Lately, I've been getting back to the designing groove. This time around, I decided to think about what I've personally looked for and enjoyed in all the websites I've been to over the years. Here's a list of tips for a good website I came up (feel free to add anything you think I've missed):
- Does it load -fast-?: Users demand instant gratification. Period. This is my biggest pet peeve and why I must always be on broadband. I absolutely cannot tolerate a slow loading site. If a site fails to load during the expected timeframe, I immediately click the "Back" or "X" button. It's a second nature reaction now.
- Is it intuitive?: Does the page layout make sense? Users are most stubborn to adopt a radically new and different way of doing something they are used to. Keep the navigation menu in a visible location with common names (e.g. "About Us" or "Contact"). (By the way, I do think the new AIM 6.0 is somewhat of a big product leap from the previous versions -- for non-tech-savvy users anyway.)
- Keep it simple.: This is one of the key reasons people love Google. Especially when targeting the general public, don't have content move in fancy directions with Flash or have the navigation be a small dot you expect the user to -know- to click on. Don't expect anything from the user. Pretend you are designing the site, so your grandmother can use it.
- Keep it clean.: Don't overload the site with flashing icons that move across the page or have the page be cluttered in text and images. Create space. This makes it easier on our eyes.
- Make it easy.: Make the site accessible and easy to use for the user. For instance, if your main navigation is on the top of the page, make a duplicate navigation on the bottom, so users avoid scrolling back up to the top to access a different page. Add search functionality and/or a site map.
- Focus on your target audience.: Design with purpose. The look and feel of the site should be catered towards the target audience you are reaching. For instance, WSJ and MTV are completely different sites serving different audiences.
- Pretty it up.: A website should be visually stimulating. Yes, some websites, particularly blogs, are more focused on text, since readers visit for the words. In either case, like the cover of a book, presentation is key.
- Keep it hot.: You got to keep your audience members wanting more and coming back to the site. Update the content, and keep it fresh.
- Listen to your users.: They are the #1 source for feedback on where your site needs improvement. Listen to their comments. Then, redesign and reiterate.
With this, I'd appreciate feedback and constructive criticism on my own portfolio and this blog. =) Thanks in advance!
technorati tags: webdesign tips, good website