These guidelines include most factors to consider
during a usability evaluation of a web site. Not all factors apply
to every site.
The guidelines are a work in progress. Check back
periodically for a new version.
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Rating |
Explanation for Rating |
| Current location within the site
is shown clearly |
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| Link to the site's main page is clearly
identified |
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| Major/important parts of the site
are directly accessible from the main page |
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| Site map is provided for a large,
complex site |
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| Easy to use Search function is provided,
as needed |
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Rating |
Explanation for
Rating |
| Site accommodates novice to expert
users |
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| Functions are clearly labeled |
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| Essential functions are available
without leaving the site |
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| Plug-ins are used only if they add
value |
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Rating |
Explanation for
Rating |
| Site reflects user's workflow |
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| User can cancel any operation |
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| Clear exit point is provided on every
page |
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| Per-page size is less than 50K, to
accommodate slow connections |
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| All appropriate browsers are supported
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Rating |
Explanation for
Rating |
| Important information and tasks are
given prominence |
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| Information of low relevance or rarely
used information is not included |
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Related information or tasks are
grouped:
- on the same page or menu
- in the same area within a page |
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| Language is simple, without jargon |
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| Paragraphs are brief |
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| Links are concise, expressive, and
visible--not buried in text |
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| Terms are defined |
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Online
Help and User Guides |
Rating |
Explanation for
Rating |
| Site is designed to require minimal
help and instructions |
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| Help and instructions, if needed,
are easily accessible |
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| |
Rating |
Explanation for
Rating |
| It is always clear what is happening
on the site -- visual hints, etc. |
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| Users can receive email feedback
if necessary |
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| Users can give feedback via email
or a feedback form |
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| Confirmation screen is provided for
form submittal |
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| All system feedback is timely |
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| Users are informed if a plug-in or
browser version is required |
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| Each page includes a "last updated"
date |
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Rating |
Explanation for Rating |
Site follows current web standards;
HTML 4.0, Cascading
Style Sheets (CSS1)
Cascading Style Sheets are used for layout and style where possible |
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Images
and animations
The attribute ALT= is used for images, animations,
and other objects |
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Image
maps
Site uses client-side map and text for hotspots |
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Multimedia
Site provides captioning and transcripts of audio and descriptions
of video |
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| Web versions of PDF documents are
provided |
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| Link labels make sense when read
out of context; site avoids such link names as "click here" |
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Page
organization
Accomplished with headings, lists, and consistent structure |
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Graphs
and charts
Summaries are provided for graphs and charts, or the LONGDESC
attribute is used |
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Scripts,
applets, & plug-ins
Alternative content is provided for
scripts, applets, and plug-ins in case these active features
are inaccessible or unsupported |
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Frames
For frames pages, site includes the NOFRAMES option and meaningful
titles |
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Tables
Line-by-line reading of tables is sensible, and summaries
are included where possible |
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Validation
Site has been validated using the W3C's HTML
Validation Service and the Bobby
Accessibility Checker |
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| Site has been tested on a variety
of platforms (UNIX, Windows, Mac) and browsers (Netscape 3,
4, 6, 7; IE 5, 6; lynx) |
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Rating |
Explanation for
Rating |
| The same word or phrase is used consistently
to describe an item |
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| Link reflects the title of the page
to which it refers |
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| Browser page title is meaningful
and reflects main page heading |
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Error
Prevention and Correction |
Rating |
Explanation for
Rating |
| Users can rely on recognition, not
memory, for successful use of the site |
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| Site tolerates a reasonable variety
of user actions |
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| Site provides concise instructions
for user actions, including entry format |
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| Error messages are visible, not hidden
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| Error messages are in plain language |
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| Error messages describe actions to
remedy a problem |
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| Error messages provide a clear exit
point |
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| Error messages provide contact details
for assistance |
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Architectural
and Visual Clarity |
Rating |
Explanation for
Rating |
| Site is organized from the user's
perspective |
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| Site is easily scannable for organization
and meaning |
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| Site design and layout is straightforward
and concise |
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| Site design and layout are redundant
only when required for user productivity |
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| White space is sufficient; pages
are not too dense |
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| Unnecessary animation is avoided |
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| Colors used for visited and unvisited
links are easily seen and understood |
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| Bold and italic text is used sparingly
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