Web Site Design Denver Tips and Tricks
Site Usability Pitfalls
Avoid these common site usability mistakes!
In a recent PRACTICAL ecommerce article "10 Tips to Improve a Site's Usability" (Issue 18, December 2006, p. 8), Rachel Coleman identified 10 common pitfalls that hinder site usability.
1. Intensive graphics resulting in slow page loads - online users will not wait
2. Lack of clear and simple content - headings, link text, bold text, bulleted lists, etc.
3. Familiar, consistent page structure - online visitors are used to online conventions such as an "About Us" page with company information; navigation should appear on the same portion of each page of your site.
4. Don't skimp on shopping cart information and functionality - online users want to know all costs, options and terms before they submit an order
5. Make it easy for online visitors to contact you and respond quickly - address, telephone, email contact all add credibility to your site
6. Avoid broken links - check your site often for missing pages
7. Focus on the needs of your customers - ask friends and relatives to assess the order process or include a simple survey on the site
8. Break up the checkout process into small, practical pieces - compare your order process to known, online success stories like Amazon.
9. Let users know where they are in the order process - i.e., "Step 3 of 4"
10. Don't just thank your customer for the order - provide details like order number, contact phone number, estimated delivery time, etc.
How does your site stack up? If you suffer from any of these common pitfalls, perhaps it's time to enhance your online experience?
For a free assessment of your site's usability, contact EBIZ Machine.
