And if you think that finding your way around your Web site is a no-brainer, think again. While Disney Online did not have anything to do with Spool's tests, Goldstein is interested in his findings. Without a doubt, as Web markets become increasingly competitive, Web site ease of use will become a way to stand out from the crowd. This story looks at two companies going to great lengths to make their sites easy to use, revealing what they do to get customer feedback throughout the design process, how they measure their progress and what kind of time and money your company may need to spend to get similar results. What Users Can Teach You Mark Thompson's new corner office on the 17th floor has an enviable view of San Francisco Bay.
Usability is one of our secret weapons.
The secret weapon appears to be working. With those numbers, one might wonder why Schwab would need to make any changes to its Web site at all. It's now a rush to be useful. But Schwab has clearly invested significant resources. Abbott Usability, a San Jose, Calif.-based usability testing firm, recruits Schwab's test takers, runs the tests in Schwab's lab and reports on the findings.