Usability

What is usability?

The International Organization for Standardization defines usability as,

The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use.

Usability vs. accessibility: what's the difference?

It is important to remember that just because a site is accessible does not mean it is usable. 

Accessibility initiatives aim to make the Web accessible by removing the barriers that make it difficult or impossible for people with varying levels of disability to use the Web.  

Usability can be measured by how well users, with or without disability, are able to understand, navigate and interact with the site. In addition to being efficient and effective, usability measures include user engagement, ease of use and error tolerance. 

Usability resources

Web-based

International Organization for Standardization

Standard ISO 9241-11:1998 provides guidance on usability.

UserFocus usability guidelines

A London-based usability consulting and training company.

Books

Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
by Steve Krug

A great book for conveying what web usability is about. This book offers straightforward descriptions and examples.

Letting Go of the Words: Writing Web Content that Works
by Janice (Ginny) Redish

Best book addressing web content and usability – that is, how to write web content that is usable/user friendly for website visitors.



Communicating Design: Developing Web Site Documentation for Design and Planning
by Dan M. Brown

A book that’s useful for those who are project managers and need to understand what deliverables are key to creating a usable website.