User Centred Design

The usability of a website has a significant impact on its success. As such the user must be at the heart of the design process.

'User centred design' means that users are involved from the very start of a project, right through each stage to the final deployment. This includes the users having input when determining their goals, developing user profiles, and task analysis. During the design and development, all iterations and prototypes (even paper based ones) can quickly be tested with users. By taking a user centred design approach, user testing and expert evaluation can be conducted at the stages in development where the most valuable feedback and return on investment can be realised.

By validating early and often with users, a great user experience is built into the design and the site is more likely to:

• sell more
• hold a customer's attention for longer
• encourage more frequent visits
• reinforce corporate reputation