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Assessing a Firm's Web Presence: A Heuristic Evaluation Procedure for the Measurement of Usability

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  • Ritu Agarwal

    (Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, Van Munching Hall, College Park, Maryland 20742-1815)

  • Viswanath Venkatesh

    (Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, Van Munching Hall, College Park, Maryland 20742-1815)

Abstract

Web site usability is a critical metric for assessing the quality of a firm's Web presence. A measure of usability must not only provide a global rating for a specific Web site, ideally it should also illuminate specific strengths and weaknesses associated with site design. In this paper, we describe a heuristic evaluation procedure for examining the usability of Web sites. The procedure utilizes a comprehensive set of usability guidelines developed by Microsoft.We present the categories and subcategories comprising these guidelines, and 7discuss the development of an instrument that operationalizes the measurement of usability. The proposed instrument was tested in a heuristic evaluation study where 1,475 users rated multiple Web sites from four different industry sectors: airlines, online bookstores, automobile manufacturers, and car rental agencies. To enhance the external validity of the study, users were asked to assume the role of a consumer or an investor when assessing usability. Empirical results suggest that the evaluation procedure, the instrument, as well as the usability metric exhibit good properties. Implications of the findings for researchers, for Web site designers, and for heuristic evaluation methods in usability testing are offered.

Suggested Citation

  • Ritu Agarwal & Viswanath Venkatesh, 2002. "Assessing a Firm's Web Presence: A Heuristic Evaluation Procedure for the Measurement of Usability," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 13(2), pages 168-186, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:13:y:2002:i:2:p:168-186
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.13.2.168.84
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Bellman, Steven & Murphy, Jamie & Treleaven-Hassard, Shiree & O'Farrell, James & Qiu, Lili & Varan, Duane, 2013. "Using Internet Behavior to Deliver Relevant Television Commercials," Journal of Interactive Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 130-140.
    7. Tsai, Wen-Hsien & Chou, Wen-Chin & Lai, Chien-Wen, 2010. "An effective evaluation model and improvement analysis for national park websites: A case study of Taiwan," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(6), pages 936-952.
    8. Ageeva, Elena & Melewar, T.C. & Foroudi, Pantea & Dennis, Charles & Jin, Zhongqi, 2018. "Examining the influence of corporate website favorability on corporate image and corporate reputation: Findings from fsQCA," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 287-304.
    9. Hallem, Associate Professor Yousra & Abbes, Associate Professor Intissar & Hikkerova, Professor Lubica & Taga, Media Planner Nadia, 2021. "A trust model for collaborative redistribution platforms:A platform design issue," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    10. Ageeva, Elena & Melewar, T.C. & Foroudi, Pantea & Dennis, Charles, 2019. "Cues adopted by consumers in examining corporate website favorability: An empirical study of financial institutions in the UK and Russia," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 15-32.
    11. Song, Jaeki & Baker, Jeff & Lee, Sangno & Wetherbe, James C., 2012. "Examining online consumers’ behavior: A service-oriented view," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 221-231.
    12. Foroudi, Pantea & Nazarian, Alireza & Ziyadin, Sayabek & Kitchen, Philip & Hafeez, Khalid & Priporas, Costas & Pantano, Eleonora, 2020. "Co-creating brand image and reputation through stakeholder’s social network," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 42-59.
    13. van Esch, Patrick & Mente, Margaret, 2018. "Marketing video-enabled social media as part of your e-recruitment strategy: Stop trying to be trendy," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 266-273.
    14. Hsiao, Chun Hua & Yang, Chyan, 2011. "The intellectual development of the technology acceptance model: A co-citation analysis," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 128-136.

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