Determine the emphasis that is to be placed on each of your
objectives:
All information and page navigation is to be driven by a
customer (site visitor) orientation. A customer segmentation will used to verify that each
specific group has access to their information in a manner tailored to their needs and
level of knowledge.
The 80-20 rule is to apply. 80% of all users should be able
to see all of the graphic effects. HTML extensions should be kept to a minimum. 80% of the audience will be considered to be
new to the subject area.
The home page and any sub-site home (index pages) should be
a maximum of two pages when printed to 8.5x11 paper. Concentrate the key content on the
first screen viewed. Lower linked page length should be sufficiently long to reduce the
number of individual page requests. However, these lower pages should be five pages or
less when printed.
All images should be tagged to allow early identification of
the image prior to image resolution. Image caching should be encouraged through the use of
high-level image folders for images common to multiple pages. Imbedded graphics should
transmit after any text. This will allow early jumping to other pages without having to
wait for the full graphics to download.
Content is more important than graphics. Do not attempt to
win design awards. Instead, concentrate on effective communication. Graphics should be
employed as an aid in directing attention to the information that is available and how to
access it.
Know why graphics are used: to get attention or impart
information. Advertising usually uses graphics as an attention getting device.
However, on the Internet you already have their attention, so use graphics to
enhance communication.
Background images should aid text contrast for readability,
not detract from the visitor's ability to read the document. Text contrast when
printing the document should also be considered.
All information presented will be done so with a view toward
security. Any information of a confidential nature should not
be put on the Internet. Restricted information should be presented with some type of
password access. However, if security to restricted information is breached there may be
some discomfort, but the world will not end.
Any page with the potential of being accessed from an
external web site should have a "home page" button. Probably all.
A master sitemap should be available to quickly search all
pages for information on a selected search word.
The bottom of each page should have the following buttons:
home page, Search, and FAQ. Each page will also have the following tag lines: copyright,
legal notice, and date updated.
When including video, audio, or download files include a
description of file size, so the user can decide whether or not to download the file.
Anyone can link to this site without any further notification.
(Thanks for the link.)
You may copy, use, and distribute any of the content published here if the
copyright is preserved in the document or attribution is properly given to the
author.
