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"When you're creating a site , your job is to
get rid of the question marks."  
 --Steve Krug

Website Design
 


The main goal of website design is to optimize usability. This page covers tips that include conventions and practices used in good web design that increase a website's usability.
 

Website Design Tips

How can I achieve maximum readability?
How can I make my website easy to navigate?
How can I make the main points of each page easy to find?
What can I do to ensure maximum usability?

 

How can I achieve maximum readability?

Maximum readability can be achieved by using the proper typeface, font, and white space.

  • Typeface
    Do not use a small typeface. Use regular sized text (12 pt. font) or larger. Otherwise, make sure that users can enlarge the typeface if necessary.

    Example:  Twelve point font is much easier to read than eight point font

    • Font
      It is hard to read computer-screen text. Do not use fancy, difficult to read fonts.

      Example:  Would you like to read this?

  • White Spacing
    Leave white space around the text, either on the sides or in between paragraphs.    

    Example:  Do you ever have to read long articles online for classes?  Have you ever come across an article or web page that has no breaks in it?  Was it hard to read?  Leave white spaces to separate the text, as well as emphasize key points.  This example is not that long, but just imagine if it kept going on for another couple of pages.   

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    How can I make my website easy to navigate?

    You can make your website easy to navigate by using cues, giving a navigational overview, and properly organizing a link hierarchy.

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    How can I make the main points of each page easy to find?

    You can make main points on each page easy to find by using targets, bulleted and numbered lists, and using boldface for keywords.       

    • Targets
      Targets are hyperlinks that are linked to something found on the same page, and can serve as a summary for what is found on a page. You can put a list of targets at the top of your page and hyperlink them down to the topic that appears later on the page.
       
      Example:  Take a look at the bookmarks at the top of this page.

       

    • Bulleted and Numbered Lists
      Any type of bulleted or numbered list will draw a user's attention.

    Example:  When you have objects of a similar category use bullets in front of a random list and numbers in front of an ordered list or instructions.
    • Bold Typeface
      A bold typeface will draw the user's attention to particular words.  You should always boldface headings, subheadings, and keywords.
       
      Example:  Bold keywords should be used to highlight important words or phrases.

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    What can I do to ensure maximum usability?
    • User Test
      User test your website to make sure it is the best that it can be. Always design for the user, not yourself. You can user test the content, layout, design, and navigation of your site. Gathering quantitative and qualitative data will give you the best idea of what changes you need to make to your site.


      • There are endless resources available about designing for usability and usability testing. Here are a few that I am familiar with.
       
    • Dr. Dennis G. Jerz has a bountiful supply of usability testing tips available on his site, as well as other recommended links concerning usability testing.
       
    • John Cato's book User-Centered Web Design explains how to design your site for "use, not you".
       
    • Jakob Nielsen and Marie Tahir teamed up to write Homepage Usability: 50 Website Deconstructed. This book deconstructs web pages, discussing what things you should or shouldn't include on web pages. 

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    Kelly Stevens,  12 Dec 2002