Creating a visually appealing website is only half the battle. If you want it to be visited, the website must be user-friendly. This means that it should be easy to navigate and find the necessary information, and the purchase process in online stores should be smooth and clear. In this article, you will learn what a website usability analysis is and how to improve a website’s usability.

What is a website usability analysis?

A website audit/usability analysis is a process that evaluates how easy a website is to use. It can be said that this analysis evaluates the website’s user experience and how the website itself can be improved to make this indicator better.

The goal of this analysis is to identify existing gaps that prevent you from achieving a better user experience. These gaps can be unclear website navigation, slow loading speed, or poor compatibility with mobile devices. Fortunately, they can be fixed.

What does a website usability analysis consist of?

There are several essential components that make up a website usability analysis:

• Navigation assessment. It checks whether the menu is intuitive, the links are clear, and users can easily find the information they need;
• Website loading speed assessment. It assesses how quickly the website loads on different devices with different internet connections. Slow loading negatively affects the user experience;
• Mobile compatibility assessment. Nowadays, it is important that a website is convenient to use on all devices, so it should adapt to different screens;
• Content clarity assessment. The content of the website must be clearly presented, easy to read, and relevant. The structure must be clear and understandable;
• Visual hierarchy and design. It checks whether the user’s attention is drawn to important elements on the website, such as login forms and purchase buttons;
• Ease of completing the required actions assessment. It assesses how easy it is to make a purchase, fill out a form, or subscribe to a newsletter;
• Accessibility assessment. It checks whether a website is accessible to people with disabilities and meets certain requirements.

How to improve the usability of a website?

Website usability is beneficial for both users and owners. If a website is not easy to use, the user experience will not be good, and many visitors may leave the website without making a purchase. Here are some ways to improve a website’s usability:

• Test with real users. Test your website with real users who can point out where on the website you are having issues and are having trouble. You can then improve these areas;
• Analyze your website metrics. Tools like Google Analytics can be effective in identifying gaps because they track visitor traffic and provide reports;
• Simplify navigation. Structure elements like menus and links in a clear and intuitive way. Remove unnecessary components;
• Optimize your website speed. Optimize your photos and images, use efficient code. Use reliable website hosting services. This will speed up your website loading speed;
• Improve mobile usability. Ensure your website works well on mobile devices. It should use a responsive design;
• Improve your content structure. Use visuals and break up your content into bullet points to make your website clear and easy to read. Use headings and clear fonts. Place important elements, such as purchase buttons, in easily visible places.

It is important to understand that a website usability analysis is not a one-time process; it must be performed regularly. Since website requirements change, errors can occur constantly. Therefore, after a website audit/usability analysis, the website bug fixing, which helps to eliminate gaps, is important.