Web Design Standards

What makes a good website Well Organized, Easy to Navigate – Provide multiple ways to connect to the same page – Use the “Hyper” in Hyperlink to your advantage Easy to Read – Dark text on a light background Interactive Appropriate Use of Graphics

What makes a good website Keep Pages Short! – Anything beyond 1.5 to 2 scroll lengths overwhelms the audience Tech Stuff – Appropriate, Easy to remember domain name – Search Engine Optimization

Designing a Website Keep your audience in mind – Usability/Accessibility – How tech savvy is your audience? Center structure around audience’s needs – Think about why people would come to your site, what are they looking for? Consistent Layout – Navigation scheme Avoid Using Frames

The Homepage First page of your site that most will see first All pages should link back to your homepage Only the first 4 to 5 vertical inches of your page will be visible by everyone

The Homepage Four types of homepages – Menu (Craigslist)Craigslist – News Oriented (syracuse.com)syracuse.com – Path based (Syracuse University)Syracuse University – Splash Screens (Barcelona Soccer, Funky Punky, Casiology)Barcelona SoccerFunky Punky Casiology Avoid, reduce credibility and cause up to 71% traffic loss Graphics or text based?

Contact Page Important!! Make contact information easy to find Format of addresses Don’t forget telephone numbers and physical addresses as well

Other Important Pages to Have Site Map FAQ Page Search Feature “What’s New” Other related sites pages

A few basics… Website is dated and signed – When last updated – Organizational name on every page Spelling and Grammar! – No quicker way to lose credibility All hyperlinks work External hyperlinks open in a new window Website is pleasing to the eye No automatic music!!

Examples World’s Worst Website Websites that Suck Bad Town of Moreau Good Elbridge Chamber of Commerce

References _a_good_website.htm _a_good_website.htm