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KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid
by
07 Dec 2005
Rating:  (1 vote
- 5.00 average)
A small collection of useful tips that will greatly improve the success of your web site.
Include Engaging Content - A site should have fresh content. You have 10 seconds to get the user's attention.
Include Valuable Content On Top-Fold Of Window- Use this area for important content. This includes, navigation, menu links, and/or descriptive information.
Choose Color Wisely- Color sets the mood
- Why is setting the mood important?
- Setting a mood will enchance any message.
- By using the right combination of colors, you can create an atmosphere or mood in which the viewer is more likely to respond.
- Choose contrasting colors
Consistency And Focus Important Throughout A Site.- If the menu is on top, make sure the menu is on top on all pages.
Design With Your Target On Mind- Do you know the objectives and market segment your site is aiming for?
Gather detailed profiles of your 'market'. For example, if you're aiming towards people over 50 years old. Do you know and understand their behaviors, needs, and wants? Do you know...
- the average person at this age have a monitor resolution of 800*600?
- the older a person is the more blind they become?
- the older a person is the smarter they become?
NOTE: This is not a message to ignore everyone else. A good design will attract people from all sides. This is a message to emphasize key features that may or may not be required for your target segment.
The Visual Design Of A Site Only Makes A Small Difference When It Comes To Usability. - Do not spend to much time on eye candy. However, this does not mean you should ignore it. Show your personality and distinguish your site from others.
Never Assume People Know What Your Site Is About- The purpose and benefits of web site should be clear and visible.
Links Should Be Clear And Visible- Consistency would greatly help ... eg, if a link is blue and underlined make sure it stays like this on all links; do not mix and match. Use "title" attribute on all links. Never assume a user knows that an image is a button. eg. an image standing on it's own.
Navigation Should Be Restricted To A Small Number Of Links.- Navigation should have clear and descriptive links and should be consistent. Never leave people guessing.
Proofread Content For Typographical Errors- Check for typos, grammar, broken links, and buggy scripts.
Include White Space In Page Layout- People are more inclined to read if content is not clutter and long. Use white space to break apart content. Just imagine if this page was one big paragraph with no space. How would you react to it?
Analyze Stats / Log Files- Understanding how people "react" to your site can help you generate more traffic. By analyzing your site's log files you can track your audience, learn which pages are most popular, and identify technical problems. Ultimately, you can create a better experience for you and your end users.
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