Impact of the Factors Influencing Website Usability on User Satisfaction

Though technological progress has allowed many improvements like new business opportunities, faster data transfers, etc., still, it is recommended that human computer interface design has a significant influence on the usability and user satisfaction level. The objective of this study is to understand the satisfaction level of users from an interface usability perspective. A pilot survey was conducted to fix the most popular website among the student community. An actual questionnaire survey was administered on 174 students pursuing MBA to elicit the required data. The study used two principal component analyses to extract the factors influencing usability and satisfaction separately. Later, satisfaction was regressed onto the factors influencing usability to determine the relative significance of each factor. Independent sample t-test was done to examine the impact of gender. The study found that information content, format, consistency and ease of navigation to be significant in explaining the satisfaction level of the users. No difference in gender was found with respect to the factors influencing usability of website. The findings of this study have implications for website designers, particularly in maintaining the consistency and accuracy of the information, while designing a website. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]