Lund University Website Evaluation: Focus on homepage and English research pages

Abstract: The present universities have their own websites to achieve academic goals, and for this reason, the process of maintaining a high quality and effective website is vital for a university to strengthen its unpredictable creativity and entrepreneurialism. The aim of this study was to develop and validate university website usability, quality and performance, especially focuses on English homepage and research pages. In addition, we will develop a model of how to evaluate university website. Specific objectives were to identify major usability issues and provide a foundation for future development work. The web evaluation methods adopted during the study fall into three major classes: usability testing, user feedback and usage data. Results indicated that English information on website is incomplete, layout and design of the English homepage need to be improved, and the quality of the English research pages varied dramatically. Some web pages were of high standard, enabling quick access to current research and reinforcing the university’s brand as a high quality university conducting world’s leading research. Other web pages were a usability disaster, giving poor user satisfaction and negatively affecting the credibility of the university. The study recommends making an improvement in content, design, layout and new technology, it is necessary to work closely with the faculties and institutes on a ‘case by case’ basis, and finally to improve site performance.