Project 4 Antonov K Finishedwhitepaper

USABILITY OF ONLINE
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
DISTRIBUTORS
V.S.
APRIL 14, 2019

KATE ANTONOV
Technical Writing Class Spring 2019
Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Methods ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Environment and Equipment .................................................................................................................... 2
Tasks.......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Metrics ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Criteria................................................................................................................................................... 3
Likert 6-Point Scale ............................................................................................................................... 3
Results ........................................................................................................................................................... 3
Task 1 – Create a New Account ................................................................................................................ 3
Task 2 – Update Contact Information ....................................................................................................... 5
Task 3 – Search for Electronic Parts .......................................................................................................... 6
Task 4 – Browse Online Catalog ................................................................................................................ 8
Task 5 – View Engineering Blogs and Articles ......................................................................................... 10
Task 6 – Sort Through Manufacturers .................................................................................................... 11
Task 7 – Add Parts to Cart ....................................................................................................................... 13
Task 8 – Access and View Order History ................................................................................................. 14
Task 9 – Return a Part ............................................................................................................................. 15
Task 10 – Delete an Account ................................................................................................................... 18
Recommendations/Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 19
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 20
Appendix ....................................................................................................................................................... 0
1
Introduction
This white paper relates the findings of a usability test between two electronic components
distributor websites: Digi-Key and Mouser Electronics. This test assumes that buyers are
viewing the websites on Google Chrome using a PC, have a basic knowledge of internet usage,
and are familiar with the basic navigation of websites.
Methods
Environment and Equipment
The usability tests of Digi-Key and Mouser Electronics were conducted at my home on my
personal laptop PC. The sites were accessed on the Google Chrome web browser using a 40
Mbps Wi-Fi connection.
Tasks
The usability tests assumed the user is on the websites. The tasks performed during the
usability test were as follows:
 Create a new account.

 Update contact information.
 Search for electronic parts.
 Browse online catalog.
 View engineering blogs and articles.
 Sort through manufacturers.
 Add parts to cart.
 Access and view order history.
 Return a part.
 Delete an account.
2
Metrics
Criteria
Criteria statements for each of the ten tasks in the usability test were as follows:
 Efficient – This task required a minimum amount of mouse clicks.

 Effective – I was able to successfully finish this task.
 Engaging – I was not overwhelmed by the design of the tasks and options
 Error Tolerant – Any errors I made were pointed out by the website and easily fixed.
 Easy to Learn – The process of completing this task was intuitive.
Likert 6-Point Scale

Criteria statements for each task were rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from “1 – Strongly
Disagree” to “6 – Strongly Agree”.
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Results
Task 1 – Create a New Account
Task 1: Create An Account

7
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
6
0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn
Digi-Key Mouser
3
Figure 1
Both Digi-Key and Mouser were essentially the same in terms of ease and efficiency in creating an
account. Digi-Key offered a choice of whether the consumer was using this account for personal or
company use, as seen in Figure 3. Digi-Key immediately allowed me to start shopping without asking for
an email verification, as seen in Figure 4.
While creating a password for Mouser, it showed the current strength-weakness of my password, which
was a bit time-consuming, but it regards safety as a top priority(Figure 2). I was immediately prompted
to verify my email, but this didn’t stop me from starting to shop.
Figure 2
Figure 3
4
Figure 4
Figure 5
Task 2 – Update Contact Information

Task 2: Update Contact Information
6.2
6
5.8
5.6
5.4
5.2
5
4.8
4.6
4.4
Digi-Key Mouser
Figure 6
Digi-Key allowed me to update my password easily, as seen in Figure 7. Mouser also included showing
how strong the new password needed to be. However, sometimes I could backtrack and lose progress
while updating my contact information in Mouser, which was not the case in Digi-Key. Both websites
were relatively low in engagement because of the repetitive design of the updating contact information
forms.
5
Figure 7 Figure 8
Task 3 – Search for Electronic Parts

In Digi-Key, I had to learn which keywords were acceptable in searching for parts, as seen in Figure 10.
The website has a specialized field with some components than with others (Figure 12). Because of this,
Digi-Key was less efficient and less engaging, but more error tolerant as it would give me feedback on
what incorrect words I typed in.
Mouser was more flexible and not as busy as Digi-Key’s organization design in filtering through products,
as seen in Figure 11.
Task 3: Search for Electronics Parts

7
0
Digi-Key Mouser
Figure 9
6
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
7
Task 4 – Browse Online Catalog
Browse Online Catalog
7
0
Digi-Key Mouser
Digi-Key was the superior website in this area, as I didn’t have to go through several navigation menus to
find the catalog, as seen in Figure 16 and 13.
For Mouser, I had to click through several menus to find the online catalog, as seen in Figure 15. I had to
put in more effort to “hunt” for the link. Because of this, it was less engaging, less efficient, and less easy
to learn than Digi-Key.
Figure 13
8
Figure 14
Figure 15
9
Figure 16
Task 5 – View Engineering Blogs and Articles

Both websites had very similar organization and aesthetic designs, as seen in Figures 18 and 19. They
were both very efficient and effective in leading the consumer to the articles posted on the engineering
blogs. I think there could be an improvement in giving a short summary under the titles so that the
consumer could get a good gist of the article before clicking on it to read the details.
Task 5: View Engineering Blogs

6.2
6
5.8
5.6
5.4
5.2
5
4.8
4.6
4.4
Digi-Key Mouser
Figure 17
10
Figure 18 Figure 19
Task 6 – Sort Through Manufacturers

Task 6: Sort Through Manufacturers
7
0
Digi-Key Mouser
Figure 20
On Digi-Key, all the links to different manufacturers and their products were listed on the same page
(Figure 23), which meant fewer clicks were needed. For Mouser, I had to navigate several menus in
order to find the manufacturers I was looking for, as seen in Figure 21 and 22.
11
Figure 21 Figure 22
Figure 23
12
Task 7 – Add Parts to Cart
Task 7: Add Parts to Cart
7
0
Digi-Key Mouser
Figure 24
Digi-Key had specific minimum and maximum quantity for parts I wanted to buy, which became trial and
error to figure out, as seen in Figure 25. However, the website was very good about giving feedback on
which quantities were incorrect to use. Because of this, Digi-Key was less efficient, but more error
tolerant. For Mouser, there didn’t seem to be a maximum or minimum I had to abide by, as seen in
Figure 26.
Figure 25
13
Figure 26
Task 8 – Access and View Order History

Task 8: Access and View Order History
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Digi-Key Mouser
Figure 27
Both websites were equally easy and efficient to use. The act of accessing and viewing order history was
essentially the same as any other online store an average consumer would have used before.
Figure 28
14
Figure 29
Task 9 – Return a Part

Task 9: Return a Part
7
0
Digi-Key Mouser
Figure 30
Digi-Key was a bit more efficient because the form was short and few clicks were needed to complete it,
as seen in Figure 31. Mouser’s form was a lot longer and required more time to fill out, which made it
less efficient and engaging, as seen in Figure 32 and 33. I would suggest that Mouser make the form
15
shorter and keep a copy of the contact information of the user and company in case the user next time
needs to return a part.
Figure 31
16
Figure 32
Figure 33
17
Task 10 – Delete an Account
Task 10: Delete Parts from Cart
7
0
Digi-Key Mouser
Both websites were very efficient and effective in terms of organization design for deleting parts from a
cart. It is very similar to many other online stores that the average consumer would have been on.
Figure 34
Figure 35
18
Recommendations/Conclusion
Both websites are very organized and aesthetically pleasing when accomplishing various tasks. They
both could improve in having more efficient navigation menus and filtering when searching for parts.
They could also improve on organizing links when searching for articles or manufacturers.
For Digi-Key, I think a more flexible filter and nicer feedback when typing for a product could really
improve the efficiency and easy to learn aspects.
For Mouser, I think a more strict filter and better organization regarding shorter paths to online catalog
and engineering blogs would improve efficiency and engaging aspects.
The total score for Digikey was 268 and Mouser was 263. Digi-Key was consistently more organized and
efficient than Mouser.
19
Bibliography
Digi-Key, Inc. (n.d.). World's Largest Selection of Electronic Components Available for Immediate
Shipment!® Retrieved from https://www.digikey.com/
Mouser Electronics, Inc. (n.d.). A TTI and Berkshire Hathaway company. Retrieved from
https://www.mouser.com/
20
Appendix
Tasks Digi-Key Mouser
TASK 1 Create New Account Create New Account
Efficient This task required a minimum amount of mouse This task required a minimum amount of mouse
clicks. clicks.
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly
Disagree Disagree Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Effective I was able to successfully finish this task. I was able to successfully finish this task.
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Engaging I was not overwhelmed by the design of the tasks I was not overwhelmed by the design of the tasks
and options. and options.
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Error Any errors I made were pointed out by the website Any errors I made were pointed out by the website
Tolerant and easily fixed. and easily fixed.
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Easy to The process of completing this task was intuitive. The process of completing this task was intuitive.
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Additional I liked that it offered company vs. personal use. I The registration offered to show strength of
Notes couldn’t understand what “mail stop” meant. password, also was immediately allowed to confirm
Customer profile was still pending, could still shop. using email verification.

TASK 2 Update Contact Information Update Contact Information
clicks. clicks.
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Additional This allowed me to update password easily. This also included showing how strong the password
Notes needed to be. Sometimes I could accidently
backtrack and lose progress on updating my
contact information.

TASK 3 Search for electronic parts Search for electronic parts
clicks. clicks.
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
2
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Additional I had to learn which keywords were acceptable. This was not as strict or as busy as Digi-Key’s design.
Notes This has a specialized filter for some components,
but not others.
3
TASK 4 Browse Online Catalog Browse Online Catalog
clicks. clicks.
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Additional I could clearly find online catalog, I didn’t have to Had to “hunt” for online catalog. I had to go
Notes go through several navigation menus. through several menus to find what I was looking
for.
4
TASK 5 Sort Through Manufacturers Sort Through Manufacturers
clicks. clicks.
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Additional Every link to different products and resources could I had to go to menu on the left to continue on to
Notes be seen on one page. see the products.

TASK 6 View Engineering Blogs View Engineering Blogs
clicks. clicks.
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Additional There was a nice filter on the left side of the There was a nice filter on the right side of the
Notes website. website.

TASK 7 Add Parts to Cart Add Parts to Cart
clicks. clicks.
7
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Additional Website pointed out minimum and maximum There doesn’t seem to be a limit to the amount of
Notes quantity of what I wanted to buy. quantities I could buy.
8
TASK 8 Access and View Order History Access and View Order History
clicks. clicks.
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Learn
9
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Additional Everything went perfectly. Virtually the same as Digi-Key.

Notes

TASK 9 Return a Part Return a Part
clicks. clicks.
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Additional The form was short and fit on the same page. Form was very long and less engaging because of
Notes the repetitive aspect of the design

TASK 10 Delete Parts from Cart Delete Parts from Cart
clicks. clicks.
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
11
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Additional Everything went perfectly. Virtually same as Digi-Key.

Notes
12

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USABILITY OF ONLINE

APRIL 14, 2019

 Create a new account.

 Efficient – This task required a minimum amount of mouse clicks.

Likert 6-Point Scale

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Agree Strongly

Task 1: Create An Account

Task 2 – Update Contact Information

Task 3 – Search for Electronic Parts

Task 3: Search for Electronics Parts

Task 5 – View Engineering Blogs and Articles

Task 5: View Engineering Blogs

Task 6 – Sort Through Manufacturers

Task 8 – Access and View Order History

Task 9 – Return a Part

Tasks Digi-Key Mouser

Tasks Digi-Key Mouser

Tasks Digi-Key Mouser

Tasks Digi-Key Mouser

Additional Everything went perfectly. Virtually the same as Digi-Key.

Tasks Digi-Key Mouser

Tasks Digi-Key Mouser

Additional Everything went perfectly. Virtually same as Digi-Key.

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