Usability Guidelines
On this page:
Navigation
Functionality
User Control
Language and Content
Online Help and User Guides
System and User Feedback
Web Accessibility
Consistency
Error Prevention and Correction
Architectural and Visual Clarity
These guidelines include most factors to consider during a usability evaluation of a web site. Not all factors apply to every site.
The guidelines are a work in progress. Check back periodically for a new version.
| Navigation | Rating | Explanation for Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Current location within the site is shown clearly | ||
| Link to the site's main page is clearly identified | ||
| Major/important parts of the site are directly accessible from the main page | ||
| Site map is provided for a large, complex site | ||
| Easy to use Search function is provided, as needed | ||
| Functionality | Rating | Explanation for Rating |
| Site accommodates novice to expert users | ||
| Functions are clearly labeled | ||
| Essential functions are available without leaving the site | ||
| Plug-ins are used only if they add value | ||
| User Control | Rating | Explanation for Rating |
| Site reflects user's workflow | ||
| User can cancel any operation | ||
| Clear exit point is provided on every page | ||
| Per-page size is less than 50K, to accommodate slow connections | ||
| All appropriate browsers are supported | ||
| Language and Content | Rating | Explanation for Rating |
| Important information and tasks are given prominence | ||
| Information of low relevance or rarely used information is not included | ||
| Related information or tasks are grouped: - on the same page or menu - in the same area within a page |
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| Language is simple, without jargon | ||
| Paragraphs are brief | ||
| Links are concise, expressive, and visible--not buried in text | ||
| Terms are defined | ||
| Online Help and User Guides | Rating | Explanation for Rating |
| Site is designed to require minimal help and instructions | ||
| Help and instructions, if needed, are easily accessible | ||
| System and User Feedback | Rating | Explanation for Rating |
| It is always clear what is happening on the site -- visual hints, etc. | ||
| Users can receive email feedback if necessary | ||
| Users can give feedback via email or a feedback form | ||
| Confirmation screen is provided for form submittal | ||
| All system feedback is timely | ||
| Users are informed if a plug-in or browser version is required | ||
| Each page includes a "last updated" date | ||
| Web Accessibility W3C's Tools, Checklist, and Guidelines |
Explanation for Rating | |
| Site follows current web standards; HTML 4.0, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS1) Cascading Style Sheets are used for layout and style where possible |
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| Images and animations The attribute ALT= is used for images, animations, and other objects |
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| Image maps Site uses client-side map and text for hotspots |
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| Multimedia Site provides captioning and transcripts of audio and descriptions of video |
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| Web versions of PDF documents are provided | ||
| Link labels make sense when read out of context; site avoids such link names as "click here" | ||
| Page organization Accomplished with headings, lists, and consistent structure |
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| Graphs and charts Summaries are provided for graphs and charts, or the LONGDESC attribute is used |
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| Scripts, applets, & plug-ins Alternative content is provided for scripts, applets, and plug-ins in case these active features are inaccessible or unsupported |
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| Frames For frames pages, site includes the NOFRAMES option and meaningful titles |
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| Tables Line-by-line reading of tables is sensible, and summaries are included where possible |
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| Validation Site has been validated using the W3C's HTML Validation Service and the Bobby Accessibility Checker |
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| Site has been tested on a variety of platforms (UNIX, Windows, Mac) and browsers (Netscape 3, 4, 6, 7; IE 5, 6; lynx) | ||
| Consistency | Rating | Explanation for Rating |
| The same word or phrase is used consistently to describe an item | ||
| Link reflects the title of the page to which it refers | ||
| Error Prevention and Correction | Explanation for Rating | |
| Users can rely on recognition, not memory, for successful use of the site | ||
| Site tolerates a reasonable variety of user actions | ||
| Site provides concise instructions for user actions, including entry format | ||
| Error messages are visible, not hidden | ||
| Error messages are in plain language | ||
| Error messages describe actions to remedy a problem | ||
| Error messages provide a clear exit point | ||
| Error messages provide contact details for assistance | ||
| Architectural and Visual Clarity | Rating | Explanation for Rating |
| Site is organized from the user's perspective | ||
| Site is easily scannable for organization and meaning | ||
| Site design and layout is straightforward and concise | ||
| Site design and layout are redundant only when required for user productivity | ||
| White space is sufficient; pages are not too dense | ||
| Unnecessary animation is avoided | ||
| Colors used for visited and unvisited links are easily seen and understood | ||
| Bold and italic text is used sparingly |
