Website Usability Diagnostics

A Usability Diagnostic will improve the effectiveness of a website by identifying and documenting specific usability problem areas based on best practices and recommendations on how to correct these problems.

A Usability Diagnostic acts as a change management tool by providing a functional specification for communicating detailed requirements to designers and implementers and providing for an objective audit of when the implementation is completed. Typical review criteria consist of:

• Home Page Usability - The home page is the single most important page on the site.  Accounting for more than 80% of the user experience and perceived value of the site, home page Usability measures how well audiences and actions are identified on the home page, which makes it the top navigation page for the site. 
• Navigation and Information Architecture – In-depth look at the overall structure and navigation paths of the site to determine the ease of use when using the site in its entirety.
• Onsite Marketing – Examines online/offline marketing interaction as well as differentiation between strategies (e.g.., branding, perceived value, and indirect vs. direct messaging).
• Communicating Online - Explores how content is written and whether users are presented with a compelling "call to action.”  Does the site adhere to basic principles of navigation versus destination pages?
• Content Positioning - Explores premium content placement, nomenclature used, functionality and perceived value.
• Facilitating e-Commerce – This section explores the online transaction process, if applicable, including pre-order process, order, and post-order content and functionality expectations. 
• Competitive Analysis - Takes a look at what your competitors are doing and what some of the industry specific standards are for your field.