It's easy enough to get started in doing websites. You get a text editor or a wysiwyg, maybe you learn to do images for the Web. So far so good. But the next thing you know, you run into a lot of other factors.

So, what's "visitor friendly"?

Target audience
-retired senior citizens

Choose color schemes and fonts that can be easily read. Black text on white BG is good. use an Arial, or a Verdana font to help the eyes move across the page.

-think resources
Your average grandpa is probably not using an Athalon 1.0ghz processor with 256MB ram and a 19inch monitor with 1280x1024 screen res. And he's not on DSL probably not even on a 56k

Thus the site should be designed to be viewed at 800x600 (the internet standard) or less (remember those bad eyes) I would think my grandpa likes the 640x480 because the text is bigger.

-graphics
Same thing don't think "ooh they'd really like these Flash 5 effects" think download time, think conservative.

-content
However, don't over whelm them with text also. Split the article up over a few pages. (They'll keep reading remember they were brought up reading books and newspapers).

-Make the navigation clear!
When designing a site try to make it so that every page of your site can be accessed from any other page of your site.
This has several benefits, such as (duh) easier navigatability, and another big one SE friendliness.

-Contact us
Make a link with this everywhere. It builds trust.

-Privacy statement
if you're collecting email addresses for ezines or anything else, let them know you're not going to sell them to spammers. (unless you are then let them know). Think of those overprotective grandparents. They might not sign up for anything (they know all about scams)

later

Alex

[This message has been edited by xelA (edited 01-31-2001).]

Accessibility for all--including those who are handicap to those from foreign countries. For example, use the alt tag on images for those using screen readers. For global accessibility (as an example), ensure that completing an address on a form is not just suitable for USA addresses.

Focus--let the user know what the page is about immediately.

Don't tell the user what they need to view the page with (for example, use Netscape, Flash, etc)--WalMart doesn't make you put on special clothes to go into their store)

Installing a search function if you have tons of pages.

Engineer for errors--ideally errors would be prevented, but that doesn't happen. So prepare for them, and be helpful. For example, instead of giving an error 404 message, tell the user exactly what happened, and give them a possible solution.

Make pages easy to bookmark and print--sometimes frames makes this difficult.

Make the most common tasks easy to find and complete.

Not only provide contact info, but answer those questions promptly! This past holiday season a good chunk of e-tailers screwed up in that department.

...and the list goes on.

The best way to know if the site is truly user friendly is to user test. In other words, have 5 representative users complete specific tasks, and note where they become confused, frustrated, or just plain stumble around.

Becky

[Signature removed]

[This message has been edited by xelA (edited 01-31-2001).]

Becky

[This message has been edited by bhagel (edited 01-31-2001).]

Anyone have other ideas? feel free to add your 2 cents (or maybe a dollar's worth)

Navigation - this should be clear, simple, and very easy to follow.

Text - clear, readable, no bright colours.

Colours - these must be easy on the eye, a site with a blue backgroung and yellow text won't go far!

Content - not too much, it should be clear and what your site is about, and try try to put your entire site on one page.

I hope this is of use, I'm always coming across pages, where you have to spend ten minutes reading the front page to find our what it's about.

[This message has been edited by Decker (edited 02-05-2001).]

2 examples:
1. You came to a video game related site
2. You came to a ISP site

What things should these 2 sites have incommon? How should they differ?

Brilliant! I intend to use that.

1.Develop the site so your grandmother could understand.
2.Don't try to impress the geeks or graphic designers!

Number 2 having the utmost importance.

[This message has been edited by gene (edited 02-06-2001).]

[This message has been edited by gene (edited 02-06-2001).]

By looking at your stats you can showcase the stuff that your users value most... Create content that reflects their interests.