There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration in order to have a successful website implementation including functionality, visibility, feasibility, presentation, consistency and accessibility.
Websites need to be functional! When users visit a website they should be able to complete the tasks that project stakeholders have intended for them to accomplish without getting lost or encounter any errors.
Visibility and feasibility are equally important. Can you see and easily find website features? Can you understand how the website features operate? Is it clear where the navigation menu item takes the user?
For example, when you visit google.com there is a button named “I’m Feeling lucky”. If you have never clicked on this button, chances are you cannot tell what the button does by simply reading the text.
Is the website accessible? Can all user groups including users with disabilities use the website? For instance could color blind individuals and visually impaired users’ access the content posted on your website or complete set of intended tasks.
Look and feel refers to the presentation of the website. How does the website look? Is it attractive? Many developers believe that website presentation is not important as long as it is functional and users can understand how website features operate.
However, most users, specifically those who are visiting a site for the first time, judge the website based on how it looks. It is more likely for users to bookmark professional and attractive looking websites versus those that are not.
Consistency in the website’s presentation of features like the navigation menus, header, footer, and settings in the body region of the website all fall under the look and feel factor, emphasizing the importance of website presentation.
