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GCN Home > 06/18/07 issue

By the book

“Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines” on:

The home page
A well-constructed home page will project a good first impression to all who visit the site.

It is important to ensure that the home page has all of the features expected of a home page and looks like a home page to users. ... A home page should clearly communicate the site’s purpose, and show all major options available on the Web site. Generally, the majority of the home page should be visible “above the fold,” and should contain a limited amount of prose text. Designers should provide easy access to the home page from every page in the site.

Page layout
It is usually a good idea to ensure that the pages show a moderate amount of white space — too much can require considerable scrolling, while too little may provide a display that looks too “busy.” It is also important to ensure that page layout does not falsely convey the top or bottom of the page, such that users stop scrolling prematurely. When a Web page contains prose text, choose appropriate line lengths. Longer line lengths usually will elicit faster reading speed, but users tend to prefer shorter line lengths.

Headings and titles
Most users spend a considerable amount of time scanning rather than reading information on Web sites. Well-designed headings help to facilitate both scanning and reading written material. Designers should strive to use unique and descriptive headings, and to use as many headings as necessary to enable users to find what they are looking for — it is usually better to use more rather than fewer headings. ... Designers should ensure that each page has a unique and descriptive page title.

Images and graphics
When used appropriately, graphics can facilitate learning. ... When used appropriately, images, animation, video, and audio can add tremendous value to a Web site. ... When images must be used, designers should ensure that the graphics do not substantially slow page download times. ...

Sometimes it is necessary to label images to help users understand them. Usability testing should be used to help ensure that Web site images convey the intended message.

Navigation
Create a common, Web site-wide navigational scheme to help users learn and understand the structure of your Web site. Use the same navigation scheme on all pages by consistently locating tabs, headings, lists, search, site map, etc. ... Make navigational elements different enough from one another so that users will be able to understand the difference in their meaning and destination. Grouping reduces the amount of time that users need to locate and identify navigation elements.

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