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Web Usability : Web Design

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION: WEB USABILITY ROLE IN WEB DESIGN
With the increasing number of web sites on the world wide web users tend to choose or visit the web sites which are fast, easy to understand and use. 10 million sites are registered in 2000 and the number may increase to 100 million over two years. If the users can 't read or navigate through the website easily, then they go away.
This is why usability plays a critical role in web design. The purpose of usability has changed a lot. Its role in the internet economy today, is not the same as in the past.
• Users experience usability later in software/product industry, where they pay first.
• But, users experience usability first prior to payment on the web.
Art & Engineering: The two approaches to design are the artistic and the engineering way. This book concentrates on the engineering way through which user 's problems are resolved. Nielsen drew a well organized approach to design the web. Applying this approach anyone can calculate out the problems that may be encountered when using the website. To enhance the productivity and the tone of the web site, it should be handled like a software task. The methods Nielson described in this book are derived from past user experience. He noticed a set of users and the websites which allowed him to describe these methods. He observed the difficulties faced by those users. Nevertheless, he does not claim that every point should be followed blindly. The readers should learn

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