This project evaluates the usability of Newegg's e-commerce platform using established heuristic principles. The goal was to identify friction points in the user experience, assess how well the interface supports user goals, and provide actionable recommendations grounded in usability best practices.
Evaluation approach
- Applied Nielsen's 10 usability heuristics as the primary evaluation framework.
- Assessed navigation, search, product pages, checkout flow, and account management.
- Documented findings with severity ratings to prioritize remediation effort.
- Connected usability gaps to their practical impact on user trust and conversion.
Key findings
- Search filtering was inconsistent and sometimes lost state between page loads.
- Error messages during checkout lacked enough specificity to help users recover.
- Some product comparison flows required excessive navigation and context switching.
- Mobile layout had uneven spacing and tap target sizing in critical purchase flows.
Severity ratings summary
| Finding | Heuristic Violated | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Filter state lost on back navigation | User control and freedom | High |
| Vague checkout error messages | Help users recognize and recover from errors | High |
| Comparison tool navigation depth | Recognition rather than recall | Medium |
| Mobile tap target sizing | Flexibility and efficiency of use | Medium |
Recommendations
- Persist filter and sort state across browser back navigation.
- Replace generic error text with field-specific, actionable guidance.
- Surface product comparisons from within search results rather than a separate flow.
- Audit mobile touch targets against WCAG 2.5.5 minimum size guidelines.
Why this project matters
Usability evaluation is a practical skill for anyone working in IT systems design or security. Poor UX drives workarounds that increase risk. This project shows I can analyze systems from the user's perspective, not just the infrastructure layer, and communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.