June 2004

Review of The Webcredible Handbook

Written by Trenton Moss of usability specialists Webcredible, this 90 page e-book is an in-depth guide to ensuring website usability and accessibility.

With new legislation on its way, many UK website owners are reviewing the structure, navigation and content of their sites to ensure compliance. Clearly, this handbook is targeting those who want the lowdown with the minimum of gloss. Described as a 'no-nonsense how-to guide for user-friendly websites', it focuses on the practicalities rather than the theory.

The 124 checkpoints are organised into four sections covering usability, accessibility, credibility and search engine optimisation. Accompanying each point is an 'importance' rating, useful for prioritising actions.

There is a lot covered in The Webcredible Handbook with plenty of examples to explain the points more clearly. Moss has condensed a lot of information into only 90 pages, and has helpfully included many URLs to external references where further resources and illustrations of the various points are to be found. However, these are not live links - which means having to type the addresses into the browser bar - not very user friendly when the URLs are long.

It would have been helpful to have had an introductory section on how to use the handbook - for example, whether it's necessary to follow the points sequentially, or if not, how best to dip in and out.

In its determination to cut any unnecessary fluff, and perhaps so as not to date it, the book carries the minimum of contextual detail. It would have been useful to have included an overview of the forthcoming accessibility legislation, for example. A short introduction to each section of the book would also have been beneficial.

A little more background about Webcredible itself at the end of the book, with more about the services the company provides would make a better conclusion.

The handbook is delivered electronically in PDF format, and it's not cheap - £170 to buy for a single-use licence, with 5-user and 25-user licences available. There is a free 'taster' download available containing snippets from each section of the book. But despite the high price tag, hiring a usability/accessibility consultant would undoubtedly cost more than £170. In addition, if all the points in the book are actioned, not only should it result in an accessibility-compliant website, but it should enhance the site's ROI.

Special Offer

As a special offer to readers of Marketing Karma, Webcredible is offering a 20% discount on the purchase price of The Webcredible Handbook until 30 June 2004 - click here to visit the Webcredible website and take advantage of this offer.