Five components of usability

Usability boils down to five components, and words wield power over each. Start with learnability—how fast can someone grasp what's going on and take control? Clear labels, consistent patterns, a map that makes sense: drop the learning curve flat.

Efficiency’s next. Can users blaze through their goals? Sharp, concise copy—like “Save” over “Preserve Changes” cuts the fat. Every extra word’s a speed bump. Memorability matters too. They leave, they return—will it click again? Familiar cues, like “Back” always meaning retreat, stick in the brain. Reinvent the wheel, and they’re lost.

Errors trip everyone up eventually. How many slip through, and how bad? More crucial: can they go back? Always throw in an “Undo” here and a "Go back" there for good measure.

Satisfaction seals it. Does it feel good to use? Clunky prompts sour the mood; crisp, human ones lift it. “All set!” lands warmer than “Process complete.”

Neglect one component, and the chain snaps. That’s usability: not just a checklist, but a rhythm users ride without noticing.