To ensure a successful online business in 2023, it is crucial to prioritize usability. Usability refers to the ease of use and user-friendliness of a website or application. Here are some usability tips to consider:

1. Mobile Optimization: With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, it is essential to have a mobile-optimized website. Ensure that your website is responsive and adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes. Consider using a mobile-first design approach, where the mobile version is given priority during development. This will enhance the user experience and cater to the growing number of mobile users.

Example: Airbnb is a great example of a mobile-optimized website. It provides a seamless experience across different devices, allowing users to easily browse and book accommodations on their smartphones.

2. Streamlined Navigation: Simplify the navigation structure of your website to make it intuitive and easy to navigate. Use clear and descriptive labels for menu items and avoid overwhelming users with too many options. Implement a search feature to help users quickly find what they are looking for.

Example: Amazon has a streamlined navigation system with clear categories and a search bar. Users can easily find products based on their preferences, making the shopping experience efficient and user-friendly.

3. Fast Loading Speed: Users have little patience for slow-loading websites. Optimize your website's performance by minimizing file sizes, leveraging browser caching, and using content delivery networks (CDNs) to deliver content faster. Conduct regular speed tests and make improvements as necessary.

Example: Google's search engine is known for its fast loading speed. It prioritizes delivering search results quickly, ensuring a smooth user experience.

4. Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs): Use clear and visually appealing CTAs to guide users towards desired actions. Make sure they stand out from the rest of the content and are placed strategically on the page. Use action-oriented language to encourage users to take the desired action.

Example: Slack effectively uses CTAs throughout its website. The "Get Started for Free" CTA on their homepage is prominent and encourages users to sign up for their service.

5. Minimalistic Design: Adopt a clean and minimalistic design approach to avoid overwhelming users with excessive information or cluttered layouts. Use whitespace effectively to enhance readability and focus attention on important elements. Ensure that the design is consistent across all pages to provide a cohesive user experience.

Example: Apple's website is known for its minimalistic design. It uses ample whitespace and focuses on showcasing its products with clean and simple visuals, creating an elegant and user-friendly interface.

References:
- Nielsen Norman Group: https://www.nngroup.com/
- Smashing Magazine: https://www.smashingmagazine.com/
- Google PageSpeed Insights: https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights