Welcome back to my
blog!
This week's
assignment is listing the top 10 rules of web design. After learning about
building and designing websites in class and through my own research, I
compiled what I believe to be the rules on web design that everyone
interested in this topic should know.
Top 10 Rules of Web
Design
1.
Simplicity
I can speak from
experience that website users becoming quickly frustrated when pages are
cluttered and confusing. When pages are crammed with information it takes
longer for users to find what they are looking for. If users experience
frustration, they are less likely to return in the future.
2.
Keep your site updated
Ultimately, the
reason users visit a site is to view and learn current content. If content
is out of date and is not constantly being updated, users will no longer have a
reason to continue visiting the site.
3. Consistency
is key
Visitors shouldn't
feel like they are visiting a new site every time they open a new page on a
site. Consistence among the pages on a site makes navigation a much easier task
and leaves the user feeling at ease and accomplished.
4.
Easy to navigate
Pages should flow in
a top-down layout and information should be listed in logical order. Over time,
it has also become an expectation that the key navigation is either at the top
or left side of the page. Do not avoid key conventions or expectations to make
a website unique or different. Instead, make the site as easy to navigate as
possible for the user. Their experience is most important.
5.
Don't write a novel
Users don't visit
sites to read, they visit them to scan. Keep information on sites brief, to the
point, and precise.
6.
Eliminate annoying features
Features including
walking and talking images of a person, sound, pop up ads, and huge
images are not only distracting and annoying to users, but they slow down
the loading time for the page immensely. Without these features, users will
enjoy their experience much more on the page and will be more likely to return
and/or stay on it longer.
"Fact: The
average time a user will wait for a page to load before leaving is 4 seconds.
Try it." -http://www.askmepc-webdesign.com/11-Rules-of-Website-Design-Try-these-and-Succeed.html
7.
Browser Compatibility
Today, it is common
that people use various Internet browsers. Therefore, it is very important that
websites are able to load on any browser. Before making a site public, check
that it works on Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and Google Chrome.
8.
Make contact a click away
By providing a link
consistently (usually) in the site's footer to a Contact Us page, users will
never experience confusion or frustration when trying to contact you for any
reason. On the Contact Us page, multiple ways for the site users to contact you
should be provided. These ways include but are not limited to: snail
mail, small, and phone. By making it easy for the user to access ways to
contact you, it communicates a personal and welcoming atmosphere and helps you
or any site owner seem more approachable.
9. Quality
Content
With a beautifully
designed site that works on every browser available, a site is an empty shell
without quality content. A good website is made up of both great design and
great content. Before publishing your site, double check that every page on
your website has unique, original content that makes them not only nice
looking, but worth visiting.
10. Learn
from others
In conclusion, most
of us learn best by good example. But with website design, there's a lot to be
gained from closely examining websites that have been poorly designed as well.
I hope these rules help you if you ever try creating your own website. I know
they have and will continue to help me!
Sources:
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