Project Involving the Evaluation of a Website - Coursework Example

Executive Summary This project is to evaluate a French online clothing site called IKKS. IKKS Corporation is component of the Zannier collection. This collection, one of the globe’s foremost in children’s luxury clothing’s, it has nineteen brands with fifteen brands for children such as Paul Smith and Kenzo four products for adults such as One Step and IKKS (Davidson 2007). The study will be divided into two different sections. First, will be the introduction of the website in regards to the 7Cs of website evaluation. This will facilitate assessment whether the choice of website is appropriate and also to evaluate the purpose of the website. The website must be able to cater for the regulation, customers’ diversity and data protection requirements. This is why the assessments of context, content, community, customization, communication, connection and commerce are necessary. It is essential that evaluation of website meets the standard criteria. Evaluation is a process of assessing the subject in accordance to set of rules that are applicable. IKKS website assessment is not exceptional and must be evaluated as per set criteria. The second study will be founded on the Webqual 2.0, where accessibility is analyzed in details. Across the bench of 13 questions, individuals can assess the weaknesses and strengths of the website (Suh 2005).For enforcing the website to have striking features and attract customers’ attention, it is necessary to enforce four key recommendations. First, the product may improve through bricks and clicks development, this awaits further discussion the subsequent sections. Secondly, the IKKS site ought to enhance its good judgment of society so as to award potential customers a genuine logic of corporation social responsibility. Thirdly, study and ranking of the web in accordance to the Amit and Zott forces in sequence of importance; the strategies would involve most important, 2nd most importance, 3rd most important and lastly least important. E-commerce is increasing in significance for both businesses and individuals leading to penalties for how corporations compete. Creating worth for customers that outstands the rivalry has turned into vital for firms contending through e-commerce. Business structures are generated and applied for the particular reason to contend and generate a competitive advantage. The website of IKKS has incorporated most of e-business requirements. Introduction Evaluating IKKS website involve assessment of the website in regard to e-business evaluation criteria.Evaluation is a methodical determination of a topic's merit, value and importance, using criteria administered by a set of principles. It can help an organization, plan, project or any extra intervention or inventiveness to evaluate any aim, realizable notion/proposal, or any option, to assist in decision-making; or to establish the level of accomplishment or value in regard to the objectives and purpose and outcomes of any such activity that has been accomplished. IKKS evaluation involves the assessments of context, content, community, customization, communication, connection and commerce. These are the 7Cs that I would use to evaluate the website (Workshop on E-Business & Wei 2002). The context of IKKS website contains aesthetic and practical feel-and-look. It is evident websites have opted to focus a lot on striking graphics, colours and invent structures, while some have accentuated simpler utilitarian objectives, such as simplicity of scrolling. On the basis of the context, IKKS website has aesthetic, functional look and feel and utilitarian objectives. The images and graphics are attractive and the ease of navigation for more material is present (Workshop on E-Business & Wei 2002). Respective pictures within the website are navigation links to various departments or sections of the website and companies details. In IKKS website there is a poise of both aesthetic (attractive colours, simple affectionate visuals) and functional (marquee, orderly arrangement) design fundamentals to demonstrate its key advantages conventionally premeditated clothing, immense service and reasonable prices. The second C discusses content of the website. Content is described as all digital focus matter on the website. This comprises the form of the electronic subject issues such as video, text, audio and graphics, as well as the domains of the electronic subject issue, comprising service, information, and product provisions. At the same time context mainly concentrates on the way of website developed, content concentrates on what is provided. The content of IKKS website provides all the necessary information that customers may require about the company. The third C refers to community (Workshop on E-Business & Wei 2002). Community is described as the relations that happen between website users. End user interaction can happen among many or two users through e-mails or online shopping or between an individual user and numerous. Ikks.com has a creative society characteristic that permits many consumers to shop at the same time on its site. It has capability for registration thus customizing and treating customers individually offers of free shipment is a community enticement feature. It is a virtual shopping website. The fourth C to assess in this website is the customization. This is described as the website’s capability to mould and be customized by different users. The moment the tailoring is started and controlled by the corporation; people refer to it as customization. When the tailoring replicated and controlled by the clients, this is termed as personalization (Workshop on E-Business & Wei 2002). On Ikks.com, the customer is capable to personalize the website to restricted degree, employing a feature known as my account. At this point, the consumer can enter essential private information, finalize a contact details for probable receivers of buyers, and enter input relevant data in the prompt service. In turn, once individual details are stored and clients start to utilize the site, the website employs this data to customized email messages, poster ads, and the material of the website to the person. The fifth C is about communication. Communication denotes the interaction that involves website and potential end users. The communication can be done in three forms: the first one involves interaction between website and users (site-to-user contact) which is implementable through email notification; the subsequent form is reverse of the first one (user-to-site) involving activities such as customer service request; and third form combine allow the communication to occur simultaneously or dual communication such as IM (Instant Messaging). Ikks.com has potential of social media communication through Facebook, Pinterest, twitter, YouTube and newsletters. These social interaction platforms provide the three form of communication required (Workshop on E-Business & Wei 2002). The second last C in website evaluation is connection. Connection is defined as the expansion of the genuine connection involving the site and additional sites. Ikks.com does not have any linkages with extra websites; nevertheless, it does have associates utilities that facilitate other websites to link to its domain. This allows consumers to access and assess the services and products of IKKS with ease. The last C is commerce and is essential for this evaluation. Commerce is described as the activity involving exchange of products and services on the website. In this content, e-commerce is the most appropriate term since website involves digital sale platforms (Workshop on E-Business & Wei 2002). The Ikks.com site clearly has transactional potential. It has the characteristic “shopping bag” trait along with shipping (such as Free delivery if purchase is €200 and above, safe payment mode, order tracing, residence delivery or delivery to a relay, and content or refunds) information. The shopping bag can be observed as any point in the shopping knowledge. Choice The choice of website, IKKS is a website that sales luxury clothing of all customers from women, children and men wears. It is e-commerce website that permits online business transactions. In its evaluation it complies with the 7Cs of website evaluation criteria. IKKS website has most of the website evaluation contents and is relevant for this project. The purpose of the website IKKS endeavours to make sure, to the best of its abilities, that the data published on this website is precise and current, and it reserves the privilege to adjust this content at a given moment and with no alert. However, the product cannot assurance the accuracy, exactitude or wholeness of the information made accessible on this site (Suh 2005). The purpose of IKKS website is facilitates e-commerce and alert, attract and retain customers. Due to globalization businesses have gone online and IKKS website follows suites to widen its market share (Hagel & Armstrong 1997). The IKKS E-shop online store permits customers to discover the diverse IKKS collections and purchase them online securely all through the winter and summer seasons. The products include IKKS women, I. Code, junior girl (8-18 years old) and IKKS men. The website allows potential customers to consult and order IKKS garments through the website, taking benefitting from the IKKS E-Shop guarantees such as safe payment, simple home delivery or to a pick-up spot, order tracing, content or refunds, and customized advice. This is a website with on-trend ready-to-wear product with strong qualities for Women Men, and Children. Discussion a. Using Webqual 2.0: a table that evaluates the website A check list on the evaluation of a website: b. Yes No Impression on first entry The surfer sees something meaningful within 8 seconds Text is visible while graphics available Purpose come up instantly The Homepage is interesting, exciting, attention-grabbing The Website looks of good quality, and has a clean, uncluttered look There is useful information on the Homepage Not distracted by excessive animation or flash The Homepage contains the key facts Name of Organization Style appropriate for target audience Shows business, products, where based TITLE is meaningful Shows name, address, telephone, fax, Email Shopping Experience Secure handling of credit card information Friendly and quick route to buy Order acknowledged with delivery date stated Delivery reliable Order tracking provided Returns policy stated Privacy of Data statement Appropriate use of cookies Back Office Support Email response address on every page Same day acknowledgement of all Emails Timely and full answer to Emails Links are clear and meaningful Image-links are appropriate and consistent Not more than 7 options in any menu Image-links have ALT words and supported by text-links The whole site has a structure The structure of the website is clear Search tool is provided if appropriate All the pages obey the same rules Each web-page has a proper title Text is shown in cantered tables Long web-pages have their own structure Long web-pages are used when it is useful to print as a whole Users are warned if access time is likely to be long There is a list of contents for the page Avoid long tables, use several short ones Each displayed part of the web-page has a heading or colour Useful External Links are provided Links to associated organizations are provided Information readily available elsewhere is not repeated The Website achieves its purpose The apparent purpose has been achieved There is incentive to take action There are appropriate images and colour There is some humour or light-relief Browser Accessibility and compatibility Appropriate colours, contrast, font size Works with Netscape, Internet Explorer, Opera, Lynx versions Handles variation in colours and font size Works with Text to Speech devices b. IKKS website fare accessibility Accessibility of the website is determined by its capability to facilitate different category of users. Measurement of accessibility is linked to the capability of it being able to facilitate the disabled individuals from using the site comfortably. In this paper evaluation is to verify if the website caters for the disabled individuals’ accessibility (Barnes &Vidgen 2001). Disabilities are categorized into four kinds according to the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People). These four kinds of disabilities are eyesight, mobility, hearing and cognitive capabilities. The website accessibility is evaluated on the basis of these four disabilities. It is necessary to study each disability through the application of the instruments obtainable for disabled persons on the website in order to demonstrate the weaknesses and the strengths of the website. The principles under a website is evaluated to cater for with disabilities include perceivable, operable, understandable and robust (Barnes &Vidgen 2001). Accessibility refers to the level at which anybody can attain and utilize an online site with using available browsing engines. A completely reachable website is deliberated to utilize the most recent web technologies like multimedia, while concurrently accommodating the necessities of those who have complexity with or are not capable to use these tools. Everyone access the internet in diverse manners. A person’s needs establish whether they have to vary browser settings to view web sites or employ assistive technologies like speech input, Braille and speech output, or screen magnification. Individuals may also employ diverse platforms, varying from Personal Computers to Personal Digital Assistants or mobile gadgets like phones. IKKS website accessibility is very good since it conforms to the standard that are required Laws and standards for websites (Barnes &Vidgen 2001). The WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) is associated with the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) and operates with corporations around the globe to boost the accessibility of the web. The WAI are the globally recognised ultimate set of guidelines for accessible web design. c. Key recommendations The recommendations are amendments that can be executed so as the website to comply fully with accessibility standards. After going through these approaches of evaluation, it is evident that recommendation tackled three vital areas that the website did not fully exploit. The recommendation is to ensure proper adjustments are implemented to make the site more accessible. These are: modifying the main animation, augmenting the application of screen reader or narrator and enhancing the voice detection. The main animation of IKKS website is marquee that may not support accessibility by all users. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 covers a broad variety of suggestions for getting Web material more accessible (Thatcher 2006). Following this strategy will make content available to abroader range of individuals with disabilities, involving deafness, blindness, education disabilities, cognitive restrictions, limited movement, photosensitivity, languagedisabilities and combinations of these. The website has moving, scrolling and auto updating features though users are not able to control them as required by the laws and standards of websites. The law states that for any blinking, moving or scrolling information that (1) begins automatically, (2) goes for more than five seconds, and (3) is obtainable in parallel with other materials, there is a means for the consumer or user of the website to stop, pause, or hide it unless the blinking, movement, or scrolling is component of an movement where it is necessary (Thatcher 2006); and for any auto-updating data that (1) initiates automatically and (2) is provided in parallel with other material, there is a system for the user to stop, hide, or pause it or to manage the frequency of the modernize unless the auto-updating is fraction of an action where it is important. These considerations are not implemented fully in IKKS website are requires improvement to ensure conformity is achieved. This will increase the market share and ensure the website does not incur legal cost due to conformity flaws. The next recommendation involves improvement of the use of screen reader or narrator. IKKS website is accessible to majority of users due to multimedia capabilities that it has; however, there is need for adjustment of screen readers and narrator capabilities to conform to required laws and regulations. A screenreader is a software mechanism that tries to recognize and interpret what is displayed on the monitor or, more precisely, sent to typical output, whether a video screen is present or not (Thatcher 2006). This analysis is then re-presented to the end user with sound icons, text-to-speech, or a Braille output gadget. Screen readers are a structure of AT (assistive technology) potentially applicable to individuals who are visually impaired, blind, learning disabled or illiterate often in amalgamation with other AT, such as monitor magnifiers. An individual’s choice of display reader is determined by many issues, including cost, platform, and the responsibility of organizations like schools, charities, and employers. Even though the IKKS does not control the screen reader users would employ the website determine which one they use to access information. The compatibility issue has not been fully implemented and thus need for improvement. Screen reader choice is debatable: contrary priorities and strong favorites are common.Narrator is a light-task screen reader application incorporated in Microsoft Windows (Lazzaro 2001). Narrator interprets dialog boxes and screen controls in some of the more essential applications for Windows. While Microsoft proposes that the visually impaired acquire a full-function monitor reader for broad computer use, Narrator is an important piece of application for a number of causes. The IKKS website does not integrate dialog boxes and screen controls that are essential for screen reader and narrator to make accurate interpretation. It has been a lawful prerequisite for United Kingdom websites to be available since 1999. As from that time, all websites have been anticipated to make sensible adjustments to make sure their websites accommodate all end-users regardless of disability, ability. The third recommendation regarding IKKS website is improvement of voice recognition. W3C, the standards-regulating body for website and the Internet, has finalized a draft for the significant VoiceXML 3.0 - application permitting voice identification authentication. While usually connected with voice commands, it has the prospective to significantly speed and advance the accuracy and affirmative confirmation of online transactions. Some bigger net corporations are even applying it to prove orders and confirm identity (Lazzaro 2001). Many, however, have gotten progressively more concerned regarding the dependability and safety of these dealings with fraud and identity theft on ascend. Mistake rates have been approximately 1 to 2% - intolerable for ironclad industry transactions. W3C does not essentially create software but produces principles. IKKS website is one of developers that must ensure voice recognition is fully integrated in their website. The principle also concerned the matter of extending its SSML (Speech Synthesis Markup Language) functionality to particular languages. SSML is significant since it permits software makers to manage speech from notation to volume to articulation. This guarantees the software will perceive sound the right pitches and tones so critical in speeches were a tiny transform in pronunciation can impact the whole connotation of a word. While the voice recognition software functions well, bad quality microphones and PC speakers incorporated with slower Internet linkages can put a constraint on effectiveness. These matters will be tricky to tackle due to being mainly beyond the power of the developer. IKKS website is excellent in other aspects; however these three recommendations will make it fully functional and confirmable to required standards. Rank the Amit and Zott forces in order of importance Forces in order of importance concerning website evaluation are adequately addressed by Amit and Zott. The two authors are known for their Sources of value creation in e-business model that has been bused to evaluate websites for sometimes. Value sources in e-commerce are essential in decision making and priority setting for any business enterprise. To analyze the values sources of e-business Amit and Zott devised a framework that has four pillars. The framework consists of (1) Efficiency (2) Complementarities (3) Lock-in and (4) Novelty (Amit 1993). Other experts found out that these four value creation sources can also be applied in value evaluation models. This is the concept which makes it applicable in IKKS website’s evaluation. Sources of value creation in e-business Efficiency: This is the first evaluation criteria in the value evaluation model. Content is essential in assessing business efficiency as a key factor in e-business success. As in business, website evaluation also borrows this concept as a fundamental factor in facilitation of online businesses. Efficiency improvements comparative to offline businesses and comparative to other online transactions can be appreciated in a number of dimensions. This value factor embraces the concept of minimizing information inaccuracy among purchasers and sellers by ensuring inclusive and up-to-date information are provided (Amit & Zott 2001). The frequency and capability that enables information transmission through the internet due to efficiency of a website is essential for business growth. Efficiency reduces unnecessary customers’ bargaining and prices search, as well as opportunistic conduct. Efficiency benefits in extremely systematized corporations that are well structured in the administration literature. Research that has been done reveal that efficiency is a key website evaluation criterion since it enhance accessibility of a site thus make the site user friendly. This is why in the case of IKKS website evaluation process it is the first most important. Complementarities: The profitability of mass accessibility is revealed by the concept of this second value evaluation concept. Complementarities present a value though accessibility of a collective of products as opposed to accessing products one by one. IKKS website presented a collection of brands to allow shoppers to purchase them in bulk thus facilitating accessibility aspect of the website. The information evaluation predicts that e-commerce influence this possible for value formation by providing collection of complementary services and products to respective consumers. Harmonizing products may be horizontal complementarities or vertical complementarities that are given by partner associates (Amit & Zott 2001). For instance, Facebook and Pinterest, my account creation capability, IKKS website, offers its consumers admission to climate statistics, money exchange charge data, and promotional services. It is evident such services improve the value of the main products (IKKS women, I code, IKKS men) and make it appropriate for customers to shop online and make payment conveniently. The data on website also allows customer to get additional services such as home delivery with shipment discounts that complement IKKS offerings (Kogut 2000). This complementarily among online and offline commercial is the core of promotional benefits from IKKS.com. Complexity between IKKS.com and others also generates value for IKKS commerce associates by permitting them to use the linkage of virtual business to cross marketplacetheir products and services. (Second most important) Lock-in: Motivation of customers is one of value forming criteria in e-commerce and also website value evaluation process. Satisfaction and motivation levels of respective customers improve e-business success rate since there is increased transaction quantity, incentives to tactical partners uphold and improves relationship that result to both encouraged willingness to compensate of consumers and lessen opportunity costs for firms (Amit&Zott 2001). Acquaintance with the structure devise of a website needs customer education; after training has started; it inhibit clientele from moving to other websites where their training would have to start again. This case provides strength when a chance for tailoring that is started by the consumer and individualize started by the e-commerce is exploited. The data propose that e-businesses improve lock-in by allowing customers to modify services, products, or information to their individualrequirements in a variety of manners (Amit&Zott 2001). Efficiencies and complementarities as sources of value formation can also be supportive in nurturing lock-in. The efficiency characteristics and complementary service and product offerings of an e-commerce could serve to magnetize and retain consumers and associates. (Third most important) Novelty: Invention and creativity are novelty that industry seek to enlarge and remain technological relevant; however for, value formation it is not among the most important levels. While the prologue of new services or products, new technologies of construction, circulation, or promotion, or the attraction of innovative targets have been the conventional foundation of value formation via innovation, the data evaluation shows an indication that e-commerce also generate in the modes they do trade, that is, in the configuration of transactions. For instance, eBay was the innovative corporation to start C2C (customer-to-customer) sales on a big level (Amit & Zott 2001). In this structural design, even low-value products could be effectively commerce between entity customers. (Least important) Explanation The Amit and Zott order importance in evaluating IKKS website is 1st Most important as Efficiency, 2nd most important is complementarities, the 3rd most important is Lock-in and the least important is novelty. This was chosen of the basis of what the IKKS website seeks to do. As an online website, IKKS is concern with attracting, retaining and growing their market share through globalization and e-commerce. To facilitate such cause efficiency of access and complementarities of products and services is imperative. Lock-in is essential though they depend on efficiencies and complementarities (Amit & Zott 2001). Novelty is applicable in developed businesses that need to innovate new ways of doing business. Efficiencies and complementarities as sources of value formation can also be supportive in nurturing lock-in. The efficiency characteristics and complementary service and product offerings of an e-commerce could serve to magnetize and retain consumers and associates. Key recommendation Improvement on novelty and lock in too sustain enlarge market share. Improve on efficiencies and complementarities to sustain competitive advantages. Conclusion IKKS website evaluation consisted of assessment of seven Cs which are essential in website evaluation and formed an essential conclusion. IKKS evaluation involves the assessments of context, content, community, customization, communication, connection and commerce. These are the 7Cs that use to evaluate the website. The choice of website was base on its appearance and functionality. It is e-commerce website that permits online business transactions. In its evaluation it complies with the 7Cs of website evaluation criteria. IKKS website has most of the website evaluation contents and is relevant for this project. The purpose of IKKS website is facilitates e-commerce and alert, attract and retain customers. Due to globalization businesses have gone online and IKKS website follows suites to widen its market share. The IKKS E-shop online store permits customers to discover the diverse IKKS collections and purchase them online securely all through the winter and summer seasons. There was a need to evaluate the accessibility of the website and it was done according Webqual 2.0 criteria. Accessibility refers to the level at which anybody can attain and utilize an online site with using available browsing engines. A completely reachable website is deliberated to utilize the most recent web technologies like multimedia, while concurrently accommodating the necessities of those who have complexity with or are not capable to use these tools. The recommendation was devised after accessibility assessment. After going through these approaches of evaluation, it is evident that that there are three modes in which IKKS website could be improves. These are: altering the main animation, augmenting the application of screen reader or narrator and enhancing the voice detection. The website was ranked in accordance toAmit and Zott forces in order of importance. As an online website, IKKS is concern with attracting, retaining and growing their market share through globalization and e-commerce. To facilitate such cause efficiency of access and complementarities of products and services is imperative. Lock-in is essential though they depend on efficiencies and complementarities. Novelty is applicable in developed businesses that need to innovate new ways of doing business. Complementarities and efficiencies as sources of value formation can also be supportive in nurturing lock-in. The efficiency characteristics and complementary service and product offerings of an e-business could serve to magnetize and retain consumers and associates. In conclusion, the website evaluation has been conducted in accordance to website evaluation criteria. It is a reliable website with relevant challenges which has been recommended for improvement. References list AMIT R, SCHOEMAKER P. (1993).Strategic assets and organizational rent.Strategic Management Journal 14(1): 33–46. AMIT, R. & ZOTT, C. (2001). Value Creation in E-Business. Strategic Management JournalStrat. Mgmt. J., 22: 493–520 (2001) DOI: 10.1002/smj.187 KOGUT B. (2000). The network as knowledge: generative rules and the emergence of structure. Strategic Management Journal, Special Issue 21(3): 405–425. BARNES, S., & VIDGEN, R., (2001) an evaluation of cyber-bookshops: the WebQual method. International Journal of Electronic Commerce, 6(1), 11-30 DAVIDSON, P. (2007). The shopaholic's guide to buying for mother and child online.Chichester, UK, Capstone Pub. HAGEL J III, ARMSTRONG AG. (1997). Net Gain: Expanding Markets through Virtual Communities. Harvard Business School Press: Boston, MA. LAZZARO, J. J. (2001). Adaptive technologies for learning & work environments.Chicago, American Library Association. SUH, W. (2005). Web engineering principles and techniques. Hershey, Pa, Idea Group Pub.http://www.books24x7.com. THATCHER, J. (2006).Web accessibility web standards and regulatory compliance. [Berkeley, Calif.?], FriendsofED.http://www.springerlink.com/content/h631uq/. WORKSHOP ON E-BUSINESS, & WEI, C.-P. (2002). Proceedings of the First Workshop on e-Business: December 14-15, 2002, Barcelona, Spain. Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Electronic Commerce Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University. Read More