Enhancement of web design quality through the QFD approach

Abstract

This study shows a way to develop web design guidelines through the quality function deployment (QFD) approach. The voice of the customer (VOC) and design elements were collected from a group of users and web design experts. Design elements that have an impact on the search performance and subjective sensibility of the users were identified. Desirable levels of several design elements were then investigated by experiments. To quantify the effects of the design elements on the search performance and subjective sensibility of the users, simulators were designed and used in experiments. Performance tests showed that the location of the table of contents and the method of menu display have significant influence on the search time. Sensibility assessment tests showed that brighter background makes the users feel more comfortable. Yellow header and scanning column makes users feel the page has simplicity and sensibility, while blue or green make the users feel balanced. The text style does not have an impact on the sensibility of the users. Our results clearly showed that QFD could produce specific data useful for such new business areas as web design.