Golden Rules of Web Usability

• Don't confuse your visitors with a navigational structure that is difficult to understand. Navigation should be a subconscious activity.  If you have to think about it, it's ineffective.
  
  
• The most important question your site's navigation must answer is "Where am I".
  
  
• Make sure your home page clearly defines your site's purpose and theme.  Visitors want to know immediately (with as little thinking as possible) if they are at the right site.
  
  
• Don't use "Under Construction" signs for sections of your site. If a particular page isn't done, don't even have a link to it. Your site will always be under construction in some way, shape or form; or it's getting very stale quickly.
  
  
• Make sure every page has a prominently displayed "Contact Us" or email link.  If a visitor wants to contact you, they shouldn't have to work for it.
  
  
• Do not make your visitors wonder if they are still in your site after clicking on a link. For the sake of clarity and identification, always put your logo on every page of your site.
  
  
• Try to avoid using frames (if at all possible).  They present viewing problems, especially when your frames site links to another frames site.
  
  
• If you must use frames, all hypertext links should have a Target="_Top" attribute in their anchor tag.  This makes the browser clear out the current frameset and load a completely new one.
  
  
• Do not imbed a link to another site in your site's navigation links. Always clearly identify those links that will take your visitors to another site. Visitors want to be in control of where they're going next.
  
  
• Periodically check all your links to make sure none are broken, especially those to external sites.
  
  
• Do not overload your site with those "blinking" affiliate and banner ads.  They distract from your theme and are an aesthetic nuisance.
  
  
• Do not set up a link to automatically start a software download without clearly indicating that by clicking on this link, it will start a download. Your visitors want to be able to decide for themselves what ends up on their hard drive.
  
  
• Use tables.  When it comes to consistency in design, they are the best thing since sliced bread.  (and very easy to use)
  
  
• Don't use a background color that is similar to your text color.  Even though it may look good to you, it will annoy your visitors.
  
  
• Never, ever, show table borders.  There are a few exceptions to this rule, but unless your displaying statistical information where column and row orientation is critical, don't do it.
  
  
• Make sure your navigation scheme is consistent across your entire site.
  
  
• Content should be at least 70% of a page.  Everything else (navigation, ads) should be no more than 30%.
  
  
• Always cross-platform test your web pages in as many browsers as possible.  HTML behaves differently with different browsers.
  
  
• Pages should download in no more than 30 seconds. (50Kb maximum)
  
  
• Always use ALT tags on your graphics.  
  
  
• Always include width and height attributes on your graphics.  This will allow browsers to pre-allocate the appropriate amount of space for each graphic on your page without having to load the graphic.  
  
  
• As much as possible, avoid using the words "click here" for a link.  Links should always be descriptive text.
  
  
• Use link titles to further explain the contents of a link.
  
  
• If at all possible, do not change default link colors. Blue is for unvisited links; purple is for visited links.
  
  
• Long documents should include printable versions. Many viewers still prefer to read from paper instead of from their monitor.
  
  
• Simplicity should be the goal of all page design. On the web, the KISS (keep it simple stupid) approach is the best approach.
  
  
• When writing for the web, write in a format that encourages scan ability. Use short paragraphs and bulleted text and lots of sub-headings.
  
  
• Use meaningful page titles to summarize page content.  Keep titles under 75 characters.  These are the descriptions that will be used to bookmark your pages.
  
  
• Use high contrasting colors between the text and backgrounds.  This will improve readability and increase usability.  It's incredible how many web designers break this rule.
  
  
• When writing narratives, text should always be left justified.  This improves readability and therefore, increases usability.
  
  
• When writing narratives, avoid using all caps.  Your visitors find it easiest to read text that is in the standard upper and lower case format.
  
  
• Home pages should answer the question "What is this site all about?".
  
  
• Do not force visitors to enter your site on the home page.  The web allows for entry to your site on any page.  Use this to your advantage.