User-Friendly
From Sunshine Review
A User-Friendly Website has multiple components affecting such a conclusion, ranging from the HTML/CSS programing, accessibility and visual appeal.
Contents |
[edit] Likes versus Dislikes
Despite the tangible nature of website, it is also filled with a variety of subjective decisions that are made by the designer for "attraction" purpose. Therefore, although one person may like a color scheme while another prefers something completely different, there is certainly room for artistic interpretation. However, despite these artistic liberties, there still are certain rules and regulations that need to be adhered to for a variety of reasons and purposes. Judge the site more on content and accessibility rather than how many bells and whistles are attached.
[edit] Visual Content
- Is the website over-cluttered with graphics and/or text? (Can significantly interfere/impede with downloads, especially via dial-up or even DSL)
- Is there a consistent menu bar providing direct-connect linking to primary sub-directories? (Can you get back to the home page by clicking the same spot on the screen no matter what page you are on?)
- Is there clear statement of timeliness relative to what is being displayed? (If its a link to a budget report, is there a statement as to when it was uploaded and/or originally published/produced?)
- Is there consistency with placement of promotional/highlighted materials? (Is there a specific location a visitor can return to for certain information-at-a-glance, such as a banner ad at the top of the page or a headline generating script?)
- Do the graphics render properly or is there an outline with a red "X" in the upper-right hand corner?
[edit] Coding and Programming
HTML programming is one of the more common languages used to build the architecture of a website. It is a set of instructions your browser "reads" and then projects in the form of a web page.
- Does the HTML programming pass W3C standards? (If the site is compliant, they are permitted to display the W3C badge on their site stating compliance)
- Does the CSS programming pass W3C standards? (If the site is compliant, they are permitted to display the W3C badge on their site stating compliance)
- Are there meta tags addressing categories such as keywords and descriptions?
- Do the java scripts work properly or do error messages
[edit] Internal Search Engine
- Is the search engine accessible from every page?
- Do the results appear to match your search criteria?
[edit] Browser Compatibility
Browser compatibility issues continue to float through the web industry and from time to time, a site that renders properly using IE or Mozilla Firefox will not produce the same results in Opera or Safari. Notify the web designer if the site does not appear to be displaying properly.
[edit] Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
- Images & animations: Use the alt attribute to describe the function of each visual.
- Image maps: Use the client-side map and text for hotspots.
- Multimedia: Provide captioning and transcripts of audio, and descriptions of video.
- Hypertext links: Use text that makes sense when read out of context. For example, avoid "click here."
- Page organization: Use headings, lists, and consistent structure. Use CSS for layout and style where possible.
- Graphs & charts: Summarize or use the longdesc attribute.
- Scripts, applets, & plug-ins: Provide alternative content in case active features are inaccessible or unsupported.
- Frames: Use the noframes element and meaningful titles.
- Tables: Make line-by-line reading sensible. Summarize.
- Check your work: Validate. Use tools, checklist, and guidelines at http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG
