Designing
Web
Usability
Written
by
the best-known guru
of usability.
Secrets
of
Successful
Web Sites
Siegel gives
a perfect blueprint of ways to
plan,
develop and design websites
that work.
Creating
Killer
Web Sites
Another
enlightening book by
Siegel, which (in my opinion) counts as the "creme de la creme" of
website development books.
Don't Make
Me Think
If you read
this book
along with Nielsen's books,
and follow their advice,
visitors will
love visiting your
websites.
Volume
I, Issue 2
July 2003
Chris
King, Editor
By
subscription only, this monthly e-newsletter will be loaded with short, "down
and dirty" tips
to help you with solving the everchanging and growing puzzle of
the Internet. This e-zine will also serve as a place to ask your questions
and find the answers.
1. Whether you are designing your own site or gathering information for a designer/developer it is a good idea to set up a special folder for your website and within that folder have folders labeled "working files" (for the content and any images and graphics that you are creating), "images" (where you will place the finished graphics and images), and other special folders (for "pdf files" – "databases" – "library" and other large sections). I find that if I keep everything well organized, adding, expanding and moving the site (hopefully, never necessary) becomes much easier.
2. Pick an authoring program. If you are designing your own site, you may use HTML (straightforward coding that is easy to learn, but has design limitations) or you may decide to use a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) program. Examples are:
-
Microsoft’s Front Page - easy to learn if you are already familiar with Microsoft’s Office and has some nice features. Just don’t fall into the trap of using their templates (my opinion is that they are all over the Internet and yell "amateur")
-
Adobe’s GoLive – I haven’t personally used this program, but would suggest it if you are already using other Adobe programs. The newest version has some powerful and useful features.
-
Macromedia’s Dreamweaver MX – my authoring program of choice (along with the entire MX Studio). Yes, it is not cheap, and also has so many capabilities it takes time to learn. But, if you work through the tutorials, you will be able to get a basic, well-designed website up without trouble. You can always learn the bells and whistles in time (as we progress with future e-zines, I will be addressing them).
3. Gather and create content. Again, whoever is doing the designing needs worthwhile content (yes, the two major considerations for the success of a website are usability and content).
-
Copy – should be clear, concise, worthwhile reading and not loaded with hype. Yes, I know that you will find people on the Internet who tell you they are making millions and their sales pitches go on and on. I hope when you were planning, your goal wasn’t to make "millions." Well written articles are tops with the majority of people you and I want to attract and can always be incorporated into special reports and/or e-books in the future.
-
Graphics – banners, buttons, clip art and/or photographs should be chosen for your target audience and with download time in mind. Large, high-resolution photographs will slow the download time, and if your target visitors don’t have high speed connections, they won’t wait.
-
Suggested graphics programs (what I use) are Macromedia Fireworks MX and Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8. Both are excellent and have a huge number of capabilities. If you are using Dreamweaver MX, it works hand-in-hand with Fireworks.
In the next issue, we will delve more deeply into the technical considerations as we continue to plan and execute your website.
Send your comments and questions to chris@creativekeys.biz. We will answer them in future e-zines.
If you would like to subscribe to this e-zine and receive five free Internet tips, send an e-mail to subscribe@creativekeys.biz with subscribe in the subject line. If you ever wish to be removed from the mailing list, just send an e-mail to unsubscribe@creativekeys.biz with unsubscribe in the subject line.
Chris King
P.O. Box 221255
Beachwood, Ohio 44122
(216) 991-8428
http://www.creativekeys.biz
