Difference Between Usability and User Experience
Tags: usability, userexperience, webdev, design
Published: 2023-06-20 14:37:15

At Sodeira Solutions, we strive to ensure the quality of software products. To do this, we place the end user at the heart of this quality, which is why we attach great importance to usability and user experience. This article will explain these two concepts, so closely related but so different.

Usability and user experience often need clarification because they have a similar objective: to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible to the needs posed by the user.

**Definition of Usability (UI)**
Usability means how easy an interface is to use. At Sodeira Solutions, one of the first steps in each of our client projects is to conduct a UX review of the existing product we are trying to improve. One part of this evaluation is to determine the usability of the product. To do this, we use a research method known as usability testing.

**But what exactly makes something usable?**

Learnability is a fundamental usability attribute because most systems need to be easy to learn, and it affects the first impression of the system. Ease of learning means that the user should be able to learn how to use the system as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, different learning times are acceptable depending on the type of system. 

Efficiency means how quickly the user can complete tasks after learning how to use the system. Some users do not need to learn to use the system fully but only need to know the essential functions of the system. One way to increase efficiency is to add hidden shortcuts to frequently used features. 

Memorability refers to users who are already familiar with the system but have interruptions or use it very infrequently. Memorability measures how well users can remember various features after they have learned them. This type of use is typical, for example, for programs that are used to run monthly reports.

**Efficiency:** Once the user has learned to use the interface and has become proficient, how quickly can they perform the tasks they need? Is the path to completing the task noticeable and not distracting?
**Error Frequency:** How often do users make mistakes when using the interface? Do errors have a severe impact on workflow? Are error messages clear? Can the user quickly recover from the error?

Satisfaction with the system means how pleasant it is to use. It affects the user's motivation and, therefore, the effectiveness of use. This element has similarities to the emotional aspects of UX, and it can be related to things like visual design, trends, brand image, and feelings. Subjective satisfaction can be assessed through UX questionnaires, for example.
Usability can include the perceptual and emotional aspects associated with the user experience when interpreted from the perspective of users' personal goals. 

The usability of a website, application, or program is measured by how easy and intuitive it is to operate.

**Definition of User Experience (UX)**
The user experience (UX) is made up of all user interactions with a product or service. It is a customer's personal, internal experience when using a product interface. 

Can the user use it to do what they need to do? Are the tasks and information that the user wants available to them?
**Security: ** is fundamental regarding personal data or confidential information.
**Credibility:** in the case of website access, the content of these websites must generate credibility in the user, especially if they are e-commerce websites. This credibility will give confidence to the user, and its UX will be good.
**Ease of search:** In Internet users' case, if the website's content is correctly structured and organized and the user finds what they are looking for in a few seconds, it will positively increase the UX.
**Accessibility:** Can a product or service be used by everyone? Are all potential end users, including those with disabilities, being considered?
**Desirability:** design, aesthetics, and quality multimedia content can make a product much more desirable, directly affecting a positive user experience. We will have an excellent UX if we manage, through an attractive design, to evoke emotion in the user, making it desirable for them to use the product again. 

The difficulty always lies in getting right what we believe our target audience expects. For this, it is advisable to study the competition to learn from their successes and mistakes.

What's the difference between User Experience and Usability?
Usability focuses on a product's ease of use, learnability, and effectiveness.

As for user experience (UX), it is a broader concept related to the entire process before the user interacts with the product.

UX focuses on the user's perception of the interaction with the product or site.

A good user experience is created by managing the end-to-end user journey in a way that evokes emotional resonance.

Usability aims to answer the question, "Is it easy to use?"

In contrast, User Experience aims to answer the question, "Is it enjoyable?"

While Usability refers to users' goals once they start using your product, User Experience considers the overall experience of a product or website.

**Alignment between Usability and User Experience **

However, even a perfect alignment of a product or website with all Usability requirements does not guarantee a good user experience. The opposite is also true - a design that tests poorly for usability may not be bad. This is because designers often have to consider business goals and design principles. Depending on these goals, the final design may deviate slightly from usability best practices to facilitate another aspect of the experience, such as value or trust. 

Marketing sites are also an excellent example of how usability is not the primary goal of a design. Instead, the purpose of a marketing site is to help the user learn about the product's existence and generate interest in it. Because usability is a secondary goal, designers and marketers can push the boundaries to create a more interesting and innovative experience. However, once the user has decided to purchase the product, the checkout process must be familiar and convenient.  

There is a time and place for prioritizing the usability of the entire experience. Balancing user usability expectations with other business or design goals is not an exact science. But good designers balance the two, create experiences beyond usability, and bring innovation to the end user.

Want to learn more about how UX design services from Sodeira Solutions can transform your product, creating a valuable and delightful experience? Contact us for a consultation or evaluation.