Website Tips  

There are a couple of things that you probably want to know with regards to websites. Here are a couple of ground rules that you can use in creating your website.

1- Don't confuse the viewer - adopt a consistent design for your site. For example, keep the same navigational tools and graphics.

2- Don't confuse the viewer part 2 - make sure to create a simple and clear design that will allow your user to find the information they are looking for. Don't add links for the novelty of it.

3- Don't make oversize pages. Lots of people have small screens - design for 480-640 pixel monitors

4- Don't design pages that require scrolling. 75 percent of people will only read the top of your page. Most internet browsers will never scroll.

5- Don't use big, slow graphics - make sure that your information is quickly loaded onto a dial-up website in the same way it would with someone who has cable internet. Having thumbnails for large pictures helps, or perhaps saving them for the web (many programs have this as an option under "Save as").

6- Don't use a lot of colors. Monochromatic color is easier on the eyes, so keep color use to a minimum, and use colors that have the greatest contrast (for example, white, black and red) for easier reading. (see more tips for colors this link).

7- Don't use tiny type. Make sure to have a font that is large enough to be read even on the smallest screen. For example, this font is really hard to read so you probably won't read it.

Adapted From: 

Black, Roger and Sean Elder. Web Sites that Work. San Jose, CA: Adobe, 1997.