Evolution of a Home Page [con't]

Conclusions

Designing a Web site is not a one-time affair. The design, layout, and even content can change over time. Here's a summary of what we've learned going through this process:

Web Design Tips

• Design a clean, simple logo
• Use it and/or a metaphor throughout the site
• Avoid forcing users to scroll where possible
• Put important information/links "above the fold"
• Use text for text, and graphics for graphics
• Minimize the screen height of your graphics and layout
• Maximize the screen width of your layout (600 pixels max, 544 for WebTV) (use WIDTH=100% instead)
• Carefully crop, optimize, minimize the number and bit depth of all graphics
• Optimize HTML for speed (front page should download in less than 8 seconds on 56K modem). See also WebSiteOptimization.com for more optimization details.
• Create a scalable site structure (directories vs. .html files)
• Think carefully about your site's organization. Design hierarchically for expansion
• Use consistent, transparent navigation (toolbars top/bottom)
• Use a database or consistent, streamlined site-wide templates/includes/css for easy updates
• Automate as much as possible (site updates w/ RSS, DB, column creation/posting, newsletter creation, etc.)
• Use short, descriptive labels/titles (see usability resources)
• Put important keywords at beginning of headlines/titles/headers (not "yoursite.com - page 5 - usability resources")
• Links: Don't change the default link colors/underline, user's expect underlined blue/purple links
• Group site areas logically, preferably in groups of 5-7 items
• Use white space where possible
• Test on multiple platforms and browsers
• Use height and width for images to speed display
• Use alt text for images
• For major changes, use a test page, don't play with the live page
• Add new technologies and features if they are truly useful
• Don't just link, create original content
• Experiment, invite feedback, and have fun

JavaScript/Flash/Java

• JavaScript: Test and retest, there are bugs, some catastrophic
• Place/load JavaScripts at the end of the page, for maximum page display speed
• Optimize front page JavaScript/code (short variable names, removes extraneous characters)
• Avoid scrolling text that distracts users from your content (we use a "flipper")

Original: January 26, 1997