Do…
- use a background does not interrupt the text
- have text is big enough to read, but not too big
- make good use of graphic elements (photos, subheads, pull quotes) to break up large areas of text
- utilize navigation buttons and bars provide the visitor with a clue as to where they are, what page of the site they are currently on
- have pages that download quickly
Don’t…
- use navigation buttons and bars are difficult to understand and use
- have Text that stretches all the way across the page
- keep links that don't work anymore on the web page
- include junky or obtrusive advertising
- use unclear navigation; over complex navigation
One of my biggest pet peeves with web pages is obtrusive advertisements. I’ve visited some sites that have more ads than space for the actual page’s content. If at all possible, this should be avoided. A site that is user-friendly, devoid of overwhelming ads, contains useful information, and easy to navigate for both I and students keep me coming back!
5 comments:
I agree with you do's and don'ts examples for web pages. Web pages are mainly used by students and teachers in the schools. They provide interesting web sites for them to research and browse during an assignment or lesson. Web pages have been around for a long time. They are very useful and informative. Advertisements are more beneficial for businesses and not a school setting. I still think they are great to have in a media center.
I agree with many of your "do and don't" items. I like web pages that are easy to navigate and I don't have to feel like a brain surgeon to use. And nothing is more frustrating than thinking you have found the perfect link and then finding out that the website no longer exists. I get perturbed when there are so many advertisements on a page that you lose track of what you were originally looking for.
You are right about using text that is big enough to read. In fact, David Walbert's article (you can find a link to it on my '30 Second Test' blog- 4 Peas in a Pod) states the importance of web accessibility . This concept includes size of text. He goes on to say that people with disabilities, and people of all ages, need to be able to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web. Type and color of font also make a difference to the user.
So, not only are we making sure our physical media centers have equitable access, we also are carrying this over to our online presence.
It's funny that the advertisements is such a big topic. I have sort of trained myself to not pay attention to it. I know it is a necessary evil but they really don't seem to bother me as much as the interest level of the material on the web page. But as I stated in my original blog, there is something for everyone-we are all uniquely and wonderfully different and that's what makes the world go 'round or should I say the web go 'round?
You are so right. It is very important to make the web page clean and professional looking. Your list of Do's and Don'ts are key to designing a web page. Too many web pages have excessive information that is difficult to read. The key to a productive web page is that it is easy to use and inviting. Otherwise, people will avoid it.
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