Usability checklist for web sites

Navigation

Yes/No

Notes

Current location within the site is shown clearly.

    

Link to the site's main page is clearly identified.

    

Major/important parts of the site are directly accessible from the main page.

    

Navigation links change to show the active page.

    

Site map is provided for a large, complex site.

    

Tabbed navigation displays as part of the active page.

    

Easy-to-use Search function is provided for larger sites.

    

Vistors can find information easily.

    

Navigation is clear and consistent throughout the site.

    

Back button always takes visitors back to the preceding page.

    

If site navigation is in form of images, text-based navigation is also available on the page.

    

If Javascript is used for navigation, text links are also available on the page

    

No dead links appear on pages.

    

Functionality

   

Site accommodates novice to expert users.

    

Functions are clearly labeled.

    

Essential functions are available without leaving the site.

    

Plug-ins are used only if they add value.

    

User Control

   

Site reflects user's workflow.

    

User can cancel any operation.

    

Clear exit point is provided on every page.

    

Per-page size is less than 50 Kb, to accommodate slow connections.

    

All appropriate browsers are supported.

    

Web site is engaging enough for user to feel relaxed and in control.

    

Language and Content

   

Important information and tasks are given prominence.

    

Information of low relevance or rarely used information is not included.

    

Related information or tasks are grouped:
- on the same page or menu.
- in the same area within a page.

    

Language is simple, without jargon.

    

Paragraphs are brief.

    

Links are concise, expressive, and visible--not buried in text.

    

Terms are defined.

    

First screen on your web site portrays business in a distinctive light.

    

Branding appears in a prominent area at the top of the page on all pages of the site.

    

Branding serves as a link back to the home page.

    

Visitors can tell immediately what you sell.

   

Visitors can find an email address, phone number, address, who runs the site. They can quickly find an email for technical support questions.

    

Visitors can quickly find products and descriptions.

    

Links to related products.

    

Visitors can quickly tell what to click on to place an order.

    

Visitors can find your phone number on every page in case they have a question.

    

Visitors can find information about the company and its management.

    

Visitors can find price information.

   

Content is brief and precise. Avoids telling stories.

   

Content is cross-linked to documents or sites with related information.

    

Online Help and User Guides

   

Site is designed to require minimal help and instructions.

    

Help and instructions, if needed, are easily accessible.

    

System and User Feedback

   

Site clearly displays what is happening -- visual hints, user feedback, and so forth.

    

Users can receive email feedback if necessary.

    

Users can give feedback via email or a feedback form.

    

Confirmation screen is provided for form submittal.

    

All system feedback is timely.

    

Users are informed if a plug-in or browser version is required.

    

Each page includes a "last updated" date.

    

Web Accessibility
 

  

W3C Web content and accessibility guidelines

Site follows current web standards:

HTML 4.0, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS1)
Cascading style sheets used for layout and style where possible.

Cascading Stylesheets Level 1

    

The attribute ALT= is used for images, animations, and other objects.

    

Site uses client-side map and text for hotspots.

    

Site provides captioning and transcripts of audio and descriptions of video.

    

Web versions of PDF documents are provided.

    

Link labels make sense when read out of context; site avoids such link names as "click here".

    

Page organization accomplished with headings, lists, and consistent structure.

    

Summaries are provided for graphs and charts, or the LONGDESC attribute is used.

    

Alternative content is provided for scripts, applets, and plug-ins in case these active features are inaccessible or unsupported.

    

For frames pages, site includes the NOFRAMES option and meaningful titles.

    

Line-by-line reading of tables is sensible, and summaries are included where possible.

    

Site has been validated using the W3C HTML Validation Service and the WebXact Checker (formerly known as Bobby).

    

Most important parts of your site are visible without scrolling up and down or from side to side on screens set to 600 x 800 size.

    

Site has been tested and looks the same on different platforms and browsers.

    

Consistency

   

The same word or phrase is used consistently to describe an item.

    

Link reflects the title of the page to which it refers.

    

Browser page title is meaningful and reflects main page heading.

    

Images are used in context with the content.

    

If appropriate, images are clearly described.

    

Content is in sync with the context of the page or site.

    

Error Prevention and Correction

   

Users can rely on recognition, not memory, for successful use of the site.

    

Site tolerates a reasonable variety of user actions.

    

Site provides concise instructions for user actions, including entry format.

    

Error messages are visible, not hidden.

    

Error messages are in plain language.

    

Error messages describe actions to remedy a problem.

    

Error messages provide a clear exit point.

    

Error messages provide contact details for assistance.

    

Architectural and Visual Clarity

   

Site is organized from the user's perspective.

   

Visitors can easily scan site for organization and meaning.

    

Site design and layout is straightforward and concise.

   

Site design and layout are redundant only when required for user productivity.

    

White space is sufficient; pages are not too dense.

   

Unnecessary animation is avoided.

    

Colors used for visited and unvisited links are easily seen and understood.

    

Bold and italic text is used sparingly.

   

Pages load quickly within 10-20 seconds on a standard modem connection.

    

Images are optimized for their file size. Consider cropping a larger image into smaller sections to improve the download speed.

    

Site animations serve a specific, indispensable purpose.  

    

Animations stop. They do not cycle continuously without giving users the option to stop the cycle.

    

If banners exist, ad banner file size is optimized.

   

If banners exist, they are placed on the top right or bottom right side of the page.

    

Horizontal rules are not used to separate content.

Note: These can be interpreted as the end of the page’s useful content.

    

Interface is pleasing, with colors that match the need and personality of site.

    

Layout uses enough white space to separate content, make lists skimmable, and guide visitor’s gaze.

    

Interface is consistent throughout site.