Web Site Design 15 Easy Steps to an Excellent Web Site

A Well Designed Web Should: Be attractive and pleasing to look at & read Be well organized Be self-explanatory Contain text & graphics that are carefully linked to each other Contain design & content that are appropriate for the targeted audience

Rule #1: Easy to Read Include a navigational structure that is easy to navigate Include a complementary color scheme Include graphics that are consistent in look & feel throughout the Web site Include text consistent in size, color, etc. Include hyperlinks that work properly & easily accessible

Rule #2: Know Your Target Audience Determine the single most important message your Web site should convey Know your audience’s interests Design based on factors such as age, gender, & location

Rule #3: Make your Site Navigation User-Friendly User should not have to “guess” or “hunt” for hyperlinks or information Need to be able to move from one page to another easily More important to read and understand than have “flashy” effects MAXIMUM OF 3 MOUSE CLICKS TO FIND INFORMATION

Rule #4: Use White Space Keep from being cluttered Must allow users to “breathe” between different elements on your Web pages

Rule #5: Determine Size of Page Users can set screen settings to different sizes Watch out for users needing to scroll Best size is 800 X 900 maximum

Rule #6: Lay out page using tables Web pages don’t recognize the spacebar strokes Tables can control layout and make it more interesting Watch out for pixel width!

Rule #7: Use Fonts that will Display Correctly ArialCourierGeorgiaHelvetica Times New Roman Verdana

Rule #8: Keep Text Consistent Avoid making text too small or too large (8 – 14 points) Keep alignment of body text to the left Text links should be unique to other text on site Avoid underlining text unless it is a hyperlink Keep color of text consistent with site

Rule #9: Research Competitor Web Sites

Rule #10: Establish a Professional Identity

Rule #11: Proofread for Spelling, Grammar, and Design

Rule #12: Revise, Revise, Revise

Rule #13: When in Doubt…KIS

Rule #14: Guidelines to Web Site Colors Maximum of 2 – 3 colors throughout the web site One color should be dominant & other is used for accent Create a scheme that coordinates with overall message Avoid colors that make text difficult to read Remember you RGB’s

Rule #15: Have a Paper Plan