What makes a great website? There
are many ways to measure the effectiveness and quality of a website. I selected
www.aitkenspence.com to check usability since it is a very popular among corporate
sector because it provides much diversified services to the peoples. To analyze
the user friendliness of particular website is the main objective of this measurement.
This will be done by using four sub topics; Accessibility, Identity,
Navigation, and Content. Let’s check these dimensions through http://www.aitkenspence.com/
Accessibility
Ø Site load-Time is really quick. Just
within 3-5 seconds time whole site is loaded. It saves viewers time and avoids visits
to other websites while visiting there website.
Ø Adequate text to background contrast is
highly available because the contrasting combination of text colors is very
attractive. The background is purely white and the headings and other content appear
in color blue. Not only that their images are very natural and colorful.
Ø Font size/spacing is easy to read where
topics are highlighted in big font size and different font color but the small fonts
are little bit small and it’s eye straining for the viewers. Once viewers click
on a link it takes them to the relevant detail document. Line spacing is adequate
in that page.
Ø Flash & add‐ons are used sparingly as it does not disturb the viewers from advertisements
and etc. But the top banner keeps on changing according to the theme.
Ø ALT tags for Images are not found
in Aitken Spence website.
Ø Site has custom not‐found/404 page: This site does not contain custom not
found page. It just gives directions to viewers where they want to go.
Identity
Ø Company logo is prominently placed: There is no specific logo to the company
they just use their name as a company logo with a different font style and with
light blue color. It is at the left top corner of their website.
Ø Tagline makes company’s purpose clear: There is no tagline to the company it can be seen as a little drawback of the
company. As a reputed company in Sri Lanka it’s better to have tagline since they
are very much diversified.
Ø Home‐page is digestible in 5 seconds:
By just looking at
the website it gives some ideas to the viewers because there are colorful
images and relevant tabs grab the viewer’s attention. We just want to spend
less than 5 seconds time to go through the website main page.
Ø Clear path to company information
facility is available at the
left top corner of the page it directs viewers to the company profile. There
also different five subheadings which provide company information separately.
It makes easy to viewers to find information separately according to their requirement.
Not only that they also share some corporate videos in their page that is plus
point of their website.
Ø Clear path to contact information is also available and
giving the viewer contact details to keep in touch and provide services for their
needed. The beauty of that
page is that they provide the customers online form to fill if any one who wish to apply for positions at Aitken Spence they
requested to forward their CVs to vacancies@aitkenspence.lk.They just think about corporate responsibly through their website.
Navigation
Ø Main navigation is easily identifiable as the above image shows
aitkenspence.com has clear navigations at the top of the page and middle which
is easy to find and read.
Ø Navigation labels are clear & concise as they are in block capital letters
with a blue background.
Ø Number of buttons/links is reasonable as they have different shapes of buttons
since they are providing diversify service. Each of those paths takes viewers
to the relevant place and provides more information.
Ø Company logo is linked to home‐page as when we click logo it’s automatically
take us to the home page.
Ø Links are consistent & easy to identify as they show every links are some kind
of similar and they are very easy to identify.
Ø Site search is easy to access as I mention above there is no search
button in this website.
Content
Ø
Major headings are clear & descriptive as I said before the
important tabs (Home, About us, Sustainability and etc..) are very clearly viewers
easily can find what they want to find. Headings are placed in different color
background the purpose of clutch their attention.
Ø Critical content is above the “fold” :
Since they are working in different sectors they unable to present critical content above the fold. Home page
just shows only paths and most important information only.
Ø Styles and colors are
consistent as the different font sizes, colors and shapes use throughout
the website. Most of the time they use color blue with a white background that
is very eye catching and also use different light colors.
Ø Emphasis (bold, etc.) is used sparingly as everything is not in bold but most of headings are
in color blue. The important titles are in bold, but the descriptions are in
normal text.
Ø Ads & pop‐ups are not found
Ø Main copy is concise & explanatory: The main page of the site consist of
all the required information for the viewer.
Ø URLs are meaningful & user‐friendly: The URLs given, direct the viewer to
the other websites mentioned without any problems. For eg. Adaaran, Heritance and Aitken Spence Hotels sites