Web Site DesignWeb Site Design15 Easy Steps to an 15 Easy Steps to an Excellent Web SiteExcellent Web Site
A Well Designed Web A Well Designed Web Should:Should:
Be attractive and pleasing to look at & Be attractive and pleasing to look at & readread
Be well organizedBe well organized
Be self-explanatoryBe self-explanatory
Contain text & graphics that are carefully Contain text & graphics that are carefully linked to each otherlinked to each other
Contain design & content that are Contain design & content that are appropriate for the targeted audienceappropriate for the targeted audience
Rule #1: Easy to ReadRule #1: Easy to Read
Include a navigational structure that is Include a navigational structure that is easy to navigateeasy to navigate
Include a complementary color schemeInclude a complementary color scheme
Include graphics that are consistent in look Include graphics that are consistent in look & feel throughout the Web site& feel throughout the Web site
Include text consistent in size, color, etc.Include text consistent in size, color, etc.
Include hyperlinks that work properly & Include hyperlinks that work properly & easily accessibleeasily accessible
Rule #2: Know Your Target Rule #2: Know Your Target AudienceAudience
Determine the single most important Determine the single most important message your Web site should conveymessage your Web site should convey
Know your audience’s interestsKnow your audience’s interests
Design based on factors such as age, Design based on factors such as age, gender, & locationgender, & location
Rule #3: Make your Site Rule #3: Make your Site Navigation User-FriendlyNavigation User-Friendly
User should not have to “guess” or “hunt” for User should not have to “guess” or “hunt” for hyperlinks or informationhyperlinks or informationNeed to be able to move from one page to Need to be able to move from one page to another easilyanother easilyMore important to read and understand than More important to read and understand than have “flashy” effectshave “flashy” effects
MAXIMUM OF 3 MOUSE CLICKS TO MAXIMUM OF 3 MOUSE CLICKS TO FIND INFORMATIONFIND INFORMATION
Rule #4: Use White SpaceRule #4: Use White Space
Keep from being clutteredKeep from being cluttered
Must allow users to “breathe” Must allow users to “breathe” between different elements on between different elements on your Web pagesyour Web pages
Rule #5: Determine Size of Rule #5: Determine Size of PagePage
Users can set screen settings to Users can set screen settings to different sizesdifferent sizes
Watch out for users needing to Watch out for users needing to scrollscroll
Best size is 800 X 900 maximumBest size is 800 X 900 maximum
Rule #6: Lay out page using Rule #6: Lay out page using tablestables
Web pages don’t recognize the Web pages don’t recognize the spacebar strokesspacebar strokes
Tables can control layout and Tables can control layout and make it more interestingmake it more interesting
Watch out for pixel width!Watch out for pixel width!
Rule #7: Use Fonts that will Rule #7: Use Fonts that will Display CorrectlyDisplay Correctly
ArialArial
CourierCourier
GeorgiaGeorgia
HelveticaHelvetica
Times New RomanTimes New Roman
VerdanaVerdana
Rule #8: Keep Text Rule #8: Keep Text ConsistentConsistent
Avoid making text too small or too large Avoid making text too small or too large (8 – 14 points)(8 – 14 points)
Keep alignment of body text to the leftKeep alignment of body text to the left
Text links should be unique to other text Text links should be unique to other text on siteon site
Avoid underlining text unless it is a Avoid underlining text unless it is a hyperlinkhyperlink
Keep color of text consistent with siteKeep color of text consistent with site
Rule #9: Rule #9: Research Research
Competitor Competitor Web SitesWeb Sites
Rule #10: Rule #10: Establish a Establish a Professional Professional
IdentityIdentity
Rule #11: Rule #11: Proofread for Proofread for
Spelling, Spelling, Grammar, and Grammar, and
DesignDesign
Rule #12: Rule #12: Revise, Revise, Revise, Revise,
ReviseRevise
Rule #13: Rule #13: When in When in
Doubt…KISDoubt…KIS
Rule #14: Guidelines to Web Rule #14: Guidelines to Web Site ColorsSite Colors
Maximum of 2 – 3 colors throughout the Maximum of 2 – 3 colors throughout the web siteweb site
One color should be dominant & other is One color should be dominant & other is used for accentused for accent
Create a scheme that coordinates with Create a scheme that coordinates with overall messageoverall message
Avoid colors that make text difficult to readAvoid colors that make text difficult to read
Remember you RGB’sRemember you RGB’s
Rule #15: Have Rule #15: Have a Paper Plana Paper Plan
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