Even if you have the most valuable information and the best products and/or services, if your website is not accessible or used by visitors, it will not be visible to them. This is why ease of use, or web usability, is so important.
Web usability, in particular, refers to the ease with which a digital interface can be used and the ways to improve this ease.
- It is easy to learn how to use the platforms.
- It takes efficiency to complete tasks on the site.
- Capability to recall how to use the site.
- There are many errors.
- The satisfaction that comes from using the site.
Users are likely to abandon a site that is confusing because there are so many options. Users will abandon a site that is not easy to use or has poor content.
A site that isn’t very user-friendly will also negatively impact the company’s image on digital channels. Low usability also affects the visibility of content in search results, as this includes Google positioning factors.
The importance of usability factors
Many factors can affect web usability. They have different effects on strategy and user experience. These are the main ones:
Accessibility
Not everyone has the same ability to access websites. This must be taken into account in both design and content.
To assist companies in improving web accessibility, the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), was created by the W3C. It is responsible for creating international standards for the web. And what does Ada compliant mean for websites?
Technical operation
A website must not contain technical errors to be simple to use. Each function must be possible to perform without any problems.
If there are issues, the platform should provide the appropriate information. The platform’s functions and contents must be compatible with different screen sizes, technologies, and devices.
The quality and utility of the contents
Users usually visit a website to find specific information. This means that the content must be able to fulfill the user’s expectations. So how much duplicate content is acceptable?
These contents should be simple to understand and assist users in completing tasks. In e-commerce, for example, you need to provide information about the products and how to purchase them step by step.
Information Architecture
The homepage must explain what the website has to offer. The menus should provide a clear overview of the contents and functions offered.
Users should be able to find what they need quickly and be able to move easily from one page to the next. It is common to count the number of clicks required to reach a page to determine its ease of use.
Three clicks should be the minimum time it takes for a user to find content.
A website that is easy to use and understands how to work in a competitive market like the internet is crucial. A website that is difficult to use could cost you all your efforts in creating quality content and providing excellent products and services.
