| There are many mistakes committed by | | | | - Language that is direct to the point. |
| individuals in the field of Web design and | | | | |
| management. It is good to know, though, that | | | | 5. Using a fixed font size for CSS Style |
| there are less usability crimes committed | | | | sheets - Websites often disable the |
| against users now than before. | | | | change-font-size button on Web browsers to |
| | | | designate a fixed font size. Most of the |
| This article presents the ten worst errors in | | | | time, such a fixed font size is too small for |
| Web design. | | | | majority of readers over the age of 40. Users |
| | | | should have the option to resize text when |
| 1. Poorly designed search engines - Some | | | | needed. |
| search engines take searches too literally to | | | | |
| the point that usability is cut in half. | | | | 6. Maintaining Page Titles with low search |
| These search engines cannot manage hyphens, | | | | engine visibility - It is important to use |
| plural forms, typos and other variants of the | | | | good page titles to lure new visitors during |
| terms inputted. Such search engines not only | | | | their search while permitting current users |
| make life harder for everyone but are | | | | to find the specific pages required. |
| especially difficult to use by the elderly. | | | | |
| | | | If you are designing a homepage, start with |
| Sometimes, search engines rank results on the | | | | the company name. Then describe the site |
| basis of the amount of query terms inputted, | | | | briefly. Do not begin with words such as The |
| rather than on the relation of each document | | | | or Welcome To. Aside from the homepage, other |
| to your search. It would be an improvement if | | | | pages should have a title that begins with |
| the search engine places the articles with | | | | words that closely describe what the user |
| the closest relationship to your search at | | | | will read on that page. |
| the top of the list, particularly for | | | | |
| important searches. | | | | Taglines on homepages should also be short |
| | | | while concisely giving the purpose of the |
| The search engine is the next option for | | | | site. |
| users when navigation does not work. Simple | | | | |
| search is the most convenient method so | | | | 7. Using designs that look like |
| search should be offered as a simple box for | | | | advertisements - Users frequently ignore any |
| the benefit of users. | | | | site whose homepage appears to advertise |
| | | | something. |
| 2. The use of PDF Files - PDF files are the | | | | |
| pits to use since these break the flow during | | | | Users display the following behavior as far |
| browsing. Standard browser commands are | | | | as design is concerned: |
| useless thus rendering printing or saving | | | | |
| more difficult. The font of the layout is | | | | - Banner blindness |
| also smaller as it was made to fit into a | | | | |
| sheet of paper. | | | | - Animation avoidance |
| | | | |
| Navigation is harder with PDF files though | | | | - Ignoring pop-ups |
| PDF works well for compressing huge documents | | | | |
| into one file for printing. Thus, PDF should | | | | 8. Not being consistent with design - Users |
| be confined to this purpose while other | | | | rely on the design principles used in most |
| information that should be browsed or read | | | | websites to form expectations of what will be |
| on-screen must be converted into real web | | | | found on yours. Disappointing your users |
| pages. | | | | makes them feel insecure - which is bad. It |
| | | | makes the site that much harder to use and |
| 3. Maintaining the color of visited links to | | | | users will eventually leave. |
| just one - When users cannot tell the | | | | |
| difference between a visited link and a link | | | | 9. Opening new browser windows - This is |
| which has yet to be tapped due to no color | | | | discouraged as it confuses users and |
| changes, it makes the experience of | | | | undermines their understanding of how their |
| navigation that much more difficult. | | | | system works. |
| | | | |
| Links that do not change color cause users to | | | | 10. Failing to answer the question of the |
| return to the same links over and over again, | | | | user - The worst crime a website can commit |
| which is disorienting - not to mention | | | | is to fail to supply the information a user |
| irritating. | | | | was looking for. Users only visit sites |
| | | | because they are goal-driven and want to |
| 4. Text that is difficult to scan - A block | | | | accomplish something. When you use too much |
| of text found online is difficult to read. To | | | | language to market to the user, the same |
| improve scannability, it is important touse | | | | thing happens - the user loses interest and |
| the following: | | | | leaves. |
| | | | |
| - Subheads | | | | You may find from the MyDLstore useful |
| | | | website scripts which can help you to design |
| - Bulleted lists | | | | and enrich your website. provides instant |
| | | | download of digital products such as |
| - Highlighted keywords | | | | scripts, software, template, clip arts, logo, |
| | | | term papers, ebooks, etc. |
| - Short paragraphs | | | | |
| | | | This article may be used on the web as long |
| - The inverted pyramid | | | | as it is presented unchanged and in its |
| | | | entirety along with this entire resource box. |
| - A simple writing style | | | | For other uses, please contact the author. |
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