Website Usability Report

Prepared By: Jacqueline Carlisle Lauren Blake Rhonda Farabee Bridgette Lewis Kaitlin Glenn

Table of Contents

Page 3: Executive summary Page 4: Introduction Page 5: Methodology Page 6: Testing environment Page 7-19: The Usability Test Page 20: Assessment Page 21: Conclusion Page 22-23: Appendix

Executive Summary

Written by six juniors and seniors in Youngstown State Universitys professional writing and editing program, this report explains the process and results of a website usability test designed for Magic Tree Pub and Eatery. The report aims to assist the local business in creating a professional and user-friendly online presence. The test, containing thirteen survey questions targeted toward the websites strengths and weaknesses, focuses on design, content, and navigation. Survey questions provide Magic Tree with feedback from local internet users. Results of the study indicated that the users who spent over five hours per day online navigated Magic Trees website with ease. However, those who spent five hours online per day or less had trouble locating important information. The usability test also revealed that, while the design is visually appealing, all users were unable to purchase items from websites online store, the reservations pages should be clearer and more accessible, the concept of eatery could be better established, broken links were found throughout the site and lastly, some pages were far more developed than others.

Introduction
This usability study was conducted by junior and senior members in the professional writing and editing program at Youngstown State University. The group examined the usability and accessibility of Boardman, Ohios Magic Tree Pub and Eaterys official website. After first examining the website ourselves, we began conducting surveys to simultaneously gain understanding and experience in usability testing, and provide the local business owners with constructive feedback based off test results. Internet users, ages ranging between 14 and 53, took part in usability tests presented as surveys. The surveys were designed, facilitated, and observed by our group members. As a result of this study, students uncover what the majority of participants found overall appealing and unappealing in regard to the websites design, content, and navigation.

Methodology
Before designing the usability test for the Magic Tree Pub and Eaterys website, the site was first reviewed by our group members. Without any previous knowledge of the website, the professional writing and editing students navigated through each portion taking down comments, questions, and concerns while also making note of the websites advanced features. Due to the lack of knowledge of the Magic Pub and Eatery, our group was able to construct questions without bias. Turnouts for willing participants yielded six females and four males ages ranging between fourteen and fifty-three. Upon construction of the test, the group chose users of different demographics and varying technological competency and observed the results. For privacy, participants were only asked to give their age and first name. The original testing environment calls for one member to observe testing, one to ask survey questions and speak to the participants, one to time the participants efforts, one to record times and responses, and another to take notes on each participants progress. With each duty given to a different member, it allows for better observation. The official testing resulted in smaller group collaborations. Smaller groups meant dual roles. During each participants exam, one person asked survey questions and spoke to participants, another timed the participant and took notes, one observed and recorded times and recorded participant answers. Due to this altered setup, members of our group had to focus on multiple aspects of observation, which may to overlooking smaller details. Testing in smaller groups may affect varying results. Based on research of accessibility and usability testing, in addition to our own experiences, our group generated thirteen survey questions targeting design, content, and navigation.

Testing Environment
Prior to the usability test, participants were informed that their time was not the objective of the test, but rather the accessibility of the website itself. Comfortable chairs and room temperature were provided. Kelley, Jordan, Brenda, and Andrew tested in quiet rooms. Alexis, Dave, Kiyana, Sherene, Taylor, and Terrence tested in a school computer lab, which was a noisier setting. All participants were tested on Mozilla Firefox version 3.5 All participants tested on desktop computers.

The Usability Test

Based off research dissecting accessibility and usability testing, in addition to their own experiences, the group generated fourteen survey questions targeting design, content, and navigation. The questions include the following: 1. What browser do you use at home? We asked this question of our participants to see where they were at with technology and the level of usage we were at. Result:

2. How much time do you spend online? This question was asked to see how much experience each user had with the internet. Result:

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3. Type the words Magic Tree into the search bar. What comes up? This question was asked to see the results that came up when Magic Tree was researched. Result:

Results interpreted: Competing with Magic Tree House and Magic Tree: The Run Scape Wiki, and Magic Tree Lore, the Magic Tree Pub and Eatery ranked highest in search results with the Safari web browser.

4. Do you like how the website looks? Does it appeal to the eye? This question was asked to see how the participants felt about the websites design. Result:

Results interpreted: Out of ten users, seven reported that they liked the design. Two users did not, leaving one user undecided. Some users described the graphics as vibrant but others said bland and the photographs selected were fuzzy. A common response was that the Magic Tree logo was clever. The most problems users had were with the background image and color scheme. Some also felt the images selected relied too heavily on alcohol, leaving little room for emphasis on the eatery aspect of the Magic Tree.

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5. Can you find the banquet section? How much is it to hold an event? This question was asked to test the accessability of the websites links and sections. Result:

Results interpreted: Amongst users, there was only a small amount of difficulty face when navigating to the banquet section. Many commented on the appealing design for this section of the website. The main concern here was the lack of pricing information. Since prices were not listed, users tended to begin looking elsewhere, but failed to find the information. A user commented, It would be nice to have an estimated cost.

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Assessment

6. Can you find the hours of operation? Were they hard to find? This question was asked to test the accessibility of the websites links and sections. Result:

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7. Locate the menu. How do you like the design? This question was asked to test the accessibility of the websites menu and also the design of it. Result:

Results interpreted: Most users agreed with the way the menus design, stating that it had a nice setup. Some percipients were concerned that it was too bland and the text was too small, making the menu hard to read. In addition to the visual appeal, the majority of users did not understand the reasoning behind having an extra click required to get to the menu.

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8. If you were a customer trying to order, is it easy to see whats available? This question was asked to test the accessibility of the websites menu. Result:

Results interpreted: The efficiency of the menu was very high. No users had a problem figuring out what kind of food the restaurant sold or the pricing.

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9. Can you find the section where you are able to reserve a table? This question was asked to test the accessibility of the websites links and sections. Result:

Results interpreted: Participants had trouble with accessibility. The average time to find it was around one minute. Unlike the hours of operation, this section of the website was no efficiently placed, therefore, its level of accessibility suffered.

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10. Can you tell me who to contact if I wanted to host a fundraiser? This question was asked to test the accessibility of the websites links and sections. Result:

Results interpreted: Participants unanimously agreed that the fundraising section was very hard to locate. Once they found it, only two participants could figure out who to contact in order to set up an event. The average time to find this information was over a minute.

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11. Pretend you want to buy a shirt. How was your shopping experience? This question was asked to test the accessibility and usability of the websites links and sections. Result:

Results interpreted: None of the participants were able to complete a purchase. Several commented that the experience was very frustrating and confusing. Others wondered why there was no information on their attempt to purchase and why there was no place for their credit card information.

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12. Can you find what kind of beer the Magic Tree serves? This question was asked to test the accessibility of the beer menu. Result:

Results interpreted: The average time to get to beer selections was around thirty seconds. Draft beer was easy to spot and navigate; however, participants were also interested in bottle beers, which were not found on the site.

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Conclusion
13. Can you reflect on the overall design and content of the website? Are you interested in going there? This question was asked to test the accessibility and usability of the website as a whole. Result:

Results interpreted: Seven out of ten participants stated that they would like to go to the Magic Tree Pub and Eatery after their online experience. Overall, most participants had a decent experience with the site but express the majority of their displeasure with navigation and their shopping experiences.

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Assessment
1. Display Color scheme, selected images, layout, fonts, and white space. Participants took a close look at the design and layout of each page. In casual conversation, they were asked about color schemes and visual appeal. Participants were casually asked about images selections and text choices. 2. Content Up-to-date, relevant, easy to understand, and contact information. Participants looked for up-to-date information. In some cases, participants were asked to locate nonexistent information. Basic, but necessary information and services were the main target in this category. 3. Navigation Layout, easy-to-find information, links, and how many clicks it took to find what the participant was looking for. Difficult and easy information targeted to generate responses. Locating information within the survey questions were timed. Links and accessibility targeted.

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Conclusion
In conclusion, the Magic Tree Pub an Eaterys website serves its purpose as a whole. However, there are a few details as far as design, content, and navigation are concerned. We came up with suggestions by reviewing results, and observing participants. Tending to all problem areas detected in the conclusion of this usability test can potentially make for a stronger, user-friendly online presence and increase the professional persona of Magic Tree Pub and Eatery. All concerns, suggestions, and feedback generated from the study are listed below. Avoid excessive amounts of white space. Eatery should be better established. Throughout the website, the idea of Magic Tree being an eatery is lost. Since draft beers are listed, users expected to find the Magic Trees bottled beer selection nearby. A few images were pixilated and others were unnecessary. The website contained broken links. Some sections of the site were much more developed than others.

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Appendix
Participant Biographies: Alexis, 22 - As a telecommunications major scheduled to graduate with a bachelors degree in May, 2013, Alexis has a significant amount of experience dealing with technology. She estimates an average online use of seven hours. Andrew, 22 Majoring in forensic science, Andrew has an excessive amount of experience with technology. Though he estimates a mere four hours per day of time spend navigating websites, particularly sports-themed websites, he spends his time on portable devices and game systems. Brenda, 45 - Brenda has roughly two years of experience with the Internet. The majority of her online background is by means of desktop computers. Brenda prefers basic technology but recently, however, her internet usage has increased to roughly four hours per day, and she has quickly begun to pick up website navigation skills. Dave, 27 With a bachelors degree in graphic design, he focuses on visual content. Dave uses the internet on a daily basis navigating several different websites including social media. He estimates spending approximately six hours online per day. Jordan, 14 As an Eighth grade student, Jordan, estimates spending approximately two hours online daily. Kelley, 53 Before taking an injury-related leave of absence, Kelley worked with computers for thirty-two years Now, with extra time on his hands, he navigates social networking sites. He estimates spending up to six hours online daily. Kiyana, 24 As a medical assistant, she deals with a wide range of technology. She usually navigates social networking sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, in addition to search engines Google and Wiki. Kiyana estimates using the internet two hours daily.

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 Sherene, 23 Pediatric home health aide, Sherene, spends roughly six hours per day online. Her main focus while online are social networking sites, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Distributed by the company she works for, she also is subjected to monthly, online examinations. Taylor, 19 With an estimate of four hours online, Taylor admits to being less technologically savvy. Moderately active on Twitter, she dominantly navigates websites for academic purposes. Terrence, 19 Terrence owns a desktop computer and an HTC mobile phone. He is most comfortable on his desktop, which he estimates using five hours per day, navigating websites for academic purposes, social media, and occasionally for news updates.

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