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 Usability First in Website DesignThere is more to the art of website design than the arrangement of graphics and images. 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.
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