Design Skills

Web Usability




1. What is Web Usability?

Web usability refers to how easily and effectively users can navigate, interact with, and achieve their goals on a website. A usable website ensures visitors find what they need quickly, perform desired actions easily, and have an enjoyable experience.

2. Basics of Web Usability

1. Key Principles of Usability (Jakob Nielsen's 5 Components):

  1. Learnability: How easy is it for users to perform basic tasks on their first visit?
  2. Efficiency: How quickly can users complete tasks once familiar with the interface?
  3. Memorability: Is the interface intuitive enough for returning users to re-navigate effortlessly?
  4. Error Prevention: Are errors minimized, and are recovery options provided?
  5. Satisfaction: Does the website provide a pleasant experience?

2. Core Usability Elements:

  • Navigation: Simple, intuitive menus with clear labels.
  • Content: Readable, scannable, and relevant information.
  • Performance: Fast-loading pages and responsive designs.
  • Accessibility: Usable for people with disabilities (e.g., screen readers, keyboard navigation).

3. Web Usability Formulas and Principles

1. Fitts's Law (Ease of Interaction):

[
T = a + b \log_2 \left( \frac{D}{W} + 1 \right)
]
Where:
- (T): Time to target.
- (D): Distance to the target (e.g., button).
- (W): Width of the target.

Principle: Larger, closer buttons are easier to click.
Application: Make CTAs (e.g., "Buy Now") big and prominent.

2. Hick’s Law (Decision Simplicity):

[
{Decision Time} \propto \log_2(N)
]
Where (N) is the number of choices.

Principle: Too many options overwhelm users, slowing decision-making.
Application: Simplify navigation menus and filter options.

3. Rule of Thirds (Visual Balance):

Divide the screen into a 3x3 grid. Place critical elements (e.g., CTAs, headlines) along gridlines or intersections.

4. Contrast Ratio (Accessibility):

[
{Contrast Ratio} = \frac{L1 + 0.05}{L2 + 0.05}
]
Where (L1) and (L2) are luminance values of text and background.
Standard: Minimum 4.5:1 for small text, 3:1 for large text.

Application: Ensure text is readable on all backgrounds using tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker.

5. 3-Click Rule:

Users should find the information they need within 3 clicks or fewer.
Application: Optimize menus and add breadcrumbs for quick navigation.

4. Examples of Web Usability

Example 1: E-Commerce Website

  • Problem: High cart abandonment rates.
  • Solution:
  • Simplify the checkout process to 1–2 steps.
  • Add a progress bar (e.g., "Step 1: Shipping Info").
  • Ensure "Add to Cart" buttons are large and easy to spot.

Example 2: Content Website (Blog)

  • Problem: High bounce rate.
  • Solution:
  • Use clear headlines and subheadings for scannability.
  • Provide internal links to related articles.
  • Optimize page loading speed (target under 3 seconds).

Example 3: SaaS Dashboard

  • Problem: Users struggle to find critical features.
  • Solution:
  • Use tooltips and onboarding guides to introduce features.
  • Organize options into tabs or collapsible sections.
  • Include a search bar for quick access to features.

5. Web Usability Testing Techniques

1. Usability Testing:

Observe real users completing tasks on your website.
- Tools: Maze, Lookback, UserTesting.

2. Heatmaps and Click Maps:

Track where users click, scroll, or hover.
- Tools: Hotjar, Crazy Egg.

3. A/B Testing:

Test two design variations to see which performs better.
- Example: Compare two CTA button placements.
- Tools: Optimizely, Google Optimize.

4. Session Recordings:

Replay user sessions to understand how they navigate your site.
- Tools: FullStory, Hotjar.

6. Situations for Improving Web Usability

Scenario 1: Improving Navigation

  • Problem: Users can't find specific pages.
  • Solution:
  • Use clear menu labels (e.g., "Shop" instead of "Explore").
  • Add a site-wide search bar with auto-suggestions.
  • Include breadcrumbs on subpages.

Scenario 2: Optimizing Mobile Usability

  • Problem: High mobile bounce rate.
  • Solution:
  • Use responsive designs that adapt to smaller screens.
  • Increase touch target sizes (minimum 44px).
  • Use collapsible menus for simpler navigation.

Scenario 3: Reducing Page Load Time

  • Problem: Users leave before the page loads.
  • Solution:
  • Compress images using tools like TinyPNG.
  • Minify CSS and JavaScript files.
  • Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to deliver content faster.

7. Best Practices for Web Usability

  1. Keep It Simple: Avoid unnecessary elements that clutter the interface.
  2. Prioritize Speed: Target page load times under 2–3 seconds.
  3. Be Consistent: Use uniform styles for buttons, fonts, and navigation.
  4. Provide Feedback: Show progress indicators for actions (e.g., loading spinners).
  5. Focus on Accessibility: Use ARIA labels, alt text for images, and ensure keyboard navigation.
  6. Optimize for Mobile: Test designs across different devices and screen sizes.

8. Tools to Evaluate Web Usability

1. Google Lighthouse:

  • Purpose: Audit page speed, accessibility, SEO, and usability.

2. Hotjar:

  • Purpose: Analyze heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback.

3. WebAIM Contrast Checker:

  • Purpose: Check text-background contrast for accessibility.

4. Crazy Egg:

  • Purpose: Understand where users click and how they scroll.

5. GTmetrix:

  • Purpose: Test page speed and performance metrics.

9. Common Web Usability Issues and Fixes

Issue 1: Unreadable Text

  • Fix: Use high-contrast colors and legible font sizes (16px minimum).

Issue 2: Broken Links

  • Fix: Regularly audit links using tools like Broken Link Checker.

Issue 3: Overloaded Navigation Menus

  • Fix: Limit menus to 5–7 items and use dropdowns for subcategories.

Issue 4: Non-Responsive Design

  • Fix: Use a responsive framework like Bootstrap or CSS media queries.
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