 | Download (page size)...
 | If the site is broadly accessed (e.g., by general public) then assume
typical access of 28kbps. |
| Remember page size includes HTML and graphics. |
| Take advantage of image caching. |
| Consider layering page sizes (e.g., home page: 20-30 KB, second layer:
up to 40 KB, third layer and further 50KB). |
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| Browser compatibility...
| Try to be compatible. |
| Avoid browser specific formatting and technologies. |
| Be clear what you are compatible with if necessary. |
|
| Does the site identify/support the owner?
| Includes a logo or name to identify the site. |
| Includes a brief, succinct definition of the owner. |
| Identify how the site is valuable and special (i.e., unique). |
| Identify the owner (about, resume, news information, contact us). |
|
| Is the site "scannable" - i.e., can you get the basic message in
a quick read (good) or must you read everything (not so good)?
| Avoid redundancy (e.g., repeating text, links). |
| Use consistent formatting (fonts, sizes, styles). |
| Labeling is useful but should add something (e.g., set a tone). |
| Use bullets (with more than one item). |
| Substitute text paragraphs with bullets. |
| Start with conclusions, then support it. |
| Avoid corporate lingo, acronyms, abbreviations, etc.. |
| Avoid all caps, extra spaces (between letters, words). |
|
| Does the site use examples effectively?
| Use words and pictures to improve understanding. |
| Use examples to make things clear. |
| Use links and examples together |
|
| Does the site preserve the past? Preserve important content for
reference (by filenames, easy-to-use links, etc.). |
| Links...
| Should be differentiable (colors, wording, etc.). |
| Do not use "click here". |
| Show visited, unvisited links. |
| Identify links to different content. |
|
| Navigation...
| Make primary navigation stand out. |
| Avoid navigation at the bottom of the page unless it is redundant. |
| Avoid routing pages (just links) -- try to include useful content. |
| Group similar links together. |
| Do not duplicate links by coming from different places. |
| Always have a link the home page. |
| Avoid icons (use text in buttons). |
| Do not use made-up words or owner-specific lingo. |
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| Search...
| Have search on the home page. |
| Use a "Search" button. |
| Search the entire site. |
| Avoid "Search the Web" options. |
|
| Browser Tools...
| Do not reproduce browser functions (Back, Reload). |
| Focus on major tasks (e.g., present information, fill out a form,
etc.). |
|
| Pictures...
| Use appropriate format for graphics. |
| Use ALT tags to explain pictures. |
| Use pictures as content, not decoration. |
| Label pictures if meaning is not clear. |
| Crop pictures appropriately to the page layout. |
| Use animation for a reason, not to entertain. |
| Do not animate logos and page elements to make them stand out. |
|
| Page design...
| Avoid broad color spectrum. |
| Use color to segment and highlight. |
| Limit fonts and styles. |
| Use high contrast between background and foreground text. |
| Keep important stuff "above the fold". |
| Use "liquid layout" to take advantage of the page space. |
| Avoid horizontal scrolling to 800X600. |
|
| Widgets...
| If widgets are used to support links, they should be hot. |
| Avoid overly long menu drop-downs/popups and make them
self-explanatory. |
|
| URLs
| Make sure your site responds to both acme.com and www.acme.com. |
| Consider using alternative spellings for the domain...e.g., acme.com,
akme.com, acmee.com. |
|
| Windows and Popup Windows...
| Do not use popup windows on the homepage. |
| if using popup windows, make the close button obvious and prominent
(top-left). |
| Do not use splash screens. |
|
| Credits and bragging...
| Keep award bragging to a minimum and not on the the home page. |
| If bragging about awards, make them recent. |
| Avoid credits in general, especially on the home page, or bury them at
the bottom. |
|
| Forms...
| Vertically position input boxes and provide adequate room for input
(i.e., character count). |
| Make labels descriptive (e.g., "Enter Zip Code (5 digit):"). |
| Validate user input locally and make error messages clear; take the
user back (focus) to the problem identified. |
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| Interactives (plug-ins, ActiveX, etc.)...
| Clearly explain the use of the item (why it is there, how to use it). |
| Clearly explain need to download supporting elements (e.g., plug-ins). |
| Automate as much as possible for downloading support components. |
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| Multimedia (digital audio and video)...
| Avoid use when bandwidth is limited. |
| Avoid background music (e.g., MIDI files) unless they add something. |
| Be careful with formats, explain special requirements (e.g., browser
level, drivers, etc.). |
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