Frequently asked questions on usability optimization || Canadian web site usability consultancy

Usability is about optimizing the user experience.
    Frustration elimination.
    Ease of use.
    IBM calls it "simplicity".
UsabilityReviews.com usually performs usability testing through heuristic website evaluations (expert reviews) including competitive analysis. We gauge your site against a checklist of generally accepted usability guidelines. We look at things like navigation, consistency, content and error minimization.

It works best in combination with other usability methods like task analysis, focus groups, mystery shoppers, or user testing.

Why is usability important?

Your visitors want to find what they are looking for fast and easily. If not, they're gone. Off to your competitor's site. A usable site makes visitors feel good about your site, but also about your organization. It conveys trust and professionalism, and will strengthen your branding. It allows smaller companies to play with the big guys in a worldwide marketplace.

Isn't usability expensive?

It is expensive not to mind usability. You will lose sales and a lot of goodwill when your site is a frustrating environment. IBM is a strong advocate of usable designs, and quotes that as a rule of thumb:
every dollar spent in usability earns a return of $ 10 to $ 100.
(click here for other convincing quotes)

Usability issues need to be resolved sooner or later. So: analyze your site and its users now, and start reaping the benefits.

When should I look into usability optimization?

It is never too late, or too early. You can test ideas while they are still on paper, you can pilot a draft design, or you can optimize an existing site through redesign.

It is recommended that you continuously look at your site for improvement. You might have created a broken link with that last update... You might have solicited some feedback from users that require a small redesign project... Be generous to your users, and they will be generous to you!

What can UsabilityReviews.com do for me?

We are experienced in the evaluation of marketing effectiveness, and are strong advocates for frustration elimination. We mind the details, and can put a finger on your blind spots. We look through the user's eyes, and provide you with a report of recommendations. Your and your designer then decide which changes to implement. We can also have one of our designers make the changes for you.

What services do you offer?

We can perform a usability audit (heuristic website evaluation), which means we run a checklist with usability guidelines. Your competition can be taken into account, and we can include the e-commerce portion of your site.

UsabilityReviews.com is a service provided by U-C WEBS. U-C WEBS offers usability consulting, search engine optimization, affordable web design as well as an Internet tracking tool.
NOTE: you will have our unbiased and honest review of your web site. We will not use UsabilityReviews.com as a web design acquisition tool. We are first and foremost Usability Evangelists, who want to improve the Internet one web site at a time. And we assume you already have a working relationship with your own web designer.

You can acquire our usability guidance before, during or after a design project.

Are usability tests just for web sites?

Certainly not. It is wise to consider good usability practices with online newsletters, Intranets, Extranets: with all forms of communication where it is very important to meet the user's needs for maximum effectiveness. In this day and age the user has become more and more powerful. If you don't tailor to their needs, they're gone. Forever.

How long will a project take?

Depending on the kind of project it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. We know that time is of the essence, and will do our utmost to provide you with our recommendations as soon as we're able. We know our recommendations still need to be implemented before you can really boost visitor satisfaction. Contact us if you require rush service.

I would like someone to bounce some Internet related ideas off. Some plans we have, some concerns maybe...

We consider ourselves more an Internet coach than Internet consultant. We would love to listen to your thoughts and ideas, and look forward to present you with our reflections. We will not present you with a solution: we will facilitate the process in which you will be able to come up with the solutions yourself. And more! Who knows your business better than you do? We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for improvement. Contact us today!

Do you have any have questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions section, or contact us today.

Email us (info@usabilityreviews.com)
or give us a call at +1 (519) 787-7612.

Frequently asked questions on usability optimization.