Checking Usability

• Test your design both before implementing and during implementation
• Choose and recruit subjects that match your intended audience
• Have them try out your site in a "real" context, without handholding
• Watch especially for people who have trouble with:
  • content problems -- can your subjects figure out your message?
  • presentation problems -- do they like what they see?
  • differences between site and user vocabulary
  • navigation (links not followed, links followed incorrectly, etc.)
• Keep a record of what your subjects do. Ask them (afterwards!) what they thought of the design, and keep a record of that too.

Exercise: find a partner in the class, and ask your partner to visit your home page. Record behavior and reactions. Then discuss possible changes with him/her.

Up