Planning, Developing, and Promoting Successful Small Business Websites

Table of Contents

One of the most beneficial ways to test for usability is by having volunteer users use the site while the developer observes. A developer often becomes immune to usability problems on a website similar to the way a writer is unlikely to see errors in their own work when editing. The best way to find usability problems is to ask a non-biased person to navigate the site for certain elements. This will provide insight on how easy these tasks are to perform from a user point-of-view, and reveal if the tasks can be made any simpler. This process will often make the developer aware of usability issues. It is best to have a volunteer agree to be videotaped while the developer observes them. Videotaping the screen and a user’s hand on the mouse can provide valuable information to the developer and inform them of how a visitor will use their site. A good way to test usability is to have a list of common tasks for the volunteer to perform. Designing a site from a user’s perspective is a great asset in creating a successful website. A vast body of research results is available on usability issues, and should be considered during the development of a website.

Appendices
(All in a single document) Appendix 1-1: Overture Search Term
Research Tool

Appendix 1-2: Wordtracker Search Query Research Tool

Appendix 1-3: Google Sets Website Theme Research Tool

Appendix 1-4: Reach/ Acquire/ Convert/ Retain

Chart Appendix 2-5: Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth Information Architecture Flowchart

Appendix 2-6: Search Engine Themes Pyramid Information Architecture Example

Appendix 2-7: Webpage Download Time by File Size Chart

Appendix 2-8: Expected Locations for Common E-commerce Elements

Appendix 2-9: Website Usability Checklist

Appendix 2-10: Text Vs.Code Ratio/ Content Near the Top of Souce Code Examples

Appendix 3-11: Overture Bid Price Tool

Appendix 3-12: Webalizer Website Visitor Tracking Tool

Appendix 3-13: AW STATS Website Visitor Tracking Tool Appendix

3-14: Clicktracks Website Statistics
Analysis Tool

References
Author Notes

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Planning, Developing, and Promoting Successful Small Business Websites Table of Contents

Planning, Developing, and Promoting a Successful Small Business Website

Validated Website Development for Small Business Page 30

Website Usability Testing

Planning, Developing, and Promoting Successful Small Business Websites

Table of Contents

Validated Website Development for Small Business
Page 30