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Web Usability Made Simple

Deborah J. Mayhew

D15 from a comprehensive curriculum on User eXperience (UX) currently under development at The Online User eXperience Institute (OUXI).

This course is one of a track of courses aimed at small web business owners, students and developers/designers with little or no prior training in software/web usability.

Read more

D15 from a comprehensive curriculum on User eXperience (UX) currently under development at The Online User eXperience Institute (OUXI).

This course is one of a track of courses aimed at small web business owners, students and developers/designers with little or no prior training in software/web usability.

Before you attend this course, we recommend that you take the free, 30 minute course called "Introduction to Web and eCommerce User eXperience Design". As well as providing a high level overview for this and other related courses from the same OUXI curriculum training track, it will explain how the small fees you invest in these courses could pay off in thousands of dollars in increased revenues from your ecommerce website.

The course is very concrete, a "how-to" course offering clear, actionable guidelines and hands-on exercises. These website usability guidelines are not based on subjective opinion - they have all been well established by rigorous, published research from disciplines such as cognitive science and computer-human interaction. Each guideline is fully explained and generously illustrated with many examples from real websites.

The 34 design guidelines offered were selected from the full body of knowledge on web usability to be: universal (i.e., applicable to any and all websites), easy to explain, commonly violated, high impact, and easy to implement. They represent the "low-hanging fruit" in designing for web usability.

With nothing beyond these 34 key guidelines, anyone should be able to realize major improvements in the usability of their website, which will contribute measurably to the success of the site in meeting its business goals.

Downloadable course materials include the full Powerpoint presentation in two formats - full slides, and two slides per page - and an actionable, Excel-based guidelines checklist that can be used as you apply your new skills to real web projects.

The course includes about 3 hours of lecture, and roughly 1.5 - 2 hours of hands-on exercises.

Both quick (a couple of minutes) and more comprehensive (roughly 45 minutes) optional hands-on exercises, followed by sample exercise solutions, help reinforce your understanding of the guidelines.

Your registration for this course entitles you to 30 minutes of "office hours" with the instructor via email. You can email questions to the instructor and receive personal responses. Send email to drdeb@ouxinstitute.com with "OUXI D15" in the subject line.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Upon completing this course, you will be able to apply 34 basic guidelines for achieving usability to your website user interface design
  • In this course, you will learn a basic subset of all available guidelines for website usability, selected for inclusion in this introductory course because they are universal, easy to explain, commonly violated, high impact and easy to implement

Syllabus

Downloadable Course Materials
Introduction

View a brief introduction to the course.

Consider these interesting questions about human cognition, just for fun!

Read more
Framework

View a definition of the term "User eXperience".

View a definition of the term "User Interface".

View a definition of the term "Usability".

Learn how user interface design guidelines can be categorized into three groups: structure of navigation, design of navigation, and design of page content. This lecture defines and illustrates these categories.

Guidelines for Structure of Navigation

Learn guidelines 1 through 3 for the structure of navigation.

Learn guidelines 4 through 6 for the structure of navigation.

Practice applying usability guidelines 1 - 6 for structure of navigation by doing this hands-on exercise.

Consider this solution to exercise one on structure of navigation.

Depending on how you chose to do the exercise, you can compare your solution to this one, or simply listen to this solution as an additional example of the application of guidelines 1 - 6 for structure of navigation.

Guidelines for Design of Navigation

Learn guidelines 7 through 8 for the visual design of navigation.

Learn guidelines 9 through 10 for the visual design of navigation.

Learn guidelines 11 through 12 for the visual design of navigation.

Learn guidelines 13 through 15 for the visual design of navigation.

Learn guidelines 16 through 17 for the visual design of navigation.

Learn guideline 18 for the visual design of navigation.

Practice applying usability guidelines 7 - 18 for the visual design of navigation by doing this hands-on exercise.

Consider this solution to exercise two on design of navigation.

Depending on how you chose to do the exercise, you can compare your solution to this one, or simply listen to this solution as an additional example of the application of guidelines 7 - 18 for design of navigation.

Guidelines for Design of Page Content

Learn guidelines 19 through 20 for the design of page content.

Learn guidelines 21 through 24 for the design of page content.

Learn guidelines 25 through 28 for the design of page content.

Learn guidelines 29 through 34 for the design of page content.

Practice applying usability guidelines 19 - 34 for the visual design of page content by doing this hands-on exercise.

Consider this solution to exercise three on design of page content.

Depending on how you chose to do the exercise, you can compare your solution to this one, or simply listen to this solution as an additional example of the application of guidelines 19-34 for design of page content.

Summary

Consolidate your learning by listening to this course summary with some important additional points.

Learn the answers to the infrequently asked questions posed at the beginning of the course.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Offers hands-on exercises and downloadable materials, such as a PowerPoint presentation and an Excel-based checklist, to help learners apply usability guidelines to real web projects
Provides actionable guidelines based on research from cognitive science and computer-human interaction, offering a practical approach to improving website usability
Recommends taking a free introductory course beforehand, which may help learners grasp the fundamental concepts and determine if the course aligns with their interests
Focuses on 34 key guidelines selected for their universality, ease of explanation, common violation, high impact, and ease of implementation, making it accessible to beginners
Offers optional hands-on exercises with sample solutions, reinforcing understanding of the guidelines and providing practical application of the concepts taught
Belongs to a track of courses from The Online User eXperience Institute (OUXI), suggesting a structured and comprehensive learning path in user experience

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Reviews summary

Practical web usability for beginners

According to learners, this course provides simple, actionable guidelines for improving website usability. Students find the hands-on exercises particularly helpful for applying the concepts in practice, solidifying their understanding. Reviewers note that the course is an excellent introduction for beginners or those new to UX/usability, with clear explanations from the instructor. While a few felt the pace was slightly quick or that it might lack depth for experienced professionals, the core principles are considered highly practical and immediately applicable.
Instructor explains concepts clearly.
"Dr. Deb provides clear explanations..."
"The instructor's explanations are clear and concise."
"The instructor is fantastic! Clear, engaging, and knowledgeable."
Excellent introduction to usability.
"Highly recommend for anyone starting out in web design or business owners wanting to improve their site."
"A solid introduction to web usability... Good for beginners."
"Perfect for someone with no prior UX/usability knowledge."
"It's definitely aimed at beginners, which is what I needed... Recommended for newcomers."
Hands-on practice reinforces learning.
"The exercises were particularly helpful for understanding how to use the guidelines in real-world scenarios."
"The exercises really helped solidify the concepts."
"The hands-on exercises are key to getting value from this course."
"The exercises are thoughtfully designed to reinforce learning."
Provides immediately useful tips.
"The guidelines are so practical and easy to implement. I immediately started applying them to my website..."
"This course delivered exactly what it promised: simple, actionable usability guidelines... needed practical tips I could use right away."
"Very practical and useful. The 34 guidelines cover the most common usability issues effectively."
"Learned a lot of practical tips."
Pace can be fast, lacks depth for pros.
"I felt the pace was a bit rushed in some sections... Good for a quick overview, but not very in-depth."
"experienced designers might find it too basic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Web Usability Made Simple with these activities:
Review UX Design Principles
Solidify your understanding of fundamental UX design principles to better grasp the course's usability guidelines.
Show steps
  • Read articles on UX design principles.
  • Watch introductory videos on UX design.
  • Summarize key UX design concepts.
Review 'Don't Make Me Think' by Steve Krug
Gain a deeper understanding of usability principles through a classic and accessible book on the topic.
View Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read 'Don't Make Me Think'.
  • Take notes on key usability concepts.
  • Relate concepts to the course guidelines.
Identify Usability Violations
Sharpen your ability to recognize usability issues by practicing with examples of common violations.
Show steps
  • Find examples of websites with usability issues.
  • Identify which guidelines are violated.
  • Explain how to fix the violations.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Usability Checklist
Reinforce your understanding of the 34 usability guidelines by creating a checklist for future reference.
Show steps
  • Review the course's usability guidelines.
  • Create a checklist based on the guidelines.
  • Organize the checklist for easy use.
Usability Audit of a Website
Apply the course's usability guidelines to a real-world website to identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Choose a website to audit.
  • Review the course's usability guidelines.
  • Evaluate the website against the guidelines.
  • Document usability issues and recommendations.
Review 'The Design of Everyday Things' by Don Norman
Expand your understanding of design principles with a foundational text on user-centered design.
View Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read 'The Design of Everyday Things'.
  • Reflect on the principles of good design.
  • Apply these principles to web usability.
Help others with usability questions
Solidify your understanding of usability by helping others with their questions and problems.
Show steps
  • Find online forums or communities.
  • Answer questions about usability.
  • Explain usability concepts to others.

Career center

Learners who complete Web Usability Made Simple will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Usability Analyst
A Usability Analyst evaluates the ease of use of websites, software, and other digital products. They conduct user testing, analyze data, and make recommendations for improvement. The course "Web Usability Made Simple" directly supports the work of a Usability Analyst. The course's focus on actionable guidelines and hands-on exercises helps build a practical understanding of how to assess and improve website usability. A Usability Analyst will find immediate value in the actionable Excel-based guidelines checklist, and the course is well-suited to the goals of the role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Usability Analyst
User Interface Designer
A User Interface Designer focuses on the visual elements of a digital product, such as buttons, icons, and typography. The goal is to create an interface that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. The course "Web Usability Made Simple" provides direct value to a User Interface Designer. It offers concrete guidelines and actionable exercises to improve website usability. The course emphasizes universal, high-impact, and easy-to-implement design principles. A User Interface Designer will be well-equipped to apply the taught guidelines to real web projects.
See salaries and explore the career path for User Interface Designer
Interaction Designer
An Interaction Designer focuses on how users interact with a digital product or service. They design the flow of information, create interactive prototypes, and conduct usability testing. The course "Web Usability Made Simple" directly applies to the work of an Interaction Designer. This course offers concrete guidelines and hands-on exercises to improve website usability. By applying these guidelines, the Interaction Designer can create websites that are intuitive and engaging. The principles related to navigation will prove valuable for interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer
User Experience Designer
A User Experience Designer focuses on making digital products and services user-friendly and enjoyable. They conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, and test designs to ensure a seamless user experience. This course, "Web Usability Made Simple," may be useful to someone seeking a role as User Experience Designer, as it provides a strong foundation in usability principles. The course's emphasis on actionable guidelines and hands-on exercises helps build a practical understanding of how to improve website usability. Specifically, the 34 design guidelines covered, selected for their universal applicability and ease of implementation, are directly relevant to the work of a User Experience Designer working to optimize websites.
See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer
Conversion Rate Optimizer
Conversion Rate Optimizers analyze website data to identify areas for improvement and implement changes to increase conversion rates. The role may involve A/B testing, data analysis, and user research. The guidelines in the course "Web Usability Made Simple" are directly relevant to the work of a Conversion Rate Optimizer. By improving website usability, they can directly impact conversion rates. This course's emphasis on actionable guidelines and real-world examples further enhances its value for Conversion Rate Optimizers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Conversion Rate Optimizer
eCommerce Manager
eCommerce Managers oversee the online sales and marketing efforts of a company. They are responsible for optimizing the user experience on the company's website to drive sales. The course "Web Usability Made Simple" is useful for someone seeking a role as an eCommerce Manager. The course provides actionable guidelines and hands-on exercises to improve website usability, with a focus on practical application, and the checklist can be used to apply learnings to eCommerce sites. The 34 key guidelines will enable the Manager to optimize an eCommerce website for better conversions.
See salaries and explore the career path for eCommerce Manager
Web Designer
Web Designers plan, create, and code internet sites and web pages. They are responsible for the look, layout, and features of a website. The course "Web Usability Made Simple" may be useful to someone seeking a role as a Web Designer, as it provides actionable guidelines for improving website usability. The course includes hands-on exercises, and covers the structure of navigation, the design of navigation, and the design of page content. A Web Designer will find particular value in the 34 design guidelines taught in the context of website improvements.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer
Web Developer
Web Developers are involved in building and maintaining websites. They write code, integrate graphics, and troubleshoot technical issues. The course "Web Usability Made Simple" may be useful to someone seeking a role as a Web Developer, as it emphasizes the importance of usability in web development. The course provides actionable guidelines and hands-on exercises to improve website usability, with a focus on practical application, and the included checklist can be used to apply learnings directly to web projects. The 34 key guidelines will enable the Web Developer to build websites that are both functional and user-friendly.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer
Customer Experience Manager
Customer Experience Managers focus on improving the overall experience that customers have with a company, across all touchpoints. The course "Web Usability Made Simple" may be useful to someone seeking a role as a Customer Experience Manager. The improved website usability will contribute to a better overall customer experience. The included checklist can be used to apply learnings to web projects. The 34 key guidelines enable the Manager to improve a website for better customer engagement.
See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Experience Manager
Information Architect
An Information Architect organizes and structures content on websites and applications to make it easy for users to find what they need. This role typically requires an advanced degree. The course "Web Usability Made Simple" may be useful to someone seeking a role as an Information Architect, as it touches upon key aspects of information organization and navigation. In particular, the guidelines are directly helpful for structuring navigation, a chief concern of the Information Architect. With the course's focus on practical application, one may find a new perspective when approaching their work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect
Content Strategist
A Content Strategist plans, develops, and manages content across various digital platforms. They ensure that content is aligned with business goals and user needs. The course "Web Usability Made Simple" may be useful to someone seeking a role as a Content Strategist, as it provides insights into how content contributes to overall website usability. The course touches upon the design of page content. The Content Strategist may use takeaways from this course to create content guidelines that ensure user engagement.
See salaries and explore the career path for Content Strategist
Accessibility Specialist
Accessibility Specialists ensure that websites, software, and other digital products are accessible to people with disabilities. As such, they assess digital interfaces and suggest changes. The course "Web Usability Made Simple" touches upon principles that are relevant to web accessibility. Much of web accessibility concerns itself with the design of page content. The Accessibility Specialist is well-positioned to apply the course's takeaways to their current and future projects.
See salaries and explore the career path for Accessibility Specialist
Digital Marketing Specialist
A Digital Marketing Specialist develops and implements digital marketing campaigns to promote products or services. It's important to not only draw people to particular sites, but also to make sure they navigate them well. The course "Web Usability Made Simple" is correlated with this career, as it helps teach how to make websites user-friendly, a crucial aspect of retaining visitors acquired through marketing efforts. The downloadable materials can be used with real web projects.
See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Marketing Specialist
Product Manager
Product Managers guide the development and launch of new products, ensuring they meet user needs and business goals. The course “Web Usability Made Simple” may be helpful to a Product Manager, as it provides insight into user expectations from a product. The course offers hands-on exercises to improve website usability. These can be put in the context of a new product launch.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designers create learning materials, such as online courses and training programs. They apply instructional design principles to ensure that the materials are engaging and effective. The principles learned from the course "Web Usability Made Simple" can be applied to improve the usability of training programs. By incorporating usability best practices, the Instructional Designer can create a learning experience that is more intuitive and user-friendly, leading to better learning outcomes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Web Usability Made Simple.
Cover image
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited
Save
Highly recommended and practical guide to web usability. It emphasizes simplicity and intuitive design, aligning perfectly with the course's focus on actionable guidelines. It provides a strong foundation for understanding how users interact with websites and how to avoid common usability pitfalls. This book is commonly used as a reference by UX professionals.
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense...
Paperback
$$
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited : A Common Sense...
Hardcover
$$$
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Things That Make Us Smart
Save
Provides a broader perspective on design principles, focusing on how good design should be intuitive and user-centered. While not specifically about web usability, it offers valuable insights into human cognition and interaction, which are fundamental to understanding usability. Reading this book will add more depth to the course by providing a theoretical framework for the practical guidelines.
Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human...
Kindle Edition
$

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Effort
2.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Deborah J. Mayhew
Language
English
Good to know
Offers hands-on exercises and downloadable materials, such as a PowerPoint presentation and an Excel-based checklist, to help learners apply usability guidelines to real web projects
Provides actionable guidelines based on research from cognitive science and computer-human interaction, offering a practical approach to improving website usability
Recommends taking a free introductory course beforehand, which may help learners grasp the fundamental concepts and determine if the course aligns with their interests
Focuses on 34 key guidelines selected for their universality, ease of explanation, common violation, high impact, and ease of implementation, making it accessible to beginners
Offers optional hands-on exercises with sample solutions, reinforcing understanding of the guidelines and providing practical application of the concepts taught
Belongs to a track of courses from The Online User eXperience Institute (OUXI), suggesting a structured and comprehensive learning path in user experience
Share and help others discover this course.
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