Broadcasters struggle to deliver top World Cup web experiences

User experience consultancy Webcredible has released research findings indicating that UK commercial broadcaster ITV has failed to provide an adequate online service for football fans, achieving a usability score of 52%. Organising body FIFA topped the poll with 74% with the BBC, Eurosport and Sky Sports just behind with 72%.

Sites were graded according to 10 usability guidelines, such as navigation, user support and orientation. Different broadcasters excelled in different areas, Sky performed high in the engagement stakes, while the BBC performed well in linking related content to create an integrated experience.

A surprising finding

Trenton Moss, director at Webcredible comments, "Despite the overall high scores, it's surprising that the sites reviewed didn't perform better because the information generated by the World Cup is pre-structured and well understood.

"The 2010 World Cup is seeing people going online en masse like no other World Cup before it, not just for information and scores but also to stream matches. This coupled with increasing access on mobile devices means that with the choice of content available, users will not hang around on a site that they find difficult to use, but will head for a competitor."

The full report, "World Cup websites: All to play for", can be read here.