Website Design Effectiveness Essay.

The digital revolution has made it imperative for virtually every human being to utilize
and access the internet. The ability to navigate through different online platforms is largely
dependent on the design and appearance employed to create it. Websites and social blogs
developed through the internet serve as highly convenient and cost effective channels of
obtaining information on a wide array of topics and subjects. The creation of websites is one of
the popular ways in which the internet is used to create a specific place where information on a
specific topic can be accessed. Further, a website can be described as an umbrella that houses an
ocean of relevant facts and theories with regards to a given discipline. Website Design Effectiveness Essay.

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The key to creating an effective and valuable website lies in making it easy to navigate
across all its contents. An internet user, blogger, businessman or student should have an easier
time while reading a given web page for it to be deemed beneficial to them. There are various
theories that have been formulated to try and evaluate the effectiveness of any website. These
concepts make use of algorithms, information as well as hypothetical assertions to determine the
efficacy and credibility of a given web page. It is evident that nearly all professions and practices
have embraced modern technology by also creating websites that contain information on a
variety of subjects. Presently, it is now possible to find websites that discuss any topic whether it
is related to fields of medicine, business, engineering or nursing. This paper is a comprehensive
and detailed essay that discusses at length the theories, methodologies and findings used in the
evaluation of previous website design papers and theses.

Body of the Essay
a) Theories used in previous website design evaluation papers/thesis
The past decade has experienced a proliferation of electronic and online websites that
contain a tremendous quantity of facts, information and knowledge. The same sites are also
known to have misleading data that can easily make people to have a wrong understanding of
matters related to various topics. Hasan and Abuelrub (2011) cite that this discrepancy has
deemed it necessary to have theories and methodologies that can be used to evaluate the
credibility of a website and whether the design employed in its creation was effective. Website Design Effectiveness Essay. These
theories are evaluated based on the topic of interest, meaning that they differ from one field to
another (Noel et al, 2010). For instance, a website meant for the medical field is evaluated
differently from one created by a public corporation that deals in the sale of computer software.
The same sentiments are echoed by Wenham and Zaphiris (2015) who explain that this
process is also instrumental when it comes to regulating the explosion of the internet so that
aspects related to quality, value and reliability are maintained. The overall goal of all these
websites is to ensure that they are user linking such that an individual is able to gain maximally
from them. According to Yoo and Jin (2014), this importance can be seen when a person
compares and contrasts a credible website with one that is prepared in an incompetent manner.  Website Design Effectiveness Essay.
The poorly designed online sites tend to portray substandard images and this impacts negatively
on the respective organization or individual.
On the other hand, a website that is created with a high level of prowess and proficiency
exhibits a high level of excellence that is even able to increase the level of profitability for an
organization or even more reviews for a media company (Weisheng and Doyeon, 2016). This
means that it is very critical for any organization or corporation to strive to create and design websites that can improve their profile while at the same time increase their level of monetary
returns. Website Design Effectiveness Essay.
Zhang and Dran (2014) state that the theories that have been postulated to explain the
manner in which websites are reviewed for their effectiveness rely heavily on a number of
criteria or factors and whether they have been implemented. The first theory can be termed as the
vital success factors concept where a given online site is examined based on its educational
purpose, ease of navigation, reliability and authenticity of information. Yoo and Jin (2014)
explain that this principle is well illustrated in commercial and business internet websites that
strive to achieve success and growth through electronic platforms. Hence, such a website will be
assessed and gauged for its success based on how well it is able to contribute towards the
management of a business and at the same time fulfill customer satisfaction.
Hasan and Abuelrub (2011) expound further on this fact by asserting that this theory is
also used in critically evaluating business websites based on whether it has been designed with
the goals and needs of the user in mind. The credibility of this philosophy is further enhanced by
the incorporation of a number of generic tools that are able to determine the level of quality and
value of the site. Hasan and Abuelrub (2011) go ahead to emphasize that it is these models that
have been able to ensure that business or commerce based websites are designed using a strategy
that makes sure the end product a site that can be informative, candid and valuable to the end
users.
In the view of Wenham and Zaphiris (2015), the websites that are designed purely for
educational reasons tend to be evaluated using a different protocol and theory from those of
business. This category makes use of a theoretical approach and framework that strives to

LITERATURE REVIEW-WEBSITE DESIGN EFFECTIVENESS
determine the level of effectiveness of a site based on the satisfactory perspective of the
individual user. This means that one theory can be purely and specifically based on usability.
As supported by Wenham and Zaphiris (2015), a classic example of such situations
where usage is used to ascertain the level of effectiveness of a website is in university and
college campus sites that are frequently accessed by students. These online platforms contain a
wealth of information that relates to various courses, ways of conducting academic research as
well as career advice. Therefore, it is very fundamental for such websites to be constantly
evaluated so that they can be relied upon to play the integral role of educating the masses.
Likewise, there are other theories that make use of utilization of resources within the scholarly
context based on social and psychological fields of study.
As cited by Zhang and Dran (2014), this concept has been employed when it comes to the
process of evaluating websites that belong to institutions of higher learning and their ability to
solve user problems. The same case is true when it comes to the process of gauging online sites
that belong to banks and other financial companies. This category is evaluated and assessed
using models and theories that endeavor to find out the services that users can benefit from in
terms of advice, awareness and even investment. As narrated by Hasan and Abuelrub (2011),
websites that belong to banks are examined using the Diniz model and how retail services rank
across various facilities.
This theory is used across banks of different countries such as the New Zealand, Dubai
and even Canada. The Diniz model has been shown to be valuable when it comes to knowing
whether customers are satisfied with the services that they receive. In the view of Hasan and
Abuelrub (2011), the Herey’s model also comes in handy when a person wishes to investigate
the credibility and effectiveness of a given website. The fact that banking institutions can be critically examined using more than one theoretical model shows that the process can be relied
upon to give trustworthy information that can then assist the website users greatly.
Zhang and Dran (2014) go ahead to assert that the use of empirical models comes in
handy when a person wishes to gauge the credibility of government related websites. This
protocol entails the use of additional dimensions of quality that are in turn used to rank the site
and its inclusive features. The latter can include the ability to apply for official documents
online, make payments, renewal of licenses or even view one’s status in terms of revenue
payment. This model is actually used in a number of western countries where design elements,
quality of content and ease of navigation are evaluated in the process.

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According to Hasan and Abuelrub (2011), the level of privacy is also a very crucial
element that is considered when one wishes to assess the level of efficacy of government online
sites. The combination of all these theories provides sufficient proof that illustrates the
importance of critically gauging and evaluating websites for the overall welfare of the online
community. The following part of this essay explores various methodologies that are used in the
evaluation of the design of websites as outlined in theses and published papers.
b) Research methodologies used in previous website design evaluation papers/thesis
It is now apparent that website features and characteristics are very fundamental and
essential as illustrated in the large number of domains that deal with a wide array of subjects.
The presence of numerous methods and techniques to evaluate their level of efficacy and
credibility goes a long way to show their value to the outside world. According to Pearson et al
(2012), the real interaction methodology is very useful when it comes to gauging whether a
website has been designed using the right approach. The core objective of this technique is to investigate how an online site can be able to assist the end users using the prototype strategy or
the implementation approach.
Pearson et al (2012) goes ahead to cite that the real interaction method is highly useful
when it comes to the process of tracking the manner in which individual users access the site
using server log files. The latter is a technical term that is used to access and investigate the
frequency at which each user has visited a given website. A classic example of how this method
is used is in business websites that rely on the internet to lure potential clients (Weisheng and
Doyeon, 2016). The real interaction method can be used to find out how many times customers
visited the sites and the information that they wanted to obtain.
This means that this strategy can be relied upon to know if consumers want to make
purchases online, make referrals to their friends or even learn how they can benefit from a given
product or service. Likewise, the real interaction methodology can be used in banking websites
meaning that it cuts across borders and it is not limited to a particular type of site. In the view of
Pérez et al (2016), this is one of the hugest merits that comes with using this form of approach as
a company, individual or even focus team can all benefit from it immensely. In the case of bank
websites and other financial based institutions that rely on online activity, Pérez et al (2016) cites
that they can analyze internet presence using data that can show the times and dates that a given
transaction has taken place. Website Design Effectiveness Essay.
Further, the number of page reviews as well as the search items on each site can be
shown using this method. Hence, it means that it is possible to tell whether a given website is
effective or not at the end of this process. As narrated by Downing and Chang (2014), the real
interaction method is highly useful and reliable especially when a person incorporates the right
website development technique to ensure a high level of success.Alternatively, there are also other research methods that can be used to evaluate the level
of effectiveness when it comes to website design. As cited by Afful et al (2016), the unified web
method of evaluation is a credible technique that can be used to gauge whether an online site is
valuable to the end user. This method is actually a combination of several other web clusters
such as the content accessibility, web conformance and even benchmarking levels. This method
is actually used across all types of websites and it does not discriminate based on the discipline
or field of study.
As supported by Whitten et al (2013), there are other approaches that are used in the
process of evaluating the process of designing websites as outlined in several papers and theses.
One of them is the cascade sheet style that is commonly abbreviated as CSS and it is used to
check the codes of websites and compare them with the ease of use for all end users. Whitten et
al (2013) goes ahead to assert that this method is enhanced through the use of vector graphics
and even interaction languages. This approach is quite formal and it strives to identify if a
website has any problems when it comes to accessibility.
It is the ultimate role of the technical evaluators to make use of this method to find out if
the ease of use of a given site is hectic or whether it is highly convenient. The cascade sheet style can be able to tell the level of effectiveness when it comes to designing of a website based on
how users are able to benefit from accessing the online page.

Figure 2: Flow diagram showing the stepwise approach used in the process of evaluating and
assessing website design.
Kim et al (2016) explains a whole new methodology that can be used in the evaluation of
websites that are entirely designed for the restaurant business. The dine web equal is a tool that is
implemented in the assessment of how customers interact through a given site and their intention
of logging into it. Moreover, this tool is very instrumental when it comes to learning whether the
quality of a given site meets the needs of its users. Website Design Effectiveness Essay.
Lowry et al (2008) supports this claim by stating that family restaurants, eateries and
even fast food joints can benefit from using this method to find out if their customers are
satisfied with the meals and services offered. What’s more, the validity of this method can be
seen through the manner in which it enables people in this line of business to track the quality of
their sites with regards to online traffic, customer preference and even reviews from its users.
These methods have been used in the recent past to evaluate various forms of websites
and they have been proved as being authentic in terms of ensuring that design effectiveness is
given foremost priority in all online webs. The final part of this essay explores some of the major findings that have been made when it comes to the process of evaluating the designs used in the
creation of websites.
c) Findings of previous website design evaluation papers/thesis
The conclusions and findings contained in various papers and theses that discusses the
approaches used in the evaluation of website design differ in terms of their objectivity. However,
the common outcome of all these research activities is the fact that the design of any website is
gauged using a given criteria depending on the particular site (Weisheng and Doyeon, 2016).
For instance, a website from a university or college is assessed based on its ability to educate
users, course advice and even convenience when it comes to matters of knowing the student
performance.
On the other hand, websites that belong to governments or public authorities are
examined using benchmarks according to revolve around revenue payment, tax remittance and
even ease of applying for a document. According to Hasan and Abuelrub (2011), these principles
are very essential when it comes to the process of knowing whether a given site is credible
enough to be used by other people. The use of various research methods to determine if a given
site is authentic or not it also another activity that leads to various findings. Website Design Effectiveness Essay.
In the view of Pérez et al (2016), there is a comprehensive process that must be followed
in order to achieve the best outcome. The use of the real interaction strategy as cited by Pearson
et al (2012) is a very superior and reliable technique that is used in multiple disciplines. This
means that it does not discriminate and can instead be used to evaluate websites that belong to
banks, restaurants, businesses and even universities.
Te et al (2014) also supports the use of research methods in evaluation of websites when
they discuss the cascade sheet style and its importance in showing online presence, ease of navigation as well as user friendliness. In fact, Kim et al (2012) concurs with this assertion and
these authors explain that the process of gauging whether a website has been designed using a
credible approach is very instrumental when it comes to ensuring that professionalism is
maintained across borders. This literature review has made use of numerous publications that
have discussed comprehensively the theories, methods and findings when it comes to website
design and evaluation strategies of the same.
Conclusion
The invention of the online platform as a means to channel and disseminate information
has significantly contributed to the high levels of awareness among most individuals. Websites
are the most common forms of routes and passages that are used to provide information on a
wide array of fields and disciplines. The review of a given website can help in ascertaining
whether it provides or documents a number of facts and statements that can be deemed valuable
to the reader. This essay provides a literature review that has incisively discussed the role of
theories and research methods when it comes to the assessment of websites and the designs used
in their creation.
The fact that one theory can be used for a specific category of online site means that it is
highly efficient and can be relied upon to arrive at the right findings. Similarly, the techniques
employed when it comes to the process of examining websites for their importance has shown
that the real interaction method and the cascade sheet style vary in terms of the criteria used in
the process of evaluation. The continued proliferation of online sites within the contemporary
world should be a driving force that should make virtually all stakeholders to become more
stringent in assessing websites to ensure that only the authentic and viable ones are allowed to
continue serving the masses. Website Design Effectiveness Essay.

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