If you are interested in getting my Web Usability and Design Analysis, but have a few questions first, this FAQ page may help. Below is a list of questions I have commonly received.

Q. Do you fix all the problems found in the analysis?

A. No. The analysis is just that, an analysis. It’s a report of my findings, not my action plan to work on your site. Additionally, to keep the analysis unbiased, I make the assumption that you are either the webmaster for the site being analyzed, or you have a webmaster that can fix the problems. No where in the analysis will you find recommendations for myself to make any of the fixes. Please do not see this as a paid proposal for my services, though if you ask, I can.

Q. Is the analysis just some automated test where a program gives back the answers in a few minutes?

A. No, the analysis is heuristic, meaning I will personally be reviewing your website with a check list of items that I believe are critical to a website. There are however, a few automated tests that I do within the analysis. On most items checked I report the findings, I explain why each item matters, and sometimes offer quick fixes that can be easily done by yourself. I additionally write a brief summary at the end with prioritized recommendations. The analysis takes anywhere from a half hour to one hour to complete, and is at least ten pages long.

Q. What type of websites do you do?

A. Any kind! It can be done on anything from flash websites to forum websites. Once a visitor goes to a domain name they are expect something. This analysis will help identify where you site is failing to fulfill visitor expectations.

Q. How many sites get a perfect score?

A. The analysis doesn’t actually score a website, though it could. There are 35 items I check, and besides giving feedback on them, I also rate them with the rating of Poor, Fair, and Excellent. I have done hundreds of these analyses, and have yet to find a site that did not get at least three  ratings of poor. Most sites get a rating of Poor on 8 or more items out of the 35 items I check. Note: Using this analysis I often find mistakes made on my own site, this one. This is not a grading system for webmaster skills. Websites are more complex than one would initially think, and errors do occur. The secret is identifying those errors.

Additionally, a perfect score may not be what you want. The analysis is based on: my 12+ years of experience of designing websites, tested/documented web usability, accessibility, and design concepts, and practical levels of effort. What I have found on all of this is that every site is different, and it may have different needs. A simple example would be me identifying whether or not your site has a search function. This is typically an important feature, but if your site only has three or four pages do you really need it? If this was the case I would rate it as Poor, none found. I would then explain that it is most likely not needed though, and that it could actually create an element of confusion. Poor rating, yet done right.

In general I would say, don’t expect a perfect score. Also, I do offer a little secret prize here. Basically, if your site gets less than five ratings of poor in the analysis, I will write a post on how great it is. Get a perfect score, and I will also give your money back. I have yet to do that though.

Q. How long does it take?

A. I work Monday through Friday. If I get an order I try to finish it the same business day. If I am not busy, you could get it back within an hour. Most customers receive their analysis within just a few hours, but don’t be surprised if you have to wait until the next business day.

Q. Do I have to fix everything at once?

A. Strangely, I am asked this nearly most often. My response is, it’s your website, do what you want. The analysis does include a recommendation of prioritized items at the end, so you can see what I believe is most important. I would simply print out the analysis, highlight what you think is important as well, and then simply start fixing what you can, when you can. If you take no action on the items I find, I will not be mad, but I may be a little surprised.

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