Wondering where to start?
Knowing if you have an effective web site design boils down to asking yourself two simple questions:
1. Is your site accomplishing your goals?
2. Can your users accomplish their goals?
If you can answer these two questions with an emphatic yes, why are you messing with your site? If you answer with anything but an emphatic yes, consider the following:
Know your target audience(s).
What do you want to say to them and what do they want to know about you? What you want to say and what they want to know are often very different.
Clearly define what you want your Web site to accomplish for you.
If you don't know where you're going, how do you know when you've arrived?
Content is KING. It will always be KING.
Great content can make up for poor or sloppy design. Great graphics or cool functions can never make up for poor content. I highly recommend reading Jacob Neilsen's "Writing for the Web."
Navigation is constructed based upon the content.
Navigation should be descriptive, and as much as it is able, give users a clue to what they will find when they click on a link. Cutesy or cleverly labeled links confuse visitors.
The 'coolness' factor.
Graphic design and function are meant to support the content, not overshadow it. Beeps, bells and whistles can be added to enhance site appearance and function, but should only be added sparingly. Think of it this way -- would you rather have a user watching 'cool' stuff move around on your page or would you rather have them getting to the product or information they are seeking as soon as possible?
Consistency, consistency, consistency.
It is imperative that the presentation and function of a well-designed site be consistent. In so doing, you establish a level of comfort and understanding of your site for your visitors. You look at your site every day. You know where to find stuff. Most visitors have never been to your site and have no clue where to begin or how to get around. Help them.
Test, test, test.
Usability testing in the pre-launch phase is crucial. It's the only way to determine if the site is accomplishing the intended goals. Results from the usability tests will identify needed adjustments to the site before you launch -- and nine times out of 10, you will discover problems or oversights that never even occurred to you. Wouldn't it be nice to know those things before you launch?
Read your Web Stats. All the time.
Web usage statistics identify user patterns, available technology and search engine strings. And that is great information to know. But usage statistics DO NOT report the intent of the user. Yes, web stats can identify where users are going but they cannot tell you if the users were able to accomplish their goals. Only usability testing can do that for you.
Pay attention to User Feedback.
Pay attention to well-intended feedback from users. If they've taken the time to write, they've hit on something about which they feel strongly -- good, bad or otherwise. In most cases, there's usually something legitimate in the message.
Call me.
I'll be happy to talk you about all of the above, and more.
