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[[File:Aggregate-heatmap-all-non-search-pageviews 1.png|200px|thumbnail|right|An aggregate heatmap shows 57,453 eye tracking fixations across a wide range of pages, excluding search and search-results pages. Red indicates where users looked the most; yellow where they looked less. White areas got virtually no looks. The top black stripe indicates the page fold in the study; subsequent black stripes represent each additional screen after scrolling. - Source:[http://www.nngroup.com/ Nielsen Norman Group]]]{{#ev:youtube|9BdtGjoIN4E|400|right|Don Norman: The term "UX|frame}}{{Nutshell|Usability aims to make it easier for a reader to navigate content.}}{{Breadcrumbs|page=|url=|wikipedia=yes}}'''Web usability''' is an approach to make web sites easy to use for an end-user, without the requirement that any specialized training be undertaken. The user should be able to intuitively relate the actions he needs to perform on the web page, with other interactions he sees in the general domain of life e.g. press of a button leads to some action. The broad goal of usability can be:
[[File:Aggregate-heatmap-all-non-search-pageviews 1.png|200px|thumbnail|right|An aggregate heatmap shows 57,453 eye tracking fixations across a wide range of pages, excluding search and search-results pages. Red indicates where users looked the most; yellow where they looked less. White areas got virtually no looks. The top black stripe indicates the page fold in the study; subsequent black stripes represent each additional screen after scrolling. - Source:[http://www.nngroup.com/ Nielsen Norman Group]]]{{#ev:youtube|9BdtGjoIN4E|400|right|Don Norman: The term "UX|frame}}{{Nutshell|Usability aims to make it easier for a reader to navigate content.}}{{Breadcrumbs|page=|url=|wikipedia=yes}}'''Web usability''' is an approach to make web sites easy to use for an end-user, without the requirement that any specialized training be undertaken. The user should be able to intuitively relate the actions he needs to perform on the web page, with other interactions he sees in the general domain of life e.g. press of a button leads to some action. The broad goal of usability can be:
#Present the information to the user in a clear and concise way.
#Present the information to the user in a clear and concise way.
#To give the correct choices to the users, in a very obvious way.
#To give the correct choices to the users, in a very obvious way.
#To remove any ambiguity regarding the consequences of an action e.g. clicking on delete/remove/purchase.
#To remove any ambiguity regarding the consequences of an action e.g. clicking on delete/remove/purchase.
#Put the most important thing in the right place on a web page or a web application.
#Put the most important thing in the right place on a web page or a web application.
==What is user-centered design?==
==What is user-centered design?==
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When users can successfully accomplish their tasks on your site, you will accomplish your program goals. Incorporating usability techniques into your design process makes smart business sense because:
When users can successfully accomplish their tasks on your site, you will accomplish your program goals. Incorporating usability techniques into your design process makes smart business sense because:
*It helps you align your end users’ goals with your program goals.
*It helps you align your end users’ goals with your program goals.
*It helps you figure out what content you really need on your site – and what content you don’t. Getting rid of unnecessary content reduces maintenance costs.
*It helps you figure out what content you really need on your site – and what content you don’t. Getting rid of unnecessary content reduces maintenance costs.
*Unforeseen or unmet user requirements results in increased maintenance costs.
*Unforeseen or unmet user requirements results in increased maintenance costs.
*Visitors who can’t find information make uninformed decisions.
*Visitors who can’t find information make uninformed decisions.
*Visitors who can’t complete tasks on your sites contact you instead.
*Visitors who can’t complete tasks on your sites contact you instead.
*Customers who have bad experiences on websites view the sponsoring organizations as untrustworthy.
*Customers who have bad experiences on websites view the sponsoring organizations as untrustworthy.
==User experience==
==User experience==
{{Breadcrumbs|align=right|page=User experience|url=|officialwebsite=no|wikipedia=yes|powerpedia=no|openei=no|imwiki=no|imwikisupport=no}}{{Main|User experience}}{{#ev:youtube|CJnfAXlBRTE|400|right|What is UX Design? Defining User Experience Design & Explaining the Process|frame}}
{{Breadcrumbs|align=right|page=User experience|url=|officialwebsite=no|wikipedia=yes|Saintapedia=no|openei=no|imwiki=no|imwikisupport=no}}{{Main|User experience}}{{#ev:youtube|CJnfAXlBRTE|400|right|What is UX Design? Defining User Experience Design & Explaining the Process|frame}}
User experience (UX) involves a person's behaviors, attitudes, and emotions about using a particular product, [[system]] or service. User experience includes the practical, experiential, affective, meaningful and valuable aspects of human-computer interaction and product ownership. Additionally, it includes a person’s perceptions of system aspects such as utility, ease of use and efficiency. User experience may be considered subjective in nature to the degree that it is about individual perception and thought with respect to the system. User experience is dynamic as it is constantly modified over time due to changing usage circumstances and changes to individual systems as well as the wider usage context in which they can be found.
User experience (UX) involves a person's behaviors, attitudes, and emotions about using a particular product, [[system]] or service. User experience includes the practical, experiential, affective, meaningful and valuable aspects of human-computer interaction and product ownership. Additionally, it includes a person’s perceptions of system aspects such as utility, ease of use and efficiency. User experience may be considered subjective in nature to the degree that it is about individual perception and thought with respect to the system. User experience is dynamic as it is constantly modified over time due to changing usage circumstances and changes to individual systems as well as the wider usage context in which they can be found.
In the Federal space, please see https://www.usability.gov/ and [[DigitalGov#User Experience Community|User Experience Community]].
==How do I get started?==
==How do I get started?==
The first step in any usability project is to do some user research – get to know who is currently coming to your site and what they are trying to accomplish when they come. User research can include conducting surveys, setting interviews, reviewing statistics and/or going over webmaster feedback – the methods you choose depends on your time and budget.
The first step in any usability project is to do some user research – get to know who is currently coming to your site and what they are trying to accomplish when they come. User research can include conducting surveys, setting interviews, reviewing statistics and/or going over webmaster feedback – the methods you choose depends on your time and budget.
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The next steps depend on your research questions:
The next steps depend on your research questions:
*Is your target audience actually coming to your site? If not, consider a marketing campaign.
*Is your target audience actually coming to your site? If not, consider a marketing campaign.
*How well can users accomplish their goals using your current site? Find out with a usability test.
*How well can users accomplish their goals using your current site? Find out with a usability test.
*How do I organize my site content so it’s intuitive for my users? Try card sorting or tree testing.
*How do I organize my site content so it’s intuitive for my users? Try card sorting or tree testing.
*Will my new layout/design work for my users? Consider wireframe or prototype testing.
*Will my new layout/design work for my users? Consider wireframe or prototype testing.
Remember, usability methods are scalable to your time frame and budget – your site visitors will thank you for any efforts you can make. And your program will thank you too when your website directly contributes to an increase in satisfaction with the program while decreasing maintenance costs.
Remember, usability methods are scalable to your time frame and budget – your site visitors will thank you for any efforts you can make. And your program will thank you too when your website directly contributes to an increase in satisfaction with the program while decreasing maintenance costs.
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Usability testing lets the design and development teams identify problems before they are coded. The earlier issues are identified and fixed, the less expensive the fixes will be in terms of both staff time and possible impact to the schedule. During a usability test, you will:
Usability testing lets the design and development teams identify problems before they are coded. The earlier issues are identified and fixed, the less expensive the fixes will be in terms of both staff time and possible impact to the schedule. During a usability test, you will:
*Learn if participants are able to complete specified tasks successfully and
*Learn if participants are able to complete specified tasks successfully and
*Identify how long it takes to complete specified tasks
*Identify how long it takes to complete specified tasks
*Find out how satisfied participants are with your Web site or other product
*Find out how satisfied participants are with your Web site or other product
*Identify changes required to improve user performance and satisfaction
*Identify changes required to improve user performance and satisfaction
*And analyze the performance to see if it meets your usability objectives
*And analyze the performance to see if it meets your usability objectives
===Possible tools===
===Possible tools===
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[http://www.techsmith.com/morae.html Morae] gives you the ability to set up, record, observe, and analyze usability studies, focus groups, field research, and product testing. You and others can watch the study or interaction remotely, take notes, and then analyze results to instantly share your insights with others.
[http://www.techsmith.com/morae.html Morae] gives you the ability to set up, record, observe, and analyze usability studies, focus groups, field research, and product testing. You and others can watch the study or interaction remotely, take notes, and then analyze results to instantly share your insights with others.
==Related==
==Related==
*[[Energy.gov Renewal Project]]
*[[Accessibility]]
*[[2011 DOE Website Reform]]
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://usability.gov/ Usability.gov] is a great source of usability information for government agencies; managed by [[Health & Human Services]].
*[http://usability.gov/ Usability.gov] is a great source of usability information for government agencies; managed by Health & Human Services.
*[https://www.usability.gov/how-to-and-tools/index.html How To & Tools]
**[https://www.usability.gov/how-to-and-tools/index.html How To & Tools]
*The [https://forum.webcontent.gov/ Federal Web Content Managers Forum] is a great source of advice and resources on all Web topics; the User Experience Sub-council provides access to networking and advice from other federal usability practitioners.
*[http://www.eere.energy.gov/communicationstandards/usability.html Information on EERE’s software tools for usability studies] - includes how to videos.
*[http://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-101-introduction-to-usability/ Usability 101: Introduction to Usability]
*[http://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-101-introduction-to-usability/ Usability 101: Introduction to Usability]
*[https://www.nngroup.com/reports/how-to-recruit-participants-usability-studies/ How to Recruit Participants for Usability Studies]
*[https://www.nngroup.com/reports/how-to-recruit-participants-usability-studies/ How to Recruit Participants for Usability Studies]
*[http://www.nngroup.com/articles/navigation-cognitive-strain/?utm_source=Alertbox&utm_campaign=5c6bb2f5ca-Alertbox_email_09_30_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7f29a2b335-5c6bb2f5ca-24259149 Four Dangerous Navigation Approaches that Can Increase Cognitive Strain] - Some navigation implementations risk pushing users into a state of cognitive strain which lessens the likelihood of them taking desirable actions.
*[http://www.nngroup.com/articles/navigation-cognitive-strain/?utm_source=Alertbox&utm_campaign=5c6bb2f5ca-Alertbox_email_09_30_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7f29a2b335-5c6bb2f5ca-24259149 Four Dangerous Navigation Approaches that Can Increase Cognitive Strain] - Some navigation implementations risk pushing users into a state of cognitive strain which lessens the likelihood of them taking desirable actions.
===Usability testing expert===
===Usability testing expert===
*{{W|Steve Krug}}
*{{W|Steve Krug}}
*[http://sensible.com/dmmt.html Don't Make Me Think] - A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
**[http://sensible.com/dmmt.html Don't Make Me Think] - A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
*[http://sensible.com/rsme.html Rocket Surgery Made Easy] - The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Finding and Fixing Usability Problems
**[http://sensible.com/rsme.html Rocket Surgery Made Easy] - The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Finding and Fixing Usability Problems
**[http://sensible.com/downloads-rsme.html Downloads] such as
**[http://sensible.com/downloads-rsme.html Downloads] such as
An aggregate heatmap shows 57,453 eye tracking fixations across a wide range of pages, excluding search and search-results pages. Red indicates where users looked the most; yellow where they looked less. White areas got virtually no looks. The top black stripe indicates the page fold in the study; subsequent black stripes represent each additional screen after scrolling. - Source:Nielsen Norman Group
Web usability is an approach to make web sites easy to use for an end-user, without the requirement that any specialized training be undertaken. The user should be able to intuitively relate the actions he needs to perform on the web page, with other interactions he sees in the general domain of life e.g. press of a button leads to some action. The broad goal of usability can be:
Present the information to the user in a clear and concise way.
To give the correct choices to the users, in a very obvious way.
To remove any ambiguity regarding the consequences of an action e.g. clicking on delete/remove/purchase.
Put the most important thing in the right place on a web page or a web application.
User-centered design (UCD) is an approach to building products that incorporates end user feedback throughout the planning, design, and development of the product. This approach considers both your program objectives and your end user's needs and preferences, and ensures that the final product is both useable and useful to your target audiences.
Why should I care about usability?
When users can successfully accomplish their tasks on your site, you will accomplish your program goals. Incorporating usability techniques into your design process makes smart business sense because:
It helps you align your end users’ goals with your program goals.
It helps you figure out what content you really need on your site – and what content you don’t. Getting rid of unnecessary content reduces maintenance costs.
Unforeseen or unmet user requirements results in increased maintenance costs.
Visitors who can’t find information make uninformed decisions.
Visitors who can’t complete tasks on your sites contact you instead.
Customers who have bad experiences on websites view the sponsoring organizations as untrustworthy.
What is UX Design? Defining User Experience Design & Explaining the Process
User experience (UX) involves a person's behaviors, attitudes, and emotions about using a particular product, system or service. User experience includes the practical, experiential, affective, meaningful and valuable aspects of human-computer interaction and product ownership. Additionally, it includes a person’s perceptions of system aspects such as utility, ease of use and efficiency. User experience may be considered subjective in nature to the degree that it is about individual perception and thought with respect to the system. User experience is dynamic as it is constantly modified over time due to changing usage circumstances and changes to individual systems as well as the wider usage context in which they can be found.
How do I get started?
The first step in any usability project is to do some user research – get to know who is currently coming to your site and what they are trying to accomplish when they come. User research can include conducting surveys, setting interviews, reviewing statistics and/or going over webmaster feedback – the methods you choose depends on your time and budget.
The next steps depend on your research questions:
Is your target audience actually coming to your site? If not, consider a marketing campaign.
How well can users accomplish their goals using your current site? Find out with a usability test.
How do I organize my site content so it’s intuitive for my users? Try card sorting or tree testing.
Will my new layout/design work for my users? Consider wireframe or prototype testing.
Remember, usability methods are scalable to your time frame and budget – your site visitors will thank you for any efforts you can make. And your program will thank you too when your website directly contributes to an increase in satisfaction with the program while decreasing maintenance costs.
Usability testing refers to evaluating a product or service by testing it with representative users. Typically, during a test, participants will try to complete typical tasks while observers watch, listen and takes notes. The goal is to identify any usability problems, collect qualitative and quantitative data and determine the participant's satisfaction with the product.
Screen sharing tools (WebEx, Adobe Connect, gotowebinar, gotomeeting, google hangouts, etc.) are often to see the test participants screen, share the test observation with remote folks, and record the session.
Benefits
Usability testing lets the design and development teams identify problems before they are coded. The earlier issues are identified and fixed, the less expensive the fixes will be in terms of both staff time and possible impact to the schedule. During a usability test, you will:
Learn if participants are able to complete specified tasks successfully and
Identify how long it takes to complete specified tasks
Find out how satisfied participants are with your Web site or other product
Identify changes required to improve user performance and satisfaction
And analyze the performance to see if it meets your usability objectives
Morae gives you the ability to set up, record, observe, and analyze usability studies, focus groups, field research, and product testing. You and others can watch the study or interaction remotely, take notes, and then analyze results to instantly share your insights with others.
