Press Releases

Shelter uses The Usability Company to consult its web users

3 February 2003 - Shelter has awarded The Usability Company its contract for the provision of usability services and consulting on two of its websites – www.shelternet.org.uk and www.homelessnessact.org.uk.

The Usability Company carried out a thorough usability evaluation* of both websites. The findings from the evaluation will feed the next phase of development for each website.

Joe Barrell, website manager at Shelter explained: "Shelter is developing a range of new online services and information resources. As with any web development project, the success of the work we are doing depends on a clear understanding of the needs and expectations of our audiences. We therefore required a detailed and specific evaluation of how they use our websites. The best way to make this evaluation is through user-testing."

Paul Blunden, sales and marketing director of The Usability Company agreed: "The crucial consideration in designing a successful website is understanding and responding to the needs of users. Shelter realised that in order to provide successful online services it needed to identify the key requirements of a diverse group of users. We are delighted that it chose us to deliver key recommendations for the development of these Internet services."

Joe Barrell continued: "We appointed the Usability Company because we were impressed by its methodologies for usability engineering, which are very much in line with current good practice in the field. The testing program was oriented around clearly defined strategic objectives, and the findings were both enlightening and relevant. The final report included a series of actionable recommendations that will form a key part of our next phase of web development."

The Usability Company offers a special charities rate card that enables organisations such as Shelter to benefit from independent, business-focused usability services within the constraints of limited budgets. This is particularly important to Shelter given the wide diversity of its user groups, which include local authority housing departments, Shelter supporters, and people with any kind of housing problem.

*Usability Evaluation uses real people to assess different areas of the client’s media or device which affect the user experience and ascertains which elements or areas need to be re-designed.

A representative sample of a client’s target audience is asked to perform everyday tasks. Specialised software is then applied to interpret and evaluate results, from which solutions are recommended

About The Usability Company

The Usability Company is the UK’s foremost provider of independent, business-focussed usability testing and consultancy. With The Usability Company, any digital based interactive medium or device can be optimised. For users, a site or device with good usability delivers a satisfying, effective interactive experience, whilst for businesses or media owners it ensures smoother project management and development with a typical return on investment of around 800%.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact one of The Usability Company team at Midnight Communications:

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