User-centered design (UCD)

We build websites that are focused on what you users want to do!

User-centered design is a project approach that we have adopted, this approach puts the intended users of your site at the center of the design and development cycles. We do this by talking directly to your typical users at key points in the project, to make sure the site will deliver upon their requirements.

We have taken this approach because, although, you as the client know what you want to offer, and we have an opinion on what the site should do and how. Its the user who will contribute to your business, and due to this fact we need to make is simpler for the user to go through and conduct their activities.

We build websites that are focused on what you users want to do!

User-centered design is a project approach that we have adopted, this approach puts the intended users of your site at the center of the design and development cycles. We do this by talking directly to your typical users at key points in the project, to make sure the site will deliver upon their requirements.

We have taken this approach because, although, you as the client know what you want to offer, and we have an opinion on what the site should do and how. Its the user who will contribute to your business, and due to this fact we need to make is simpler for the user to go through and conduct their activities.

 

UCD foundations

User centered design is a development method that guarantees your product, software or web site will be easy to use. The International Usability Standard, ISO 13407, specifies the principles and activities that underlie user centered design:

  • Active involvement of customers (or those who speak for them).
  • Appropriate allocation of function (making sure human skill is used properly).
  • Iteration of design solutions (therefore allow time in project planning).
  • Multi-disciplinary design (but beware overly large design teams).

Why do user centered design?

User centered design is the only design methodology that puts users at the heart of the design process. It is therefore ideally suited to developing products or web sites that must be simple and straightforward to use, otherwise, you will have lots of users being "lookers" and not many of them would be converted into "buyers".

When should I do user centered design?

In our opinion, because user centered design is a development process, it needs to be considered and applied throughout the development cycle: from requirements gathering through to user acceptance testing.

How UCD approach

We follow three core principles in all our user centred design projects:

Early and continual focus on users and their tasks
You must understand your users and what they want to do with the system. This understanding is arrived at by directly studying their behavior and attitudes, and by studying the nature of the goals you expect them to accomplish.
Empirical measurement of user behavior
Early in the development process, intended users should actually use simulations and prototypes to carry out real tasks, and their performance and reactions should be observed, recorded and analysed.
Iterative design
When problems are found in user testing (as they will be) they must be fixed. This means design must be iterative: there must be a cycle of design, test and measure, and redesign, repeated until the usability objectives are met.

There are a variety of specific activities you can choose from to deliver user centred design. On a typical project, we will: 

  • Develop persona’s to characterise the users and their tasks.
  • Derive the information architecture with a card sort.
  • Paper prototype early design concepts.
  • Usability test the system with representative customers.

Why Userfocus?

Our Customer-Centered Design Methodology is a user-centered design process based on the International Usability Standard, ISO 13407. It combines systematic, controlled field research with measurable usability goals. This means our recommendations are based on replicable, objective data gathering techniques and focused on improving your key business metrics. Ethnographic research, persona creation, scenario design, and card sorting are just a few of the tried and tested processes we use to answer tough questions like, “What do customers really want and how can we help them find it?”

Do you need some advice on your project?

Take a look around our site and see how we have managed to help our clients over the years. Our advice is free and without obligation, at the same time we are happy to lend a hand when it comes to suplimenting your team or building your website.

Why not send Webtrendz your brief today?

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Client testimonials

  • We have an excellent relationship with the web design team. They were always available at the end of the phone or in person whenever we needed. They listened and adhered to all our requests and constantly kept us updated with all the changes and developments they were implementing. In addition, they spent time thinking creatively how to improve the design of the site. We were very happy with the final outcome of the site - and will continue to develop it with Webtrendz. We would highly recommend them. ... Charlene Blake[read more]
  • Webtrendz have been a fantastic company to work with! We approached them as they were one of the few website companies who could build the bespoke system we required. We had an initial meeting and discussed what we wanted and what was possible. We made several changes during the building of the site which they were happy to accommodate. The end result has been better than I expected with a content managed site. I would like to thank all of the guys at Webtrendz for all the hard work they have done! ... Mark Dixon [read more]
  • Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder! ... And I think the site looks fantastic. I commissioned Webtrendz to build my business website for me. They were recommended to me by a business contact who were very happy with their services, cost and professionalism. They are indeed a professional set of guys and offer a personal service and are able to help me understand why some of my ideas would not work as well as walk through those that would. I would surely recommend them. ... C Sinclair [read more]
  • The design process was smooth and I felt everything went without problem. I like the branding that Webtrendz did for my company and I think the website looks good. From the start, the relationship with the guys has been pleasant and easy-going. I feel I received good value for money. I have now requested the site be updated and some amendments made. ... Dan [read more]
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  • very helpful company staff, very friendly and great design work done on my website. I would highly recommend to anyone thinking of having there own website done. I spent many hours going over the design and look of my site which was great for someone who has limited website knowledge. Everything was put to me jargon free, they even took care of the domain name, which again i had not got a clue about i'm very please i used Webtrendz for my site. ... Clyde [read more]
  • I have a very good relationship with my designer, and was always available for communication. All requests were taken on board by them and advantages and disadvantages explained. All computer jargon was explained in understanding sentences and surprisingly enough i too became a wizard at computers. I was very happy with final outcome. I would recommend Webtrendz again and again! ... Kevin Kowlessur [read more]
  • I approached Webtrendz with the idea I had for my new business. I found from the outset the company to be very helpful. They have been great at keeping in touch with me and letting me know how the project has been developing. I am very happy with the website and people have already commented on how good it looks. I am looking forward to selling my products in the next few months, when they are ready to go. Webtrendz have given me good value for money and are pleasant to deal with. ... Anthony Gauci [read more]
  • Webtrendz have given me the best service, highest quality of work, great support and outstanding Customer Support. I will recommend Webtrendz to friends and colleagues without a doubt and will continue to use them for future work as they have been commissioned to work on another project of mine and are now planning to use them for something else too. Thanks and great work guys. ... B Birt [read more]
  • Webtrendz once again provided us with an exceptional service and website. Our old website needed an overhaul due to rebranding and they followed our requirements to a tee. Everything was completed in time and ready for our launch. Webtrendz worked effortlessly to meet our deadline and their service throughout was second to none. They worked quick with the designs and also with any changes that were required. Once again we received a quality website at a very affordable price. ... Area Manager, PowerScreen. [read more]
  • Rahim is a very talented front end developer who not only transforms formal designs into slick web pages, but can take a nebulous idea and make it a reality. He adds an immense amount of value during both design and build with his experience in usability. He is fast, quick to grasp the design principles but without losing that critical attention to detail. Rahim, I have no doubt, would be an asset to any project team and I would jump at the chance to work with him again. ... Neil Taylor[read more]
  • Rahim and the team have been Top lads, they are very personable, accommodating and good to work with. Requests were always taken into consideration, if they couldn't achieve an exact response they would always suggest workable alternatives. Thankfully conversations and explanations were kept relatively jargon free, it was never an issue. We were very happy with the final outcome, it took a little time to get there but was worth waiting for ... Brendan Birt [read more]
  • After talking to multiple suppliers at the time, we are very happy that we selected Webtrendz to develop our website. They have a strong all-round team of both design specialists and back-end programmers who they did an excellent job on our website. We continue to work with them and would be happy to recommend their work. ... Anand Lakhani [read more]
  • Webtrendz are an excellent company to deal with. To begin with, they designed and developed our website, working closely with us to ensure that they achieved the right look and functionality. We are extremely pleased with the website and all of the subsequent design and print work Webtrendz have provided for us. I have already recommended them to friends in other companies and definitely recommend them to you. ... James McBriar. [read more]

Benefits of working with Webtrendz Consultancy

  • 1We will build a website that is designed to your brand

  • 2Ensure that the website is fully search engine optimised and visible

  • 3By focusing on the user, we are able to build websites that help your users

  • 4We work to your budgets and timelines, ensuring that you are in full control throughout

  • 5We will research your competitors and advise you on your online strategy

  • 6Communication Is Key, we aim to listen and advice in equal measure