The explanatory power of usability for user preference on web sites

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between perceived usability before actual use and task completion time, and the effect of usability on user preference for web sites. Nine online bookstore web sites were used by ten participants. Results indicated: (1) pre-use usability and post-use usability were positively correlated; and (2) the relationship between pre-use usability and preference was greater than that of post-use usability and preference. These findings can be used as the bases for constructing a conceptual framework to understand user preferences on web sites.