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08/16/2001 Archived Entry: "16-August-2001 -- Usability in Ireland: We're Just Getting Started"

Usability in Ireland: We're Just Getting Started (WebWord) -- "Irish e-commerce is in its infancy and we have made many mistakes, but it is still an exhilarating and exciting industry. webBusters estimates that Irish websites are operating at an efficiency and effectiveness level of only 46%, due to shortsightedness and a failure to properly prepare, plan and test work. In this article Jude Murray of webBusters (www.webBusters.com) argues a case for usability in Ireland."

Replies: 13 comments

Superb article, well written and packed with interesting facts. It's great to see that someone is taking usability seriuously in Ireland.

Posted by Kevin Healy @ 08/20/2001 06:13 AM EST

Site usability is essential if you are going to increase sales. In a country such as Ireland, where online purchases are still on the rise and people have not lost their optimism about e-commerce, it is articles such as this that will alert Irish webmasters to this crucial element of e-business. I've signed up to their Busted newsletter as well; good stuff!

Posted by Paul McQueen @ 08/20/2001 06:03 AM EST

Very good article about an area that is neglected in this country. The proof is there so why not learn from those who have tried and tested this, companies need to keep up in this ever changing domain.

Posted by Robbie Dunne @ 08/20/2001 05:25 AM EST

Good article. It's strange that usability does not get more air time or media coverage.

Posted by Pearl White @ 08/20/2001 04:25 AM EST

Thanks for the commom sense (which isn't very common). I've seen so much of the "Rush and Tack Syndrome" that you've described.

Posted by Mairtin O'Muirí @ 08/20/2001 03:56 AM EST

Ireland slow on usability? Maybe it's because of this: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/010813/80/c146p.html :).

Posted by Francis Wu @ 08/17/2001 12:41 PM EST

Interesting points of view raised. I would like to debate whether eCommerce in Ireland is in its (when and by how much is it reasonably expected to grow?) & secondly whether users are unpredictable (I think users behaviour becomes predictable once we take the time to discover and address their requirements).

Posted by Frank Gaine @ 08/17/2001 11:16 AM EST

"There is an urgent need for usability in Ireland", I couldnt agree more. Excellent insight into the crucial yet often overlooked area of usability.

Posted by Eamonn O'Callaghan @ 08/17/2001 10:16 AM EST

Intersting article - common sense really isn't it - we have a lot to learn from retail psychology and behavioural psychology. We specialise in integrating backend systems with web-sites, but most of our customers pay little or no attentio nto the user experience - they design the systems to reduce their customer service costs or their admin costs. They are more concerned with getting the backend system integrated, than with the actual user experience.

Posted by Donal O'Muiri @ 08/17/2001 09:57 AM EST

Great article with really useful points. Food for thought in the approach to web designing... I'll be watching this one!

Posted by Tady Walsh @ 08/17/2001 08:00 AM EST

Thought some of the points raised very very interesting even if I did not agree with them all. Usability in Ireland here we come.

Posted by Susan Cahill @ 08/17/2001 06:47 AM EST

Glad to see some usability info from Ireland - well written article.

Posted by Kurt Vonnegut @ 08/17/2001 06:42 AM EST

This is an excellent article that really gives a good insight into the state of play with Usability in Ireland.

Posted by Fergal O'Byrne @ 08/17/2001 06:33 AM EST

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