through the use of cascading style sheets (CSS) which enable designers to formalize font sizes and styles across an entire website.

Site Navigation: Site navigation is an integral part of a highly usable website. While some usability experts will tell you to link only to page related to the page a user is visiting, others recommend grouping related navigation in clusters and making all sections immediately available. Cluster grouping (most ideal for ecommerce sites) provides users one click access to every section of a site and the pages within those sections which receive the most traffic from users. This type of link grouping is easily integrated into existing designs using server side includes (SSI).

Search Functionality: Providing end-users with the ability to effectively search for individual pages containing information on products or services should be considered a usability priority. When search boxes or available links are easily accessible, visitors and current customers alike will use the search function to locate information you may not make immediately accessible through site navigation such as archived materials. Higher end on-site search tools also enable site owners to see what users are searching for.

Instant Survey: Sitemap Usability
Do sitemaps make a difference in effective site design and usability?

Read full article at websitemagazine.com

Featured Local Company

Unreal Concepts

443.799.1014
2415 Sylvale Road
Baltimore, MD
http://www.unrealconcepts.com

Offering unreal prices on even more unreal web design concepts and design.

Read more about Inside the Mind Of A Usability Expert

- Software In Review: WebAssist eCart Maryland

ECart makes Website Payments Pro's point-and-click easy to implement and supplements eCart's long-standing support of PayPal's Website Payments Standard - together providing the complete PayPal shopping cart solution to support the four million Dreamweaver users...

- Belkin N Wireless Router F5D8233-4 v3 Maryland
- Landing Page Optimization - Guessing vs. Testing Maryland
- Landing Pages: SEO vs. SEM Maryland
- 10 Ways to Shorten the Distance and Increase Conversion Maryland
- The Mobile Web & Beyond Maryland
- The Seven Deadly Sins of Landing Page Usability Maryland
- Skinning Cats: Avoiding Javascript Dynamic Navigation Maryland
- CSS Design - Fixed, Fluid or Elastic Design Maryland
- Avira Premium Security Suite Maryland

Regional Articles

- Software In Review: WebAssist eCart Maryland

Related Local Events

ABA Marketing Conference
Dates: 9/14/2008 - 9/16/2008
Location: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel
Baltimore MD
View Details

Mini Golf Madness
Dates: 6/27/2008 - 6/27/2008
Location: Mitchells Golf
Reisterstown MD
View Details

Interactive Essentials:Search Engine Marketing
Dates: 6/26/2008 - 6/26/2008
Location: Congruent Media
Baltimore MD
View Details

2008 AdClub of Metropolitan Washington Golf Outing
Dates: 6/20/2008 - 6/20/2008
Location: Worthington Manor Golf Club
Urbana MD
View Details

The Sign Business & Digital Graphics Printwear & Awards & Custon Gift Show
Dates: 6/19/2008 - 6/21/2008
Location: Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore MD
View Details

Rate Article

Save to My Articles

Articles Insider

Topics:

Advertising	Financial Services	Nightlife
Business Services	Franchise	Online Database
Career	Health	Real Estate Resources
Cars	Holidays	Software
Computer Hardware	Home Appliances	Technology
Construction	Home Electronics	Telecommunications
Education	Home Services	Trade Shows
Entertainment	Internet	Travel
Family	Legal	Weddings
Fashion	Miscellaneous	World History

Advertising	Family	Home Services	Software
Business Services	Fashion	Internet	Technology
Career	Financial Services	Legal	Telecommunications
Cars	Franchise	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Computer Hardware	Health	Nightlife	Travel
Construction	Holidays	Online Database	Weddings
Education	Home Appliances	Real Estate Resources	World History
Entertainment	Home Electronics

Searching...

Inside the Mind Of A Usability Expert Maryland

Local Companies

Inside the Mind Of A Usability Expert

Featured Local Company