How important is usability when it comes to modern Web 2.0 Design?

Have you ever thought why your site is not that successful despite having nice information architecture, smooth navigation, interface design and cutting-edge flash web-site templates? The reason could be the “usability” element that might be missing in your web-site.

The long held belief that “Content is the King” is passé now. “Usability” has overtaken content to become the new ruler on the net.

Usability means the factors that make a site user-friendly and easy to explore for the visitors. The faster the visitors obtain the information they seek, the sooner they would take the necessary action such as buying a product or signing up for more information or services.

What exactly is usability?

If the visitor identifies himself with the benefits the net site has to offer, finds its products or services interesting, and gets curious about what more the site has to offer, they say it is ‘high on usability’.

1) Improves conversion rate

Usability plays a significant role in improving the total conversion rate making it a pleasure for the user to explore the site further without getting mixed up about where to go next. An increase in the number of visitors who turn into customers on your web-site indicates a nice ‘conversion rate’.

2) Increases traffic

Usability also helps in increasing traffic to your web-site. With efficient usage of elements such as simple language, clear text labels etc, it becomes not as hard for various search engines to index your web-site.

3) Saves time

Focus on the usability factor right during the initial development stages of a web-site. This will enable you to make necessary changes later quickly as the need arises without starting from scratch.

You can improve the usability of your web-site by following this checklist:

4) Factors that improve usability

In today’s hyper-competitive world, usability cannot be ignored at any cost. To make your web-site high on usability, hire a reputed web-site creating company which specializes in providing affordable web services. But before letting them start off on your project, do check carefully their previous work or portfolio to ensure that they do give priority to the usability aspect in creating web-sites.

- Keep the language as simple as possible
- Use clear ink for highlighting the labels
- Build an easy navigation structure for the site
- Make sure the site structure is lucid, clear and understandable
- Make the content objective
- Focus each web page on  seven theme or topic
- Provide clear click paths
- Mention contact details clearly on each and every web page
- Use semantic tags whenever possible
- Provide some personal information about the company on the “About Us” page
- Use ALT tags for all graphics,  navigation graphics
- Give prime importance to optimal legibility while selecting text and background color
- Use either plain or very subtle colors for background patterns
- Place the navigation in a consistent location on every web page
- Equip each functional page with an attractive and appealing “Call to Action” button or link

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