Global website usability issues

Before addressing specific ways to assess web globalization efforts, it is important to outline some basic measures of web usability. After all, no matter what goals a website’s creators may have set for it, the website must allow consumers to interact with the site before those goals can be achieved. Web usability analysis is important for any website development effort, and should be a part of overall website assessment.

In simple terms, website usability can be defined as the ease with which users can find, understand, and use information that is displayed on the website (Keevil, 1998). A generally accepted usability definition is presented by ISO 9241: “The effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction with which specified users achieve specified goals in particular environments.” In tactical terms, web usability is a rating of how easy it is for the user to manipulate website features to accomplish desired goals, such as shopping, finding information, filling out forms, completing order forms, interacting on discussion board or forums, etc. Thus website usability measures the performance of the website in terms of its ability to engage users and allow them to accomplish specified goals.