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Good design applies to both individual web pages and websites as a whole.
I summarised the key elements of good web design, from an end user viewpoint, as:
Pages load quickly and provide something to read almost instantly.
A lot of users have dial up connections e.g. 56k modems. Although "broadband" is increasing, it is still important that pages load quickly. Five to seven seconds appears to be the acceptable standard.
What I have done:
- Small page sizes i.e. about 10 kb in most cases.
- Use of frames - once loaded, the "menu" does not have to be "re-loaded".
- Minimum use of graphics - if they are used, they are used again and again.
- Use of multiple tables - one for the heading, one for the first subheading, one for the first content, etc. Browsers require the full detail before they display a table. Thus, the smaller, the better. You may see the content "flow" down the page as it is loaded.
Note: CSS allows for page layout control, eliminating the need for tables. However, some writers suggest that the various browser versions have difficulty displaying pages correctly. I have personally found sites that "overlay" information, making the page useless. Tables are working for me. I will review the situation at the next re-development point.
- Use of CSS - once loaded - the browser "remembers" it. It reduces the file size dramatically.
- Use of JavaScript includes - reduces file size. "Repeated" ones are "remembered" by the browser.
Pages are well laid out and easy to assess i.e. work out what they are about.
This is about consistent design. Being similar to others is better than being a radical with a completely new design.
They meet a standard template, see: Template Discussion for the reasons why templates are essential. The IBM article provides a good sample. If you want further information, do a search.
Users move quickly. If they have found your page in a search engine search, it only takes a couple of "clicks" to move to the next site. You must obtain their attention and interest. You must not "frustrate" them.
Pages are static i.e. they do not jump about as images load.
This is really annoying. It happens on too many "big company" sites. I'm not sure if it is the technology, but all I do is ensure the table sizes are specified correctly and that the image height and width is given. The browser does the rest.
Pages are "search engine friendly".
I have done a lot of work to achieve this. The best advice at present is to avoid the "gimmicks" that are not "search engine friendly'.
The Search Engine Optimisation section provided a comprehensive introduction to this area.
Pages are easy to navigate so that you can find what you want.
Using frames complicated this for me, but the constant menu really simplifies navigation. On this site, there are many devices available - see Navigation - a guide to the navigation features of this site.
Content is useful and worthwhile.
This is the most important part. The site must contain worthwhile and useful information. This is the area I can now concentrate on.
Good content keeps visitors and encourages them to return.
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