Usability is defined as the extent to which a product can
be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness,
efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use. [ISO
9241-11].
Why does usability matter?
Usability represents an essential focus on the
pages of any company or entity by making them attractive enough for users not
only to stay and visit them, but also to come back in the future. That is why
page design, functions, messages, and contents must be designed and implemented
by keeping usability criteria in mind.
Site
browsing consistency is one of the aspects to be considered with regards to
usability. In most web sites, browsing is expected to meet the following three
objectives:
1- Locate the site on the Web
This is possible by placing the product or company logo,
preferably, in the upper left corner of the page. The logo must be present in
all of the company's web pages so that users can know what site they are on,
regardless of the kind of browsing they did or how they got to the site.
2- Show what can be done in the site
This is possible by using browsing bars usually
located in the upper (horizontal) and left (vertical) part of the page. The
location and content of these browsing bars must be consistent throughout the
site.
3- Find one's location within the site
For this purpose it is important to highlight the
selected menu option - for instance by changing colors, fonts (from normal to
bold) or images - and to choose a page title that matches the menu title
(preferably use the same title).
Consistent browsing is achieved by strictly following
these three points.