Guidelines 
for an Effective Web Site

Before designing your Web page…
Take a look at existing Web sites especially sites that are related to your content and write down the following:

Ø        Your initial thoughts when you visit that site

Ø        Your initial feelings when you visit that site

Ø        What your eye is drawn to initially on the page

Critical Content
Know your target audience.  The colors, layout, content and number of pages for your site may vary depending upon the target audience

Your Web site should start with a home page.  The home page is where the visitor can see an overview of the entire Web site.

Announce who is responsible for the existence of the Web page.

Use clear, concise titles that identify or announce the purpose of the page

List appropriate dates, such as the date written or the date the page was last changed.

Each individual Web page should have one purpose or present one concept. Avoid splitting one concept into two parts simply to reduce the size of a page. Include a navigation bar on every page throughout the Web site in a consistent place.  This way visitors can easily get from one page to another throughout the site.

A navigation bar should contain no more than eight choices.  Too many choices can confuse or overwhelm the visitor.  If you must use more than eight choices, divide the navigation bar into two separate elements.

If your pages are long, consider placing the navigation bar at both the top and bottom of the page

People scan words on the Web.  Therefore, use short line lengths and place the text inside narrow columns

Use Bookmarks – Visitors don’t like to scroll.

Be consistent

Color is a key element in Web site design.  The use of color and graphics should blend well without overpowering the site’s text. 

When using background colors, use them consistently.  Choose a background color that is effective, yet easily read when text is placed over it.  A busy or patterned background can detract from the message you’re trying to convey.  Dark backgrounds can be annoying to print.  If you know that users will print out your pages, use a white background.

It is best to keep link colors at their defaults.  Users rely on the familiarity of link colors to know both where they’ve been and where they are going throughout your Web site. 

Use a style guide to help keep consistency throughout your Web site. http://www.hwg.org/resources/html/style.html

Thoroughly test all the links!

Be sure to annotate links so that visitors have a clear idea about what's at the other end.

Structure the material so that visitors do not have to follow too many links to get to the "meat."

If you want people to get in touch with you, make sure the contact information is immediately and easily identifiable.

Do not publish pages before they are ready. Wait until a page has enough content to be of value to a visitor before adding it to your site.

Do not say a page is “under construction”. The general assumption is that all sites are under construction

Remember, just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should!

The simpler it is, the most effective it is.

The more you have on your Web site, the longer it will take to load.  It should take no longer than 30 seconds to load.  If it takes longer, visitors lose interest and cancel the view!

Keep in mind the time it takes to transfer images, and use them judiciously.  Use a descriptive line of text with every image.  His way the user will have an understanding of what the image is or what it should be if it had loaded. E.g. <img src=”principal.jpg” width=”90” height=”100” alt=”Thomas P. Dolan, Principal”>

Use "thumbnails" (miniature versions of images) if you have a need for many images on a single page. Visitors can click on these images to see the full-sized versions.

Maintain your Web site.  Users want new information  -- make it clear to the user what pages have been updated by placing a “NEW” graphic on the page or by using bright red lettering.
http://www.webtrends.com

For further information:

Ø        Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Designing Web Pages www.scsite.com/fp2000/more.htm

Ø        Web Design Tips
www.scsite.com/web/SCWebDes.htm click Web Design Tips

Ø        Quick Reference on “how tos”
www.scsite.com/off2000/qr.htm click MS FrontPage Page 2000

Ø        HTML Disasters www.zdnet.com/yil/content/growth/computer/oopsie.html

Using FrontPage 2000

This site is maintained by Dr. Gail Laoria, Business Chairperson at
H. Frank Carey High School. 
230 Poppy Avenue
Franklin Square, NY  11010
Contact us at Laoria@unix.asb.com or [516] 539-9422

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