Web usability is a key aspect of web page design, as it determines how easily users can interact with a website. In an environment where user experience has become a priority, understanding and applying web usability principles is essential for designing an accessible and efficient website.
The principles of usability, formulated in 1995 by interface engineer Jakob Nielsen, have become a guide to creating an attractive yet functional website. At Enjoy Minder, a web design agency in India, we’ll discuss them. If you’re thinking about creating a website for your business, this article is for you!
What are usability principles?
According to Jakob Nielsen, web usability can be measured in ten principles created based on user needs and used to eliminate interface problems on a website. When creating a website, not only is aesthetics important, but it must also be comfortable for anyone who visits it.
Web usability itself is a powerful tool for reducing our website’s bounce rate, as users will spend more time browsing the site, increasing the chances of interaction and loyalty.
Jakob Nielsen’s 10 principles of usability
Visibility of system status
The user must know what’s happening on the website at all times. If the page is loading, a loading design must be displayed; if a form has been completed or a message has been sent via the website, it must be indicated that the action has been completed.
Consistency between the system and the real world
The concepts used on a website can be confusing. For this reason, it’s recommended that more technical terms be accompanied by explanatory images. Common examples include the magnifying glass in search tabs, the envelope in contact fields, or the term “Error 404” when the page presents a problem.
User control and freedom
It’s common for users to make mistakes while browsing our website due to a lack of knowledge. To make it easy to correct any errors, we must offer users alternatives that make this easier, such as an undo button or a trash can to delete a selected article.
Consistency and standards
There are certain icons whose meaning is accepted and understood by everyone. This is the case with the magnifying glass, which is always associated with the concept of search. Therefore, this icon will be more recognizable to the user than if we replace it with binoculars, for example.
Error prevention
As web designers, we must anticipate any errors that users may make, such as using double fields in forms to confirm an email address or password.
Recognition before memory
There’s no need for the user to use memory if the website itself displays their steps. The user should know where they came from and where they’re going at all times. This can be implemented in a variety of ways: by naming actions in a purchasing process, with a progress bar, or with a history of visited pages.
Flexibility and efficiency of use
Once the user is familiar with our website, they should have access to shortcuts and accelerators to easily access what they’re interested in. This point is especially aimed at more experienced users, so they can access pages or products they’ve already visited in half the time they need.
Aesthetic and minimalist design
Although usability goes beyond the beauty of a page, aesthetics are still an important factor in attracting users. But it goes beyond drawings, colors, or font style; aesthetics also mean not overloading the page with irrelevant information. Therefore, we must ask ourselves what our users are most interested in when they visit our page and structure the content accordingly.
Help to recognize, diagnose, and solve an error
We need to make sure users understand any errors they encounter while browsing our website, making it easier to resolve. We can even notify them on what they need to do to resolve it.
Help and documentation
On some websites, additional explanation is required to help users navigate the page more easily. Help content should be clear and easily accessible. Examples of this are the FAQ section or chatbots.
Improve the usability of your website with Enjoy Minder
In short, these are the most important pillars for improving website usability. Although they were established almost thirty years ago, they remain relevant today.
At Enjoy Minder, as web design experts, we apply usability principles to our own and our clients’ websites. We design aesthetically pleasing and functional websites that meet your business objectives. If you’d like to learn more about our web design work, please contact us without obligation!
