With the rising popularity of amateur DIY web site design, it can be tempting to ignore the benefits of investing in professional developers and designers. Although great design goes beyond the simple application of standards, it remains something that a professional establishment should insist upon.

Why?

Usability standards:

• Give your business practices definition by having authoritative guidance.

• Ensure consistency by guaranteeing content that is accessible and consistent across all modern browsers (cross browser consistency).

• Enable the disabled. User accessibility gives disabled users access to your site with content functionalities such as text size/browser size enlargement and hover-voice reading that is activated by a disabled user’s operating system.

• Enable anyone, really. Although the main features of usability standards appear during development, their purpose is to cross over to the human user.

How does it work?

Usability standards break into three domains: process, evaluation, and design. The process domain refers to how content is organized for human users. The evaluation domain covers the tools necessary for evaluating the content. These first two domains are directly affected by the design domain, within which the designer develops the actual site. The design domain must follow 5 guidelines.

• Purpose and Strategy: Is the purpose of your site clear to users? Is this an accurate depiction of your business?

• Content and Functionality: What does your site say/do? Is it easy to understand and use?

• Navigation and Interaction: Can users easily navigate your site? Are they visiting numerous pages on your site? Are they responding to your calls-to-action?

• Content Presentation: How is your content presented? Is it easily accessible and aesthetically pleasing? Is it keeping users on page or taking them to other pages?

• General Media Design: Is your site attractive, appealing? Are users responding positively to your brand?

If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions, it is possible that your site does not fall under usability standards. These standards are important, especially if you want your site to create business. Feel free to click any of the provided links for more information on how to boost your standards.