From Eveningsnews.com
Instantly Improve Usability of Your Web Site
By
Sep 22, 2007, 12:26
Usability and easy navigation are key elements is having a successful website. No matter what your web site content is about two very important keys to a successful web site are usability and easy navigation.
You should try to make your site user friendly. Here are some tips to help you keep your site user friendly.
Home Page: Make sure you have a link to your home page on every page of your web site. Make it easy for users to see. You can put it on the same spot on each and every page so users know where it is.
Links: If you have links on your web site make them look like links. You can underline them. Let users know a link is a link.
Text Size: You can use small text to save space on your web site but users may have a difficult time reading your information. If users cannot read your pages they will not stay on your site. Keep your text set on a readable size.
Navigation: Navigation is a key element to your web site. Put your navigation bar on the top of your page, or run it down the side. Keep the navigation bar in the same location to make your site easy to navigate.
Orientation: If your web site has lots of pages you will want your users to be able to know where they are, and how they got there. Make sure your site has a clickable path to show users how they got where they are, and how to go back to where they have been.
Content: How many times have you read "Content is King". You see it so often when reading about web sites because it is true. Make your content short and to the point since your users scan rather than read most web pages. Kiss. Keep it short and simple.
Placement: Keep the feature points of your web site in the same place on each page so users will know where to find them. Every page has different information on it but your users will not like to have to search every page. Keep your site pages uniform. If you have banners on your web site keep them small and located at the top of the page. .
The 30 Second Rule: In 30 seconds your site visitors should know the site they are on and where on that site they are.
Search: A search box is a helpful tool for your users if you have a lot of pages on your web site. Put a search box on the right hand side of your web page and make it easy to see.
Speed: Nobody likes a slow web site. Using Flash effects can slow your site to the point that your users will leave. Make sure your site flows quickly.
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