Having the best looking site on the internet isn't going to contribute a single penny to your bottom line unless people can use it. Some of Egghead Design's staff used to design products, and their approach leads to more useable sites - which makes a better return for your business.
Don't Rely on Just a Web Designer
Unfortunately, web designers are about the worst people to decide whether a site is "useable" by non-specialist, non-technical individuals (i.e. your visitors), so relying just on a web designer can be a bad decision. Having said that, there are some web design companies out there who make usability a mind-bogglingly complex (read: seriously expensive) and time consuming activity.
Our Approach to Usability
We combine our experience and knowledge with:
- Current Usability Research - what works for other people
- Product Design Principles - things such as consistency, clarity, simplicity
- Competitive Research - what your competitors do
Testing
Some web design companies insist on carrying out usability testing (i.e. getting typical users to try the site out). We don't. It can be a very good idea, and we have effective low cost methods of testing designs, but we never insist on it.
What's Next?
Sorry to bang on about it, but signing up for our newsletter is a good idea. We often include tips on usability in it. If you'd like us to check out your existing site, ask for a free site evaluation - we'll give you an unbiased view on its usability.