Designing a web site has many different facets including the appearance, the content, how the user navigates around the site and the actual creation of the site.
Initially it needs to be established why a web site is required as this will determine the fuctionality and design foundation.
The look and feel of a site is extremely important. People should have a pleasant experience. We want our viewers to feel comfortable and stay to have a look around – similar to having a welcoming shop front. People have expectations about how a web site should look and feel. This involves the combination of the following main areas:
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- A web site should load quickly
People will not wait long for a page to load. Usually between 10 - 20 seconds.
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- Be Concise.
Short sentences are better than long.
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- A simple navigation structure
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- Be specific.
One idea - one sentence.
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- Cross browser compatability
Not everyone has the same browsers.
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- Important information first
Elaborate further down the page.
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- Should be accessable to everyone
People with old equipment.
Disabled people.
Some people are colour blind
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- Use bullets
This draws attention and is easier to read fast.
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- Highlight text
This makes it easier for people to scan over the page and retrieve important information.
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Reading techniques, trends and problems on the internet
Tiring on the eyes
Reading from a monitor can be tiring on the eyes and people have a tendacy to read a little slower than with printed material (make content printable).
There is also a need for white spaces or space between writing to aid in eye focusing.
People tend to scan more when on the internet.
Highlighting text will impart instant information.
People want information fast – they are in a hurry.
They do not want to continually scroll down a page. It is better to have more pages with links than have one with continual scrolling. Put the important information first.
Readers are sceptical.
Information needs to be credible – use objective language and meaningful headings and sub-headings.
Information should be up to date and accurate.
Not all readers have English as a first language so writing should not be over complicated.
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Main Points |
Fonts
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- cross browser compatability
- consistant
- used for highlighting
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Colour
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- consistant
- have meaning
- highlighting
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Background
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- same throughout the site
- not to distract from page content
- blending continuity of pages
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Buttons
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- part of navigation
- clear and distinct
- effects - changes on roll over
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Tables
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- used for formating
- combining information
- easier to read
- used for columns
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Logo
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- brand of business
- part of advertising
- draws readers attention
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Navigation
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- cross browsing
- easy to load
- readers ease of use
- Familiar of use
- clear
- connecting important information
- linking for further detail
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