87
Copyright © 2016, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited.
Chapter 4
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-9764-5.ch004
ABSTRACT
The chapter introduces the defnition of usability, usability assessment techniques to be adopted during
the whole application life cycle for promoting usability. Then, the chapter includes design features for
evaluating e-commerce websites such as navigation, content, design, ease of use and structure features
and designing usable e-commerce websites. Then the chapter discussed the user testing method followed
by a case study which comprises data collection by users’ preferences, data analysis and the results.
The latter in the chapter, we briefy describe the efectiveness of usability evaluation methods. Lastly,
we describe the usability problem areas, strength and weaknesses on diferent features and sub-features
of e-commerce websites followed by a conclusion.
INTRODUCTION
Due to highly suited capabilities, the World Wide Web continues to generate substantial frustration
among users. The difficulty was downloading content that is text based formats, audio, video and 3D
graphics. Poorly designed websites can lead to lost productivity and revenue.
Web site quality is dependent on the quality of the software. In the early years, the quality of software
provided effective support to develop the websites’ performance. Nevertheless the quality assurance
process became the challenges for the new discipline of website application. There were a number of
experts or organizations who researched on different proposals to improve website quality, including
quality frameworks, criteria, evaluation methodologies, approaches and metrics. In fact, since the website
quality process became a particularly valuable topic which is ongoing and commercially researched,
especially in website quality metrics. A set of metrics has been proposed for quantifying website quality
Quality Assurance Aspects
of Web Design
Sandeep Kumar Panda
KIIT University, India
Santosh Kumar Swain
KIIT University, India