Still Searching or Have You Found It Already? – Usability and Web Design of an Educational Website

Lamberz Julia (), Litfin Thorsten (), Teckert Özlem () and Meeh-Bunse Gunther ()
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Lamberz Julia: University of Applied Sciences Osnabrueck, Faculty of Management, Culture and Technology (Lingen Campus), Lingen, Germany
Litfin Thorsten: University of Applied Sciences Osnabrueck, Faculty of Management, Culture and Technology (Lingen Campus), Lingen, Germany
Teckert Özlem: University of Applied Sciences Osnabrueck, Faculty of Management, Culture and Technology (Lingen Campus), Lingen, Germany
Meeh-Bunse Gunther: University of Applied Sciences Osnabrueck, Faculty of Management, Culture and Technology (Lingen Campus), Lingen, Germany

Business Systems Research, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 19-30

Abstract: Background: Apart from a straight-forward and intuitive operability an appealing design determines the success of a website equally well. For this reason, the selection of images and navigation bars plays a determining role. The eye tracking method proved to be appropriate in order to verify the usability of websites.Objectives: The aim of the study was to improve the usability of the website of an educational institute for trainees as target group.Methods/Approach: For this purpose, the use of an eye-tracking technology was combined with a survey. The eye-tracking study was implemented task-oriented. Test persons were asked to search for particular courses within this institute.Results: This approach in combination with a subsequent questionnaire resulted in tangible indications of search patterns of the test group. Furthermore, their perception and their appraisal of the usability as well as the web design was analysed. Even though most tasks were accomplished effectively and efficiently with a positive user feedback, a potential for improvement was detected, in particular with regard to the images and the location of the search field.Conclusions: The selected choice of methods enables researchers and web designers to derive recommendations for the orientation, structure, optimisation and comprehensibility of a website.

Keywords: eye-tracking; usability evaluation; website usability; web design; images; perception (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M15 M31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bit:bsrysr:v:9:y:2018:i:1:p:19-30:n:2

DOI: 10.2478/bsrj-2018-0002

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