Users should be considered from the outset of the design process. Usability is the relationship between systems and their users.
Benefits of usability planning in website design include:
- Increased Conversions
- Increased end-user productivity
- Increased end-user happiness
- Reduced development cost & change requests
- Reduced training and support
The Red Clay Process of Website Design
- Research
- Determine the business goals of the website from the perspective of the user and the business
- Determine the users goals and target usability requirements
- Evaluate existing version of site (if applicable)
- Audit Competitive websites
- Wireframe
- Sketch or Visio diagram of website design key features and navigation element.
- Mockup / Prototype
- Create visual representations (mockups) or interactive representations (prototype) of the website design
- Review Mockups with Client
- Repeat this process (design iteration) utilizing client feedback and usability goals until the goals are met
- Production
- Build the HTML, Database and Technical modules.
- Evaluate functionality through testing and quality assurance.
- Launch and Maintenance
- Launch the website
- Maintain and refine with user feedback
- Use feedback to create new requirement and begin major design improvement (process iteration)
Evaluation is an iterative process that occurs at every stage of website development.