Usability Dimension: "Usable"

USABLE.

Last feature discussed few examples and theories about a useful interface. This feature will focus on "usable" aspect of user interfaces. Often, we focus too much on our sites and applications being functionally useful and perfect; also making it very desirable and attractive, but losing focus on the vital concept: ease of use. One reason maybe because the interface-centered methods and perspectives of human-computer interaction do not address all dimensions of website/product design.

Of all dimensions of usability, usable is perhaps one of the closest attributes that is a direct contribution towards user productivity gains. Ease of use minimizes:

• erroneous actions


• need of training


• time spent on tasks

A useful and simple website is going to yield more repeat traffic in long term, even if it's not good to look at.

Few examples of a good balance between "useful" and "usable" and not categorically "desirable":

• gmail


• ebay


• youtube


• wikipedia


• amazon


• imdb


• myspace

The above list, you shall agree consists of few of the most used internet sites and these belong to this category of being usable and useful, but not visually appealing or desirable.  A couple more examples of relatively unknown sites that are "ugly" and still work like a charm because of being usable:

• Plenty of Fish - a very plain looking website that offers a free online dating service much like Match.com (but without the subscription fee). There is nothing specifically impressive about the website that stands out, in fact the site is actually rather ugly. A second look at the website on its reported earnings revealed that it brings in over $10,000 from Adsense – in one day. For those of you counting, that is $300,000 per month and nearly one million dollars in just three months.
  (borrowed from this site)


• Ryanair - audible gasps are possible when you see this site, for its ugly nature. However, Ryanair experiences online bookings to the tune of several millions a year.

Not making your interfaces usable is not a mistake, but outright blunder. Remember, if one of your users gets lost trying to navigate your website, check out of your web store, or finding simple contact information, then you unnecessarily are increasing the chances that this user will simply leave. This particular aspect of usability is best not kept optional. It is a must.

Watch this space as we discuss the next usability dimension: Desirable.

Usability Dimension: "Useful"

USEFUL.

It may be observed that when a website or product is usable, but not useful, it's unlikely to get off the ground. Useful is what generates the interest, serves a need, scratches an itch. Often useful can do without being usable. If your website page has large content that is "useful" for the user making an informed decision/action, you may have to sacrifice on the usability by allowing horizontal/vertical scroll and pop-up/navigation elements. Another standard usability principle suggests alphabetical order of drop-down menus, which is usable in nature, as the users can do without additional cognitive load in narrowing down their choice of action. However, if an unsorted but prioritized menu items are presented to the users based on the most useful options presented first; the system might prove to be more useful after all.

Few Examples of Useful but Low on Overall Usability:

• ecademy


• Most Torrent / Freeware Download sites


• craigslist


• experts-exchange


• only batteries


• flickr


• salesforce (App not Website)


• exactitudes


• igluski

As usability and UI practitioners, we cannot be content to paint within the lines drawn by customers and the known patterns of usability. We must courageously and creatively question the usefulness of the system and functionalities and the user interface elements. Thus, we seek to apply our deep knowledge of craft and medium to define innovative solutions that are more useful.

Watch this space for examples of next usability dimension: Usable.

Dimensions of Usability

Is it more important for your website/product to be desirable or accessible? How about usable or credible? The truth is, it depends on your unique balance of 'context', 'content', and 'users' - and the required trade-offs are better made explicitly than unconsciously or subconsciously.

We'll attempt to discuss and exemplify various aspects and dimensions of usability and user experience - that should be actively considered for the visualization of our brand, product, website, etc. In a series of blog articles, we'll discuss the following dimensions of user interfaces, singularly:

• useful


• usable


• desirable


• findable


• accessible


• credible


• valuable

Watch this space as we explore the topics with appropriate examples.