Website usability is an organized, interactive, and progressive practice that allows developers to make web interfaces much more appealing and easy to “use”. The problem with web usability is that there’s an influx of information floating around the web has been misinforming designers and developers all over the world. Within this article, we plan on providing concise and easy to implement techniques that will allow web developers to enhance the usability factor on the websites they develop.

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Create an Excellent Navigation

This may seem like a logical technique to put into practice, however, you’d be surprised the amount of experienced designers that overlook this simple yet complex way to enhance your usability. Your navigation should be clear to understand (i.e. typography), easy to find, consistent, and contain contrasting colors for current tabs and/or simple hover over effects for the rest.

Accessible Search Function

Most websites you come across already have a search function, however, there are several that don’t have this feature easily accessible and usable for the websites visitors. Users utilize the search function like a “bad habit” when they’re on your website, and they sometimes rather (directly) search for content instead of scrolling through your website. The more reason you need to make the search tab, bar, or area easily viewable and quickly reachable. Where you place the search function entirely depends on your websites layout, a popular place is within the sites header.

Limit the Use of Multimedia

Users seldomly arrive at your website looking for videos, flash animations or a bunch of songs (unless you’re YouTube). This means that the rate at which they will be annoyed by your website if it has various multimedia elements is ecstatic. Most users will not stay to view a 5 minute video, they rather skim through the content, get what they need, and move on. Way too much movement will not only bore users, but they can also distract them and ultimately drive them away. Keep it simple.

Consistency with the User Interface

This is one of the most important areas where usability can and will expand on. Your user interface needs to be able to flow freely but at the same time remain consistent. Consistency through the user interface will influence user behavior that will motivate users to take action on the elements within your website. A consistent and easy to use interface relates to a much simpler and easy to interact with user interface. Start by enhancing the appearance and usability factor of your links, sidebars, footer, typographical elements and more. They must all display a certain level of consistency.

Structuring Your Layout

You’re like an architect for websites. You must ensure that your design is as effective and structurally sound as possible. Make sure that your websites layout is efficient, easy to navigate through, and simple. The web suffers from overcrowded websites where web masters have filled the sites interface with anything but useful content. Your headings, paragraphs (i.e. left aligned), and lists should be preserved with a high level of quality has become an integral part of your website. Once more, consistency arises, as you must also ensure that your websites layout is consistent with all of the other elements of design. Content should be easy to find, understand, and process.