Web Site Development Guidelines - Case Study Example

Web and Communication By Author Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Web site Navigation 7 Usability 8 Learnability 8 Efficiency 9 Memorability 9 Errors 9 User Satisfaction 10 Accessibility 10 Conclusion 11 References 11 Abstract This report presents a detailed discussion on the web site development process for a factorial company ‘Discus KL’. We have been assigned a task to design and build a new online presence for the above stated company which sells a range of discus fish (for example Pigeon Blood, Red Turquoise, Neon Blue, Yellow Marlboro, etc.). The basic purpose of this web site development is to provide the people with a facility to view the fish on sale and to make an order. Though, the Discus KL already owns a web site but it is old-fashioned, outdated and needs rebranding. In fact, it has a number of problems including XHTML errors, and accessibility and design issues. Thus, keeping in mind the problems faced by the customers while using their current web site Discus KL has decided to implement a new and up to date web site for their business. The basic purpose of putting into practice a new web site is to economically promote their business and allow their customers to shop by sitting at their homes. Moreover, this web site will allow the customers to place an order online by filling an online form. As a result, the order details will be received by the Discus KL firm and they will deliver the product to their customer. This report covers the theoretical portion of the web site development project. In this scenario, this report outlines KL aims to provide a high quality service providing detailed information on the fish available, while projecting a distinctive image. Introduction Most of the ways businesses and individuals carry out their day to day activities and live on in this ever-increasing competitive environment are determined through the huge web of electronic networks that is generally known as the Internet (Turban et al., 2005). In fact, by replacing traditional and old-fashioned paper-based and manual techniques with web based and automated operations, and with advanced information flows in state-of-the-art and vigorous manners, the Internet does not only provide the business organizations with a wonderful facility to increase speed of business operations such as ordering, production, supply, delivery, and payment for products, services and goods but as well reduces the operating and inventory expenses of the business organizations (Laudon & Laudon, 1999, p.25). In addition, at the present a web site has become an excellent tool for carrying out business operations, creating and putting into practices most modern tools and technologies for the organizations to stay in touch with other partners and their customers. In this way, a web site presents an excellent way for carrying out business activities over the Internet (Norton, 2001, p.371). This report will present an overview of the process of web site development for Discus KL (which is a fictional company). Discus KL deals in a wide variety of discus fish (for example Pigeon Blood, Red Turquoise, Neon Blue, Yellow Marlboro, etc.). At the present, this organization is operating via a traditional web site, which does not offer adequate support for the business. In this way, Discus KL is not able to communicate with its customers effectively. In addition, the present web site of the Discus KL has a number of problems including XHTML errors, and accessibility and design issues. Thus, keeping in mind the ever-increasing importance of a modern web site in today’s competitive environment the management of the Discus KL has decided to improve their web site and implement a most modern web based structure. In this scenario, this report will outline the basic needs and aspects of the web site. Implementation of a New Solution As discussed above, in the current business environment a web site has become an essential and excellent tool for the promotion of a business. Though, Discus KL is already using a web site to distribute information, but the current web site is not offering considerable support for the business. In addition, the current web site of Discus KL encompasses various errors and problems. As a result, it does not facilitate the business to get full advantage of latest technology. Thus, keeping in mind all these aspects, the management of Discus KL has decided to implement a latest solution. This new solution will effectively deal with the problems of previous web site and will allow the business to facilitate its customers. In this way customers will be able to place orders and search for the desired products online. Corporate Goals For the business of Discus KL Corporation, the development and implementation of a web based system is aimed at modernizing the overall business process, facilitating customers, and gaining a competitive edge. In addition, Discus KL believes that the implementation of an up-to-date web site will potentially improve the business performance along with the overall working capability. As discussed above, Discus KL aims to provide a high quality service providing detailed information on the fish available, while projecting a distinctive image. Additionally, the implementation of this modern web site will revolutionize the traditional business practice of Discus KL business. In this scenario, Discus KL business has also established some of the other objectives such as: Gaining extensive access to the local and international customers Increasing the business income and improving reputation Getting a competitive edge over other businesses Getting easy and extensive access to the huge customer market Improving overall business performance Implementing high quality and automated business dealings Facilitating customers with support at 24x7 basis Target Customer/Audience We are going to develop a web site by keeping in mind the specific features of our audience. In this scenario, Table1 outlines the characteristics of our targeted customers. So, we have to develop a web site that can better address the needs of these people. Table 1typical Target Customers Gender Both male and female Age 35-60 Income Generally a high disposable income IT literacy Average general IT skills. Quite frequent computer and web use for e.g. news, banking and shopping. Needs Easy to use site Good level of graphics Detailed and clear information Easy means of placing an order for at least one fish Ability to access the site regardless of any disability Ability to access the site from multiple browsers and screen sizes Web Site Development Guidelines In light of above discussed scenario and audience of the web site, we will discuss the strategies that should be adopted to make this web site more fruitful. Web site Navigation In order to make the web site of Discus KL more effective and catch the attention of its users, an excellent set of graphic navigation and interactive communication links inside web-pages will be useful. Additionally, we will allow the users with their own steady and expected set of navigation buttons because it will help the users to understand the structure, logic and organization of our website (Lynch & Horton, 2004). Basically, “website navigation is an implementation or document of table of contents”. In other words, it facilitates web site visitors to imagine where they are on the web site, where they have been, and where they have to move in order to access the right information. In addition, straightforward and understandable web site navigation is important for the success of any system or application. Additionally, a web site should allow its users to move from page to page with connecting links, menu items or buttons (Poteet, 2007). In case of Discus KL web site, our audience is 35-60 years old, so their learning power will be less as compared to young people. And also they do not have IT background so we need to provide them with an excellent navigational capability. Usability Usability is a process of measuring the interactive user experience connected with a web site. It is an admitted fact that a user-friendly web site makes it simple for its users to search for the desired information, support users actions and meet organization’s objectives proficiently and efficiently, and is pleasing and appealing to utilize (UsabilityFirst, 2011). In fact, web site usability is a quality related attribute of the system development that identifies how easy to use web site interface is. In addition, the term "usability" as well outlines the strategies that can be adopted for improving accessibility all through the design process. In web site development the usability describes 5 quality components that we will keep in mind while developing web site of Discus KL: (Nielsen, 2011; Dix et al., 2003) Learnability This attribute of the usability helps us determine how simple is it for clients to complete fundamental jobs the first time they come across the design? In case of Discus KL we should keep in mind our intended audience as they are not IT experts so it should be easy for them to learn the usage of this web site. Efficiency This factor is about user’s learnability that one has understood the system design and how quickly and easily they are able to carry out jobs? Thus, keeping in mind the competitor’s design we should offer an efficient web site that would be easy to understand. Memorability If a customer is using a web site after a period of not making use of it, how simply they are able to reinstate skill? In case of Discus KL we will use attractive images that will catch the intention of its users and it will be easy for them to keep remember this web site. We can also use a Macromedia Flash header in which the picture if fishes moves one by one in slideshow format. It will catch the intention of its users. Errors This attribute of web site design deals with the error and issues faced by users while making use of the web site, how harsh are these issues or errors, and how simply are able to they recover from the errors? We have seen a variety of errors in previous version of Discus KL’s web site. So we will keep in mind these mistakes while developing a new version of Discus KL’s web site. User Satisfaction How enjoyable is it to make use of the web site? We will provide small and interesting clips of fishes which will gain the interest of their users. In this way our customers will better know about their choices. Accessibility Accessibility basically deals with the requirements of people with disabilities and helps them to make use of a web site effectively. In fact, accessibility deals with the process of making user interfaces perceivable, operable and logical for people with a variety of disabilities or practical limitations such as visual, auditory, speech, physical, cognitive and neurological disabilities (Lawton, 2007; Lynch & Horton, 2004). As we know, our customers can include people with certain limitation so we will offer following accessibility facilities while developing this web site: (PTG GLOBAL, 2011; Lynch & Horton, 2004; Lawton, 2007) Built-in customizing selections (for instance we will allow them to make changes to styles and font sizes, mouse appearance and also some keyboard operation, changes) Easy to use and built-in aids (we will provide them with the facilities such as read aloud choices, magnification) Options for input devices (substitute keyboards, voice input programs, different mouse) Vision technology (screen magnifiers, screen readers, text-to-speech software, etc.) Conclusion A web site is an excellent tool for attracting and maintaining customers. We have been asked to develop a new web site for the business of Discus KL. This report has presented a detailed analysis of new web site of Discus KL in light of given requirements. In this report we have discussed various features of a good web site. We have discussed the features that we will add in our new web site to catch the attention of our customers. This report has suggested various actions keeping in mind the requirements of its customers. This report has also outlined the requirements of disable people and in light of those requirements it has suggested the ways to make this web site according to their standards. References Dix, A., Finlay, A.J.E., Abowd, G.D. & Beale, R., 2003. Human-Computer Interaction. 3rd ed. Prentice Hall. Laudon, K.C. & Laudon, J.P., 1999. Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition. 6th ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Lin, L.-Y. & Levin, J.A., 2010. Consistency vs. Multiplicity in Interface Design:Limitations of Single Interface Metaphors. [Online] Available at: http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/tta/papers/lin-levin/ [Accessed 19 July 2012]. Lynch & Horton, 2004. Accessibility. [Online] Available at: http://webstyleguide.com/wsg2/interface/access.html [Accessed 20 July 2012]. Lynch & Horton, 2004. Navigation. [Online] Available at: http://webstyleguide.com/wsg2/interface/navigate.html [Accessed 22 October 2011]. Nielsen, J., 2011. Usability 101: Introduction to Usability. [Online] Available at: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20030825.html [Accessed 18 July 2012]. Norton, P., 2001. Introduction to Computers, Fourth Edition. Singapore: McGraw-Hill. Poteet, C., 2007. Objectives in User Interface Design. [Online] Available at: http://www.siolon.com/blog/objectives-in-user-interface-design/ [Accessed 18 July 2012]. PTG GLOBAL, 2011. Accessibility and user interface design. [Online] Available at: http://www.ptg-global.com/PDFArticles/Accessibility%20and%20user%20interface%20design%20v1.0.pdf [Accessed 21 July 2012]. Stair, R.M. & Reynolds, G.W., 2003. Principles of Information Systems, Sixth Edition. Toronto : Thomson Learning, Inc. Turban, E., Leidner, D., McLean, E. & Wetherbe, J., 2005. Information Technology for Management: Transforming Organizations in the Digital Economy. New York: Wiley. UsabilityFirst, 2011. Introduction to User-Centered Design. [Online] Available at: http://www.usabilityfirst.com/about-usability/introduction-to-user-centered-design/ [Accessed 20 July 2012]. Read More