Website design evaluation: Comparison of telecommunication websites in Malaysia

Whilst telecommunication adoption within Malaysia is widespread, the number of website activities related to mobile phone usage/marketing is declining or static. The study has investigated four telecommunication websites, which had the same content and constant information structure, to be evaluated using heuristics evaluation method. The subjects included thirty two final year undergraduate students who took the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) course at the School of Informatics, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. The purpose of this research is to analyze the general characteristics of website which is important to mobile users when using their service provider's websites. The result provides empirical evidence that any user interfaces designed for the general public should not only be easy to learn, but must also be aesthetically pleasing. Results indicate there is a critical need to have formal training among websites' stakeholders in approaching technology management during this age of fundamental change. The study could be more precise if conducted directly with people who actually use the websites and/or are involved in the design.