Web teams are investing heavily in their websites as a way to disseminate information. But simply launching a website and putting your information online doesn't guarantee that customers can access it or use it.

How do you know if people are able to find the information they need on your site? The best way to be sure is to watch actual customers use your site. See what mistakes they make, what terms they don't understand, how they navigate through different sections, and which parts are working well.

Colleen and Marianne each have several years of experience planning and conducting usability tests of governments statistical websites. Their tips and findings are applicable to anyone who works on the web.

At this session you will learn:

• Findings from usability research
• Common mistakes made on sites
• How to improve information delivery
• How to conduct your own usability tests
• What to do with usability results

Colleen Blessing, US Dept of Energy
COLLEEN.BLESSING@eia.doe.gov

Marianne Zawitz, US Dept of Justice
zawitzm@ojp.usdpj.gov