Blog topic #5: What is Usability?

Usability -- I think the key is making sure that a website appeals to the user. You can have all kinds of gadgets and sounds and animations...but are these things going to help or hinder the user. Usability factors differently into each individual website. Who are you trying to reach? If you are trying to reach/communicate with/get results from busy professionals -- better make the navigation of your site as straightforward as possible. Don't load up with a lot of distraction that is more bothersome than helpful. On the other hand...you may be trying to reach an audience that spends a lot of time surfing the web. Gamers, for instance. This audience is exposed to a lot more tricks and flash as they surf -- you're probably going to have to provide a lot of sensory input for them! What you do with your site and planning usability depends so much on who you're trying to reach -- so spend some time getting to know who you're trying to reach on the web. Too much or too little -- you can sink your own ship if you don't pay attention to who you're talking to !