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Discipline: Computer Sciences and Information Management
Subcategory: Computer Science & Information Systems
Jasmine DeHart - Philander Smith College
Today, developing websites with high quality is essential to maintain to ensure website effectiveness. In the research, I focus on exploring the quality of websites that sell digital products such as websites themes, software and plugins. To create user friendly websites and improve older sites, I researched and established core characteristics that can enhance the quality of digital products by examining the themes and plugins of those websites. Those characteristics have been identified as: visual appeal, structure, creativity, recommendations and assurance. It is important to use all of the characteristics when developing a user friendly website however, the quality of the website will ultimately vary in each site. While conducting the research, I conducted content analysis studies focusing on the top eighteen websites that sell websites themes, plugins and software. First, and based on literature review of human-computer interaction, extreme usability and quality service design, I identified factors and measures to be used to analyze the current state website quality. Content analysis revealed factors of visual appeal, structure, creativity, recommendations and assurance to be the main factors to measure website quality that specialize in selling website themes, plugins and software. Of the eighteen websites, one had the worst quality because this page lacked in creativity and navigation. The best quality pages were more creative, easy to navigate, and had a unique ‘search’ application. Some things to look at would be the common factors in each and how they can be improved to have a better interface for users. With an advancing society, technology and its aspects need to advance with it. A simple website and its’ tools are important for a user friendly interfaces to provide an effective and efficient application for consumers. The scope of websites need to be improved upon to encourage more consumers (traffic) to indulge in the products. If the visual appeal, structure, creativity, recommendations and assurance factors are high, then the website will be an excellent tool for users. Future Research includes building prototype websites and tracking the traffic of the users.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): This research is supported in part by NSF and ARK-LSAMP.
Faculty Advisor: Samar Swaid,
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