Website Interface/Ecommerce Re-design - Research Paper Example

E-commerce Re-design # Tasks chosen to support evaluation Evaluation of this prototype is based on determining if clients are able to communicate effectively with a visible language; information communicated can be easily perceived by visitors to the site; the site is kept simple and principled; contents are written in short and concise phrases that customers can understand with ease and quickly; the design allow users to see for themselves the functions available for their use; both dynamic and static contents are used in concise to manage users’ attention; good navigation principles are used i.e. horizontal navigation; and lastly determining if the site allows users to explore the available services by themselves and not driving them to sign in or register, which may be unnecessary for first visitors who are just interested in having a look at the produces and services you offer (A study of on-line retailing 2000 – Forrester Research: www.forrester.com). In summary, all evaluation tasks are aimed at determined to establish the core recommendations from both end-users’ point of view and the system administrators’. Being a site intended for communication, the developments structure should be based on a simpler algorithm that will avoid debugging and error messages. # How inspection was conducted A survey on the usability statistics was carried out to know the level of customers’ comfort while using this system as compared to their expectations. In this one would wish to know how much secure are the customers when they provide their personal details into the system during their purchase, for this instance, every details feed into the system should be encrypted. Levels of utility and usability must be in place to determine success of the websites by making sure that the design is user-centric. Always establish if all pages’ contents provide users with what they need or expect, the need for accuracy. Simple interfaces enable users to scan through quickly and understand its contents. Lastly, page contents should lead any reader or customer sequentially to ensure that they don’t get lost in between. # Results of the inspection Outcomes of the study revealed a number of factors that were already taken into account in the prototype and only a few that needed to be considered. Among the requirements realized but had been considered were the need to navigate through the web pages easily without getting lost or loosing direction; sequential flow of information i.e. the drop-down menu, just as other links on the control panel, direct users to the complete and direct relevant pages. In addition to direct links, browsing options are subdivided into two major categories “Shop Decoration” and “Shop furniture.” For professionals who wished to brows and shop according to their tastes were also not left out. Contrary to the above factors, a few issues were left that should be readdressed or simplicity and easy use of the system minding that all users – professionals and nonprofessionals should find a lot of ease in using the system. First, so many pages (15 in numbers) were considered too much as one could not go through all of them. There was also need to device techniques that could have viewers attentions kept to the site; otherwise after the first visit one would never revisit the site. # Redesign based on results With light shade from the survey results, certain aspects on the prototype will need redesigning to suit the recommendable key factors which will see into it that the purpose for which this site was designed, developed and implemented is achieved: i. Personal details: It is true that most customers are never comfortable with feeding in so much of their personal details into any systems. This point is in effect to the section of new customers’ registration, picture 6, where a user is either expected to register or sign in. Signing in or registering will be a barrier to the potential customers who are not willing to do so but are ready to purchase your products. ii. Too much pictures and graphics should be avoided. Reasons being; in regions with poor network receptions such pages will not load appropriately and most visitors would prefer getting simple text matching their search to beautiful graphics with little or no descriptions. This is in regards to the first two pages with considerably much pictures. iii. All contents of the pages should be presented to the capabilities of the end users. Factors that allow for effective communication such as legibility, readability, texture, typography color should be enhanced. iv. A designer should be economical by ensuring that the most is done with the least amount of indicators and visual aids. Always take into account the rules of simplicity, distinctiveness and clarity to stand out among many. #Test reports It is a fact that creating a perfect online commerce is not an easy exercise in case one has done enough research on its strengths, weaknesses, recommendations and benefits. Building on the benefits alone is never the road to success but rather building remedies to assist in case of any failures. E-commerce’s understanding requires prompt implementation of e-business plan upon which the success will build (Turban E., Lee J., King D. and Chung H.M., 1999). Considering the prototype, test reports (some of which are for the design while others are against) were identified as discussed in the following two paragraphs. In coming up with such a prototype, there were several factors considered such as the appearance; good graphics that go hand in hand with the line of operation of the business; communication measures put in place to ensure effective links between the business and its customers, flexibility in terms of transactions methods to use, communication means to use i.e. through telephone calls, e-mail, website links e.t.c. Beside, a good database must have been structured to carry all that information intended for the site. All these factors were built with the business in mind. The number of pages (15 pages) appended to this website are be too many for a customer to check through in a single sitting hence pages with almost similar content should be merged. Registration or signing in should be made optional and only to those who are for purchasing goods with limited but necessary information required. Too many pictures on the first look at the site will not be the best for you. Preferably, allow for your site visitors to search for themselves what they wish to see. Work Cited Turban E., Lee J., King D. and Chung H. M., Electronic Commerce: A Managerial Perspective. Prentice Hall, 1999. Read More