Guidelines_in_Web_site design

Good Web Site Design Facilitates
Effective Distance Communication

Copyright © 2001
Diane Howard, Ph.D.

An excellent Web site provides focused content, which serves the needs of visitors.

(1) It has a clear focus and purpose.

(2) It is has been developed for specific audiences.

(3) Information and ideas on it support the overall purpose

(4) It provides primary sources, which are new and not readily available to intended
audiences.

(5) These sources are clearly cited to communicate credibility, authority, and copyright
ownership.

(6) Effective Web pages include relevant information, engaging graphics, and useful links.

(7) Content on good Web pages is accurate, complete, and up-to-date.

(8) Web authors give evidence of their knowledge, experience, or expertise on their Web
pages.

           (9) They provide daily tips to keep visitors coming to the Web site and to communicate that
                 they are on the current, cutting-edge in their work.
                 (Cyber-Fair, 2001)

         (10) Effective Web sites are dynamic and on the cutting-edge.

          (11) Current resources, amusing anecdotes, and/or tips invite regular site visitors.

          (12) Dynamic Web sites provide visitors with means to interact, at least via e-mail contacts.

          (13) Engaging Web sites have humanizing elements.

          (14) Inviting Web sites serve and encourage a social following.

(15) Effective Web sites provide easy-to-find information. (They are not overwhelmingly cluttered.)

The Home page of an effective Web site is attractive and inviting.

(1) It clarifies the purpose and content of the Web site.

(2) It is not too busy.

(3) It is easy to read and navigate.
(Cyber-Fair, 2001)

It is easy to navigate through a Web site, which is well designed.

(1) Information on each page supports the purpose of the Web site.

(2) The use of links, menus clarifies how to continue to explore an idea.

(3) Visitors know how to get back to the home & primary pages.

(4) Links to other Web sites contribute further, appropriate resources.

(5) The links fit into the overall structure and context of the Web site.
(Cyber-Fair, 2001)

Excellent Web pages are well written and well organized.

(1) Effective Web pages have well written introductions, transitions, bodies, and
conclusions.

(2) On an effective Web site order, structure, and presentation of information are logical and
easy to follow.

(3) Effective Web pages hold the audience's attention because they are interesting to read.

(4) Writing is simple, clear, direct, and active.

(5) Paragraphs are well structured.

(6) There is a logical flow from one paragraph to paragraph and page to page.
(Cyber-Fair, 2001)

(7) Proper grammar and word-usage are used.

(8) Punctuation is appropriate and guides the reader through the text.

(9) Spelling is correct

An excellent Web site has a pleasing and engaging appearance with a clear presentation of material.

(1) The overall appearance and layout of pages enhance understanding of the content.

(2) There is an aesthetic and comfortable balance of easy-to-read titles, text, colors and
graphics.

(3) Graphics enhance without cluttering and confusing.

(4) Page layouts are clear, easy to follow, and display a consistent design theme.

(5) Headers and fonts contribute to the overall understanding and flow of information.

(6) Headers and fonts help to move the eye from main topics to supporting details.

(7) Colors, backgrounds, and text work together to create aesthetic but easy-to-read pages.

          (8) Icons, buttons and graphics contribute to the appearance and flow of information.
                (Cyber-Fair, 2001)

          (9) If headshots are used, they should be professional.

(a) Headshots should convey energy and vitality.

(b) They should reveal the uniqueness of the person.

(c) They should be properly lit without shadows hiding features.

(d) Reflecting more than physical attributes, it should reveal the inner life.

(e) Don't smile at the camera for a headshot. Include the camera.
(Charles, J., 1998).

An excellent Web site uses a variety of information tools and technologies, which are user friendly.

(1) Multimedia resources (sound, video, images, icons, graphics) contribute to the main purpose.

(2) The site works quickly and efficiently.

(3) Graphics load quickly, even with limited bandwidth (slow modem speeds).

(4) Pages look good in text-only mode, when users have turned off graphics loading
into their browser.

(5) Pages look good in a variety of Web browsers.

(6) If there are features, which demand higher bandwidth or sophisticated
end-user resources, an alternate low-bandwidth or text-only mode is provided.

(7) Links to other pages and to internal resources all work.

          (8) Multimedia resources, such as movies and sound, work properly on a variety of
                browsers.
                (Cyber-Fair, 2001)

Anecdote-

One of the most amazing recent commercial success stories concerns the auction Web site, ebay. Out of the recent crash of countless numbers of dot.com companies, ebay.com survived. It continues to expand and prosper. eBay was designed as auctionweb.com in 1995 by computer programmer Pierre Omidyar. It was produced with three workers, as a modest Web site to facilitate auctions of computer parts and collectibles by connecting buyers with sellers. The company now has millions of users, who buy and sell billions in merchandise. eBay.com has an enthusiastically loyal following of clients, many whom have built entire businesses on the Web site. Experiencing a kind of social life with each other, as well, some meet in virtual space in eBay's chat rooms, giving advice to other users. Some meet at visceral eBay gatherings. eBay.com makes money for itself, while making it for others. This company used Internet technologies to enable small business merchants to enjoy a social life with each other, while empowering them to efficiently and cost-effectively reach a mass market.
(News Hour with Jim Lehrer , 2002)

Charles, J., Bloom, T. (1998). The Actor's Picture/Resume Book. Theatre Directories:Dorset.

Cyber-Fair Peer Evaluation Rubric. [Online] Available http://gsh.lightspan.com/cf/rubric/evalrubric.stm#http://gsh.lightspan.com/cf/rubric/eval , 2001.

News Hour with Jim Lehrer (2002). Transcript, Spencer Michael's Interview. Bidding for success. [Online]
Available http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/economy/july-dec02/ebay_8-15.html.

New Text Available-

Enhanced by Technology, Not Diminished:
A Practical Guide to Effective, Distance Communication

Contact Dr. Howard
dhoward@vvm.com
On-site and/or Distance
Communication Consultation