UK Usability market worth more than £200 million by end of 2008

The UK Usability market will grow by an estimated 20% in 2008 to a value of £214 million, according to research published this week by e-consultancy. The continued growth of this sector is the result of a growing commitment within organisations towards usability and user experience, according to E-consultancy’s 2008 Usability and Accessibility Buyer’s Guide.

E-consultancy’s Head of Research Linus Gregoriadis said: “The growth of this market reflects the on-going buoyancy of the digital sector and the strategic importance of this channel within businesses. The agencies and consultancies profiled in this report continue to report high levels of demand for their services while companies recruit and expand their own in-house teams.”

In previous buyer’s guides, E-consultancy has estimated that the digital usability market was worth £178 million in 2007 and, before that, £148 million in 2006. The value of this sector (which includes the accessibility market) will break through the £200 million mark this year. Although the broader economic outlook remains gloomy, there are many positive signs for the market, including rapidly increasing knowledge of the benefits of user-centred design among UK organisations.

Gregoriadis added: “A growing desire for more usable websites from public and private organisations is not the only source of growth for the industry. Many usability experts are transferring their skills to non-web activities and are already finding them to be a significant source of income.”

Headline market trends:
-) Increased competition in digital marketing drives investment.
-) Awareness of the importance of usability moves beyond the web.
-) More organisations embrace user-centred design.
-) Accessibility becomes 'hygiene factor' rather than separate discipline.

Associated Link: Usability and Accessibility Buyer's Guide 2008

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