In this week lecture we looked at Heuristic Evaluations.
A heuristic evaluation is a way to check if a website or app is easy to use. Researchers would look at it and compare it to a list of usability guidelines which is the same as called heuristics. They identify any problems that could make it hard for people to use or understand.
The main goal when doing this is to spot issues like confusing buttons, unclear navigation, or designs that just don’t work well, so they can be fixed to improve the overall user experience.
The 10 usability heuristics were created by Jakob Nielsen and are guidelines for designing user-friendly products. Here’s a simple explanation of each:
Visibility of System Status
The product should always let users know what’s happening, like showing a loading bar or confirmation message.
Match Between System and the Real World
Use language and visuals that make sense to users, not complicated tech terms. For example, use a shopping cart icon for online stores.
User Control and Freedom
Let users undo mistakes easily, like a "back" button or an option to cancel actions.
Consistency and Standards
Keep things consistent. Buttons, menus, and terms should work the same way across the product so users don’t get confused.
Error Prevention
Design the product to help users avoid mistakes, like confirming actions before deleting important data.
Recognition Rather Than Recall
Show options clearly so users don’t have to remember things. For instance, autofill suggestions in a search bar.
Flexibility and Efficiency of Use