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 7
ISSN:
1547-7754
December 2003
printable version
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.
We take it for granted that visual images will enhance our website. There are many factors that will make this statement untrue. Yes, many of the people who visit your website will be visually oriented and will react positively to your graphics – that is, if they are used properly. This month I will investigate some of the nitty gritty about using graphics, some lessons I have learned the hard way and other topics and opinions (and, I will warn you, I have strong opinions).
TIP #1. Choose your graphics carefully. Always keep in mind your site’s purpose and the reaction of visitors.
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Avoid animated GIFs and flashy banners. In my opinion, one animation is one too many. There was a time when we were testing the waters and everyone loved animation – it was everywhere. One of my web gurus likened it to staying in a motel with a blinking neon sign right outside your window. It doesn’t take long before it becomes annoying.
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Some images – common, free clip art and globes – have been used so many times that we get sick of seeing them. I do use clip art on my information pages (not on serious business pages, though), because I have fun with it and picking it out, but I don’t use the free stuff. I have a yearly subscription to www.clipart.com which not only provides a huge index of clipart, but also photographs and fonts.
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Should you include your photograph? Some developers say “no.” My feeling is that if you are a service business where clients will be working with you personally, include your photo. I know that I trust someone more if I can see them (other opinion). But, by all means, have it taken by a professional. And don’t include a photo taken 25 years ago. You don’t want your client shocked when they meet you.
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If you use your photo, keep its size within reason. You don’t want it so big that it is overwhelming or takes forever to download. And, if you don’t use your photo, don’t use a stock photo of someone else that gives the impression that it may be you.
TIP #2. Be sure to use the ALT parameter. The ALT parameter is the descriptive text that should be included with the <img> tag. The reasons are that often visitors have set their browsers to not display graphics, if a link is broken the visitor will only see a box with a red x, and those who are visually impaired will have no idea what is being included on the page (they now have programs that read the text to them as they surf, so will hear the description in the ALT tags). Also the browsers of today show a box with the ALT text when one rolls their mouse over the image. This is a big help if you rely upon buttons for your navigation.
TIP #3. Don’t rely upon graphics for presenting your content. Many graphic designers who have come to the Internet from print work have been disappointed by the lack of having the usual variety of fonts they have enjoyed in the past. To circumvent this scarcity, they develop graphics using fonts of their choice to broadcast their message. The problem is that search engines judge a site and pages by the words that appear. They do not read the words on a graphic (and even if they are in the ALT tags), so you will miss out on placement. My suggestion is to use the fonts available.
TIP #4. Final words about photographs. I prefer to take my own. If that is impossible, ask for original prints to scan or high resolution digital images. After enhancing with the graphics program of your choice (see issue 6), use that program to do as much compressing of file size as possible without losing all of the detail. Most users today are in too much of a hurry to wait for lengthy downloads.
TIP #5. Make sure that the graphic images that you use for navigation are self-explanatory. I have visited many sites with clever icons that are actually links to other pages, but are confusing enough that one has no idea where he or she is going. Just remember that the easier the navigation, the longer your visitor will stay on your site and the longer the better!
Graphics are fun and definitely enhance your site. Just make sure that you or your designer/developer uses them with thought and care!
Remember, send your comments and questions to me at chris@creativekeys.biz. I love to receive feedback and will answer your questions 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
