Design: Web Design
Even if a website contains quality content and runs well, it won't be effective unless it is well-designed including layout, text, visuals, audio, video and other components.
As you plan the elements in your website, keep in mind the overall interface design. Always keep the users in mind.
Layout
Simplicity and consistency play a key role in usability.
Consistent. Your pages should look like they were all created at the same time. Your CSS can help with this consistency. Repeat common elements such as navigation elements, colors, styles, text elements, visual elements, and formatting from page to page. Each page should look like it belongs to the whole. In addition, be sure to maintain a consistent alignment of objects.
Color and Contrast. Think about what draws you eye to the page. The strongest visual elements should be the most important. In other words, the largest, most colorful aspect should be the most important. Avoid items that will compete with each other for attention on the page.
Clean. Provide lots of white space around objects. Consider proximity. Items that are close together should be related in some way. Also be sure that your website is accurate and free from errors. Check spelling and grammar before posting pages and check links regularly.
Screen Issues
Screen orientation is a common problem. In other words, don't assume that everyone has the same size screen or resolution setting. Design your pages so they will be accessible to everyone. Here are some tips:
- Flexible Width. Create screen resolution independent pages. Set up your page so it fills 100% of the screen rather than a specific number of pixels. Try to avoid more than 600 width. Many people still use a 640 x 460 screen size. Also, avoid scrolling sideways by creating a flexible width.
- Scolling. Avoid lengthy scrolling on pages. If you have lots of scrolling use embedded links to facilitate use.
- Content. As you design your title banner, navigation areas, and content, consider what will dominate the screen. As a rule you want 80% content and 20% navigation.
Accessible Design
People come to your page using a variety of technology. Provide an interface that's flexible enough to meet diverse. Although the latest technology might be cool, avoid technologies that involve plug-ins that might not be available to all users. If you decide to use a new technology, be sure to provide an alternative.
Because some people may be using older computers and slow connections, provide quick response time. This means compressing images, using small visuals, and avoiding large downloads. Visuals will load faster if you include height and width for each. If you're providing large documents or videos, consider dividing them into smaller pieces.
Read Web Style Guide: Interface Design for some background information on designing web pages.
Learn More
Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity by Jakob Nielsen
Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug
The Non-Designer's Web Book by Robin Williams and John Tollett
Prioritizing Web Usability by Jacob Nielsen and Hoa Loranger