Quick Web Usability Tips Collection
Many people ask, where do I start applying usability to my site? Getting started can be the hardest part, so don't be afraid to just dive in and start! Many currently existing problems can be found by doing an overall usability evaluation of your current web site; these problems can have simple, easy to understand fixes. Subtle changes you make today can have a big impact tomorrow.
Splash Pages and Usability
Splash Pages are often used to convey a brand or present a skill. Here you can learn more about these as we analyze the pros and cons associated with these types of sites.
Splash Pages are often used to convey a brand or present a skill. Here you can learn more about these as we analyze the pros and cons associated with these types of sites.
Link Your Logo to the Homepage
Your logo can double as a handy shortcut back to the homepage by providing a consistent link back to the homepage. In fact, most web sites already follow this convention. Does yours?
Your logo can double as a handy shortcut back to the homepage by providing a consistent link back to the homepage. In fact, most web sites already follow this convention. Does yours?
Use Consistent, Accurate Titles
Are the your page titles consistent? Do they accurately describe the content of the page? Because users of the web tend to scan pages, a good heading can let them know they’ve found the right page.
Are the your page titles consistent? Do they accurately describe the content of the page? Because users of the web tend to scan pages, a good heading can let them know they’ve found the right page.
Use Descriptive Titles with Well-Chosen Keywords
The page title is the key to quick orientation, so users immediately know if they’re on the page they want to be on. A clear title also helps users who’ve arrived to your site from a search and don’t know where they are in relation to the rest of the site.
The page title is the key to quick orientation, so users immediately know if they’re on the page they want to be on. A clear title also helps users who’ve arrived to your site from a search and don’t know where they are in relation to the rest of the site.
Ban “Click Here”
Using descriptive link text is an integral part of writing for the web. Non-descriptive link text like “click here” makes no sense when taken out of context.
Using descriptive link text is an integral part of writing for the web. Non-descriptive link text like “click here” makes no sense when taken out of context.
Use Consistent Navigation
By using consistent, persistent navigation on your site, users will always know that they are on your web site, rather than on someone else’s web site. They will also be able to rely on the navigation bar to explore your site.
By using consistent, persistent navigation on your site, users will always know that they are on your web site, rather than on someone else’s web site. They will also be able to rely on the navigation bar to explore your site.
Proofread
Even the most seasoned writer makes the occasional grammatical or spelling error. A lack of errors helps to increase trustworthiness, while a lot of spelling mistakes means you can look like an amateur, so be sure to double check and proofread your copy!
Even the most seasoned writer makes the occasional grammatical or spelling error. A lack of errors helps to increase trustworthiness, while a lot of spelling mistakes means you can look like an amateur, so be sure to double check and proofread your copy!
Improve Readability
People will quickly leave sites that they can’t read or understand. Now is not the time to show off your five-thousand strong font collection, or your huge color palette.
People will quickly leave sites that they can’t read or understand. Now is not the time to show off your five-thousand strong font collection, or your huge color palette.
Less is More
Just because you can use emphasis doesn’t mean you should use emphasis.
Just because you can use emphasis doesn’t mean you should use emphasis.
Take a Step Back
Users can’t and won’t read every single word on your carefully constructed web page. A clear visual hierarchy can help facilitate skimming.
Users can’t and won’t read every single word on your carefully constructed web page. A clear visual hierarchy can help facilitate skimming.
Use Your Head
Every list is just a set of rough guidelines to help you start thinking about usability and begin fixing small problems on your web site. It’s your job to figure out what conventions to follow, when to follow them, and why you should follow or ignore the guidelines.
Every list is just a set of rough guidelines to help you start thinking about usability and begin fixing small problems on your web site. It’s your job to figure out what conventions to follow, when to follow them, and why you should follow or ignore the guidelines.