<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Background:</bold> 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.<bold>Objectives:</bold> The aim of the study was to improve the usability of the website of an educational institute for trainees as target group.<bold>Methods/Approach:</bold> 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.<bold>Results:</bold> 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.<bold>Conclusions:</bold> The selected choice of methods enables researchers and web designers to derive recommendations for the orientation, structure, optimisation and comprehensibility of a website.</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.

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

University of Applied Sciences Osnabrueck

Faculty of Management, Culture and Technology (Lingen Campus)

Business Systems Research Journal

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Background: Apart from a straight-forward and intuitive operability an appealing design determines the success of a website equally well. For this reason, the...

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

Published Online: Apr 25, 2018

Page range: 19 - 30

Received: Dec 15, 2017

Accepted: Jan 22, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bsrj-2018-0002

Keywords
eye-tracking, usability evaluation, website usability, web design, images, perception

© 2018 Julia Lamberz et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

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

Published Online: Apr 25, 2018

Page range: 19 - 30

Received: Dec 15, 2017

Accepted: Jan 22, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bsrj-2018-0002

Keywordseye-tracking, usability evaluation, website usability, web design, images, perception

© 2018 Julia Lamberz et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
eye-tracking, usability evaluation, website usability, web design, images, perception