Web applications promote brand building, attract new clients, enhance customer loyalty and help your business save money by boosting efficiency. However, to achieve all that, your web application usability must be top-notch. To make sure it is, you need to check some particular aspects when setting it up. They include navigation, content, CTA buttons, and quite a few more.
Ultimate Web Application Usability Checklist
1. Navigation
Web app navigation testing must go beyond checking for bugs. Navigation is what determines the ease of use, so it will ultimately decide whether people enjoy using your software. When testing this aspect, one must ask the following questions:
- How easy is the app to use?
- Are navigation buttons consistent throughout the app (size, design, placement)?
- Are the instructions clear and easy to understand?
- Does the app instruction provide sufficient information?
- Is there access to the main menu on every page?
- Is the web app flow from page to page logically?
- Is the app pages design consistent?
- How easy is it to return to the previous page/step?
When testing web application usability in navigation, consider that its future users won’t have any prior knowledge about it. That’s why you should always get some independent source to check the solution. Launching a trial run would also help collect more data.
When choosing a service to do the check, find one that specializes in rooting out imperfections in every aspect. For example, web testing by A1QA always includes a usability check that determines whether the navigation is intuitive. It goes hand in hand with security, compatibility, performance, and functionality tests.
2. Content
Some people are surprised to find out that a web application usability check includes a detailed analysis of its content. This test looks at not only the content quality but its design as well. For example, using too many dark and/or bright colors makes the text harder to read. It’s the same for elaborate fonts.
Simplicity and minimalism are the trends of today, so be sure to use them. If you want your app to be truly unique in every detail, have your developer create original fonts and backgrounds. However, they should be inspired by popular models as these have already proven their efficiency.
In regards to content quality ask:
- Are there any spelling or grammar mistakes?
- Is the content appropriate for the apppage theme?
- Is the content easy to understand for everyone?
- Is the content meaningful?
- Are all links working properly?
- Are the images scalable?
Try to reduce your in-app content as too many words and images will make it harder to navigate. When hiring a web app development or testing service, make sure it specializes in your industry. This way, it will be able to assess your content properly. For example, Mindfire Solutions have experience in retail, e-commerce, transportation, healthcare, mobile, and publishing.
3. Efficiency
Your web application usability check must include an in-depth analysis of its every use-related aspect. Some questions to guide you through it are:
- Is there a Help feature? How easy is it to find? How easy is it to use?
- Are the selections clear, logical, and easy to navigate?
- How many CTA buttons are on one page? (never make more than one)
- How much scrolling does the user have to do?
- Are app screens easily resizable?
- Are menus logical and easy to navigate?
- How many search options are there?
- How can users customize your web app with their choices/actions?
- Are there any annoying pop-ups?
- Are confirmation messages clear?
- Is every message or CAT easy to understand?
Web Application Usability Testing by Pros
Checking the usability of your web application is a must-have step as it can measure its actual quality and performance. Have this test performed by independent pros as one can notice more with an unbiased ‘fresh’ look.
