- Sketch out your ideas before hand
on a piece of paper.
- Your Web page should be easy to read
- Limit your information to concise answers. Add links
for those who want additional information.
- Your Web page should be easy to navigate
- Be sure your links are easy to find, easy to see, and
easy to use. Make sure that users can get to the information
they want quickly.
- Use consistent layout design and organization
- Consistently will help users feel comfortable on your
site and avoid confusion. Keep your links in the same
location. Use similar colors and design on pages throughout
the site.
- Your Web page should be quick to download
- The average user will wait 10 to 15 seconds for a page
to download before moving on.
- In long pages, use "jump to" links
(Back to top, etc.) - Makes your pages easier to use.
- Always keep the audience and purpose
for the site in mind - Build a new site if your purpose
has changed. Always think about your audience's experience
when they come to your site.
- Use ample white space - To much clutter
is overwhelming and users will not see or use everything.
If there is too much information on one page, add a new
page.
- Keep your home page short, with as
little scrolling as possible - This will make your home
page more attractive for users. Additional pages should
not be longer then 2 ½ pages of scrolling.
- Provide a contact for users if they
need to email you - This is very important for feedback.
- Keep links to other external pages
minimal, but if you provide links, it is a good idea
to make it so the link pops up in a new window, so your
site is always there for them to return to.
- Use good grammar and spelling. Use
a spell checker! Have a friend or two review your site.
- Keep your image and page size to a
minimum - Use a image editing application like PhotoShop
to compress images to reduce image size. It is recommended
that Web pages not be larger then 50K to reduce downloading
time. (Most users still have a 56K modem)
- Test your pages on several different
machines for resolution and compatibility (IBM, Mac,).
- Be aware of the technologies you are
using and how this may affect users using different browsers,
on different connection speeds, operating systems (Flash,
etc.).
- Use META tags. This will increase
traffic.
- Use a descriptive title for each Web
page. This will display in the top banner of each page
and in the subject line of search engines.
- Maintain good links. Test your site!
Check both internal and external links.
- Use Alternate tags for images. Some
users still use browsers which do not display images.
- Use original content and graphics.
Use your own or get permission before you use someone
else's work. Many graphics have copyrights on them.
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