2004

Welcome to the summer edition of USEworthy. In this issue, we focus on User Centred Design (UCD). We explain how The Usability Company helped ensure users were at the heart of Bradford & Bingley's Marketplace website redesign and talk you through our approach to User Centred Design in this case study. The project involved a combination of tools and services including our online research tool WebIQ, Usability Evaluations including user testing, Information Architecture and an Accessibility Audit. The Marketplace website www.marketplace.co.uk was launched successfully in June!
 

Jennifer Thomson, latest recruit to the Usability Practice here at The Usability Company, gives the highly anticipated Napster website the once-over for Internet World magazine in the article, “Napster has gone legal but just how does it shape up in the usability stakes?” Jennifer points out that the Napster site, although difficult to sign up to, rewards users with a variety of usable, useful and just pure fun features once they get started! If you would like The Usability Company to assess how well your website shapes up for Internet World magazine, please drop me a line at funmi@theusabilitycompany.com.

In "Net Usable Web Profits", Paul Blunden, CEO of The Usability Company, discusses the opportunities he believes are afforded to companies through international expansion for the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s (CIM) Technology newsletter. This is a highly topical discussion in light of this year’s May 1 European expansion of the EU.

Paul illustrates the importance of usability through the optimisation of websites to attract and satisfy international clients and customers. "It is our view, and to some extent our experience, that organisations operating online in more than one geography will identify the need for a consistent approach to web development that delivers optimum performance in every country of operation…they will require suppliers that have the expertise in the areas of specialisation such as usability and User Centred Design but that can deliver services locally, understanding the cultural and behavioural differences between users. Not just a consultant that is prepared to travel!"

New recruit

The Usability Company would like to give a big welcome to Toni McCloggan, who joined us in May as our Office Manager. Toni will be meeting and greeting our test participants as well as keeping the office and all of us in order!

Online Customer Experience Forum, April 6

The Usability Company, WebAbacus whichspecialises in web analytics, Gomez whichspecialises in website performance, together withBarclays as guest speaker, joined forces to present our combined knowledge and insight on online customer experience management at thisforum, April 6. The seminar provided an overview of the ways in which accurate measurement and analysis of site usage can inform usability management.

The speakersexplained the methods and metrics needed to capture the behaviour, intentions and attitudes of customers, while highlighting the necessary processes to leverage these customer insights for improving the customer experience.

NMA Effectiveness Awards

The New Media Age Effectiveness Awards 2004 took place in May. As mentioned in the spring edition of USEworthy, The Usability Company was asked to perform the role of sole usability auditor for the Awards. This year, the Awards attracted over 600 entries with just 20 winners and 13 commendations. The winners covered the entire spectrum of new media, from the biggest brands to small start-ups. The Grand Prix winner of the night was MU.tv!

Mike Nutley, Editor of The New Media Age said in the Awards’ Book of The Night, “We're also grateful to The Usability Company, which assessed the usability of all the long listed entries, allowing us to put usability at the heart of the Judging process. In doing so I believe we've raised the bar again and ensured this year's winners are even more deserving of your attention”… If you would like to know more about the short listed entries and winners, go to the New Media Zero website.

CBBC Usability Guidelines

Catriona Campbell, Chairman and co-founder of The Usability Company has been assisting CBBC with the creation of its Usability Guidelines document. “Talking with Catriona has been incredibly helpful, not only for her advice regarding user testing but also for sharing her knowledge of the recent disabilities guidelines which have been put in place,' from CBeebies and CBBC Interactive. The BBC intend to put the guidelines on their website for public education when they are finalised.

Interactive City 2004

Catriona Campbell was also invited to speak at Interactive City June 7. Interactive City, in association with the New Media Age, is a convention devoted to digital technologies and the web. This year's event showcased the strengths and expertise of the UK's ICT sector with debate and discussion on the very latest developments in the industry. Catriona spoke about web advertising and accountability, demonstrating web analytics as a useful tool to measure return on investment for businesses wishing to advertise on the web. For more information, see www.interactive-city.com.

Virtual Gaming Forum

Marty Carroll, Director of Usability Practice at The Usability Company was asked to hold a workshop at this year's Virtual Gaming Forum, June 28-30. The event, designed entirely in the form of roundtables and discussion pods, is one of the major events in the diaries of the online gaming sector's key players. Marty's workshop discussed the importance and application of usability in successful site design and marketing under the heading 'a view of the market winners and losers'.

e-Consultancy Roundtable on Usability and Accessibility

Catriona Campbell also took part in the e-Consultancy Roundtable, June 24, which covered the latest issues, trends and best practice for usability and accessibility. Details of the roundtable can be found on the e-Consultancy website at www.e-consultancy.com.

The Usability Company helped ensure users were at the heart of Bradford & Bingley's website redesign.

With much anticipation, Napster recently launched their legal, paid music download service in the UK, www.napster.co.uk , after making its US debut back in October 2003.

The expansion of the European Union on May 1st 2004, will certainly provide many new doors for you to open in e-business and in IT more generally.