Assessing University Homepages from Web standard and usability perspectives

Bao Tran, Doctor of Business Administration candidate, Graduate College of Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW , 2480. Email: btranq10@scu.edu.au

Allan Ellis, Director of Research and Research Training, School of Commerce and Management, Southern Cross University, Email: allan.ellis@scu.edu.au

Keywords

Web standards, usability, information architecture, online marketing

Abstract

Academic institutions and universities are often Web-technology pioneers. Because they often have their own IT department to build and manipulate their Web sites, universities frequently touch up their Web sites, especially the homepage, to produce better marketing performance.

Over recent years published pilot studies have reported research involving Web standard and usability issues. This research uses a combination of measures to analyse relevant 2007 concerns about homepage redesign and performance and uses some case studies to compare and highlight current differences. A pilot investigation was undertaken of 33 institutions around the world: 10 from Australia, 3 from Asia, 4 from England, 1 from France, 13 from the US. In term of focus and disciplines, there are 21 universities (general curricula) and 10 business schools.

The results reveal that British and Australian institutions appear to be more compliant with Web standards and usability issues. Other institutions show wide variation in the way they organise information on their homepage. Most have scope for significant improvement.