A new set of attributes to integrate web usability and web aesthetics in the scope of public universities websites

Abstract

In the scope of a public university, the use of a website is becoming vital in supporting the daily function of the university. Public university websites are now becoming more like a hub that offers various services for various categories of users. With the different type of users, it posed a new challenge for web designers, especially in term of integrating the web usability and aesthetics to ensure it is suitable for all users. Both usability and aesthetics have its own importance in the overall web performance thus requires a proper integration mechanism. This research described the identification of a new set of attributes to assist web designers in designing a public university website that integrates web usability and web aesthetics. Using several usability evaluation models, usability attributes that are directly concerned with or influenced by aesthetic elements are extracted to form a new set of attributes that will integrate web usability and web aesthetics. The attributes identified were learnability, readability, use of multimedia, navigation and loading speed. The attributes identified will be useful for public universities web designers in designing a better website that not only provide optimum usability but also pleasing aesthetics.