What does "usability" really mean, anyway? A usable site helps people find what they're looking for. In most cases, they're looking for quality information. So, usable sites are accessible, load quickly, are easy to navigate, and contain worthwhile content. Amazon.com is a classic example.

At RKI we think that a usable site should also look good. We prefer spare and elegant designs with a simple color scheme, as you'll see if you browse our portfolio. You can also read our recent newsletter about web usability.

Key traits of usable sites:

• Fast load times
• Simple and consistent graphic design
• Short sections of text that are easy to scan
• Clear and intuitive navigation
• Accessibility for users who are disabled
• Adherence to web conventions

We offer brief explanations of our ideas on some key usability concerns:

• Links: Make them blue, and other thoughts
• Frames: Just say no!
• Style sheets: Separate presentation from content
• Flexible design: Give control back to the users
• Accessibility: Open your site to users who are disabled

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