Usability: Usability is the term used to define how easy it is for users of websites and other technology to carry out their desired actions. As people become ever more accustomed to being connected to their technology, usability will become increasingly important for businesses looking to put their best foot forward.
Website usability can be defined and improved in a number of ways. Web design that takes overall user experience into account regarding text formatting, link placement, and hyperlink optimization will greatly improve a page's usability. In turn, that will leave web surfers with a better impression of the site, likely increasing conversion rates.
The importance of usability has been learned by many businesses the hard way. Consider, according to KissMetrics, 79% of web users say that if they are dissatisfied with a business's website, they are a lot less likely to become a return shopper. From an intuitive digital storefront to an easily navigable webpage, usability is the key to success in the age of eCommerce.
Usability is also important in the realms of software and mobile hardware, especially as more and more people are being swept up in the tide of smart mobile technologies. You need only look at the troubled Blackberry Limited, formerly Research in Motion Limited, to understand what happens when you build devices that make it overly difficult to log on to Facebook, let alone download and use many of the most popular apps out there.