Analysis

The term 'end-users' describes the group of people most likely to use a website. This is closely linked to the target audience, which refers to the broader group the website is designed for. The actual end-users are the people who will interact with the website directly, meaning their needs and expectations must be considered during development.

If a web development company has a clear idea of its target audience, it should take into account what works best for that group of end-users when creating a website.

Some common end-user groups include:

• Young children who require simple navigation and engaging visuals.

• Employees with specific requirements, such as internal portals for company tasks.

• Customers/clients who may require access to product information, services, or support.

• Inexperienced users who need intuitive interfaces and guidance.

• Skilled and expert users who may prefer advanced features like shortcuts or customization.

• Users who require accessibility features, including:

  • Support for screen readers.

  • Voice recognition integration.

  • Adjustable text sizes and color contrast for readability.

  • Keyboard-only navigation for those who cannot use a mouse.

• These categories are broad and not exhaustive—an individual end-user could fall into more than one category.

The tasks that end-users need to carry out are known as the end-user requirements. These could involve specific accessibility needs, user interactions, or workflows.

For example:

• A novice user will require a graphical user interface (GUI) with dropdown menus, icons, and a help section. They should not have to remember commands and should be able to navigate easily.

• An expert user, however, may find a GUI slow and inefficient. They might prefer keyboard shortcuts, scripting capabilities, or other advanced features to improve workflow.

• By understanding the end-user’s needs, developers can design websites that are intuitive, accessible, and effective for their intended audience.

Functional requirements describe the core capabilities of a website. These are categorized as:

• Processes the website must be able to carry out (e.g., user login, searching content, submitting forms, processing payments).

• Interaction with databases/information, ensuring the website can access and store data as needed (e.g., retrieving product details, saving user accounts, updating orders).

• 
  

When analyzing a website’s functional requirements, consider the following:

• Target audience – Who will use the website?

• How many pages – Will it be a simple 3-page site or a large multi-section platform?

• Navigation structure – How will users move between pages? Will there be a menu, a search function, or breadcrumbs?

• Page linking – What internal and external links will be included?

• Media – What images, videos, or animations will be needed?

• Estimated time and cost – What is the expected timeline and budget for development?

• Device responsiveness – Will the website function correctly on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices?

• Browser compatibility – Does the website need to work across different browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari?

• 
  

Functional requirements help define the structure of a website and ensure it meets user expectations. They also serve as a benchmark for evaluating whether the final website is fit for purpose.