for more information contact skot@penguinstorm.com or 206.629.8735
Why you need usability is no secret: if people get frustrated with your web site, they’re not going to keep using it. The tricky part is making sure they don’t get frustrated in the first place.
Getting there means using a combination of skills to create a site with the right content, architecture and visual design in order to achieve your goals.
Usability testing can and should be done prior to launch for any project. Like Quality Assurance, Usability Testing shouldn’t be thought of as the last step before your project is launched: it’s an iterative process that’s integral to the success of your project.
Our philosophy of improving usability reflects this: starting with low fidelity prototypes made with pencil and paper, the entire project is storyboarded. These storyboards are shared, reviewed and discussed. Changes are made where necessary. We use paper for lots of reasons - mostly because it's cheap, and easy to make changes.
All of this is the foundation for the visual design. Multiple concepts are built, reviewed, and tested.
One visual design is chosen and then revised until it’s ready for production.
If the development timeline and budget permit, an initial skeleton shell is prepared that allows users to interact with a text only version of the site. Essential graphical elements may be included in this test, but the point is to ensure that the site’s structure and content meet the needs of the target audience.
As the final product is assembled, users are tested using a task driven model to ensure that the site meets the defined standards.
Usability reviews can be done in a number of different ways ranging from simple written reports based on analysis, online testing and surveying to sessions with web site users and participants. A detailed usability review will comment on all aspects of the site - content, architecture and visual design. Contact us for details.
Deliverables. Deliverables vary by project, but always include a usability analysis and report.
Rates. Usability work starts at US$75 per hour. Fixed rates can be negotiated when sufficient project details are available.
Usabilty is a simple concept with powerful possibilities: the success of the iPod is probably the best example. Understanding how to make usable software can be a critical factor in the success of your project.