Only then can you define and prioritize the usability aspects of your site to meet your intended users’ needs.

Let’s take a few this site’s objectives and usability solutions as an example:

• Site Objective: 95% of Web pages must theoretically download in two seconds or under on a 56kbps modem.

• Usability Solution: To minimize the download time of each Web page, we minimized the number of words and graphic files on each page.
• Site Objective: Content must be understandable by a seventh grader. Since we appeal to an international audience, whose first language may not be English, this is crucial.

• Usability Solution: All text on this site has been checked for readability.
• Site Objective: User must be able to find the specific content they are looking for in three clicks or less.

• Usability Solution: There is a search form at the top of virtually every page for quick and easy access.

Make sure that the most popular features of your site should be positioned prominently on the home page, so that users don’t waste time hunting for them.

Local Internet search represent one of the biggest fundamental shift in recent history and Google is right in the middle of it.  Realizing this rapid growing trend, Google launched Google Places.

Google Places is an attempt to rank and display search results for local businesses that contains relevant information such as maps, business information, other details pertaining to the business.

The search results also contains reviews and recommendations from past customers that helps consumer make their decision easier.  Google allows businesses that has a local presence the opportunity to setup their own Google Places page, add detailed information and get ranked in the search results all without a need of a website.  This gives many businesses the opportunity to quickly establish an online presence of their own.

• Attract new clients and users to your website
• Extend your existing services
• Connect with existing customers (Social Media Tools)
• Compete with your competitors
• Boost your sales if you rely on regional, local, or foot traffic

Another benefit is that it helps your business get found on mobile devices.

While  many people still use desktop computers to perform Google searches, a rapidly growing number of people are using their mobile devices to perform these searches as well.   Mobile devices that has Internet capabilities now account for more than 20% of the mobile phones in  the Canada and the U.S.    That is equivalent to more than 45 millions phones with Internet capabilities.  Most importantly, this number is growing at the rate of 20% every 3 months!
Performing mobile searches on smart phones for local businesses is extremely common activity for many mobile users.  Not only are the searches done on mobile phones, mobile  devices such as tablet computers also add to this growing popularity.

Using the Tools from Google will also enhanced and increase visibility to your clients/users.

Something to Think about!

Louise Rennick

WDD Technologies.com