 |
Toll-free
877.720.8115 |
|
|
|
|
|
-
 Keep
large graphics and other bandwidth-intensive design elements to
a minimum. Web designers are continuing to try to
provide end users with a richer web browsing experience.
This includes Flash/Shockwave based designs, streaming audio,
streaming video, etc. that are best experienced by users that
are equipped with a broad bandwidth connection (e.g., DSL or
cable). However, nearly 30% of home internet users are still using
a dial-up connection of 56k or slower according Nielsen/NetRatings
data published in 2006. Therefore,
before committing too much to these high bandwidth items, you
need to consider your
target audience to determine whether these features will be a
benefit or a hindrance.
-
Make
sure your company's name and logo are clearly visible on each
web page. Likewise, make sure its easy for someone to find
a way to contact your business by phone, e-mail, or web-based
form.
-
Links
to other pages should be clear and easy to navigate.
-
Avoid
pop-ups that open new browser windows, especially pop-up ads.
-
Avoid
using frames, which can be difficult to navigate, take too
long to download, and can cause problems with search engine
spider recognition.
-
Structure
content into hierarchies, but don't make things too complex.
-
Put a search function in an easy-to-find spot.
-
Minimize
the need to scroll, especially to find navigation elements.
-
Key
functions such as shopping carts and help buttons should be easy
to find.
-
Keep
content current, but make available an archive of previously
published content.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Bad Web Designs |
|
| |
Sometimes
its easier to to learn by seeing examples of what not to do.
These examples of bad design came from
Web Pages That Suck.com:
Museum of
Modern Art Workspheres
Apparently
art does not extend to web design. After clicking on "enter",
you'll be confronted with 144 identical icons AND all your browser's
toolbars and menus taken away.
History Wired
A site from
the Smithsonian Institution designed by SmartMoney.com (it's good that
their money's smart, because their design isn't). This whole
thing, with its bouncing gold lines and blank white boxes can contribute
to vertigo. And if you find the drop-down that has the zoom
feature and think that you're going to see a larger view of the picture,
well, you're not. You're going to get a larger view of the white
box.
|
|
|
