Web Site Usability Almanac 2004

The Web Site Usability Almanac 2004 is a landmark study in the usability of commercial and non-profit web sites, with an eye on customer service and automation. The Almanac represents the output of a joint research initiative sponsored by Sterling Audits' own research staff and its research affiliates. The research base includes thousands of web sites from 9 industry segments including: Communications; Financial Services; Government; Healthcare; Insurance; Manufacturing; Retail; Transportation; and Utilities.The Almanac concentrates on survey results of each web site in five critical areas: Navigation; Content; Usability; Interactivity; and Credibility. Scores for these critical areas are be tabulated using the Sterling Audits Research Portal software. Research questions are crystallized into small chunks of data that bubble up to the five focus areas mentioned above. Over 200 data points are used from each web site. Each of the five critical areas is assigned 20 points out of a possible 100. Weights are used in each area based on the criticality of the item.The Almanac is arranged by chapter. There is an introductory chapter, a chapter on approach and methodology - and the rest are dedicated to the survey results in the five critical areas. There are over 200 graphs and charts in this almanac. We list the upper quartile, median and lower quartile averages for each category.Margulies, Edwin is the author of 'Web Site Usability Almanac 2004' with ISBN 9780974993522 and ISBN 0974993522.