Thursday, July 20, 2017

Website criteria (usability) checklist in 2017

I have been pondering a lot lately about my method. It's rare that we really sit down and try to map out what we know, although experience is a powerful point.
While it is part of one of my compensated choices, I've decided to reveal this checklist. A couple of disclaimers: First, I really don't claim this list is extensive or unique. Jakob Nielsen has a fantastic 113-point checklist for example, Homepage Usability, in his book. This really is my way of arranging what I feel is crucial while attempting to keep it manageable. Second, my use of phrases might vary from yours. I use "usability" in an extremely broad sense, and my use of "accessibility" isn't very industry standard. Don't like it? Write your own checklist ;) Ultimately, an advance warning this post is fairly lengthy.
Basic Overview
The list is divided into 4 roughly equal sections, (I) Accessibility, (II) Identification, (I-II) Navigation, and (IV) Content. I will describe and rationalize all of line items and the sections under, however you can download the checklist as a simple, 1-page PDF.
I try to keep it simple with 3 fundamental scores: (1) Green Check = Great/Move, (2) Red Check Always = Wants work, but no disaster, (3) Red X = Bad/Fail. Not allpoints are fundamentally applicable to all or any sites.

Font Size/Spacing Is Simple to Read

Opinions vary on the ideal size for text, but err on along side it of slightly too too large. Poor raises frustration, and frustration prospects to website abandonment. Also, make sure your line spacing is adequate - whitespace is the best friend of a designer.

Images Have Appropriate ALT Tags

Not only do sight-impaired visitors use ALT tags, but research engines require your images to be understood by them. This can be especially critical when you use images such as for instance menu items, for content that is key.

Main Navigation Is Easily Identifiable

Almost every site on the web has has already established a main menu since the first browsers arrived on the market. Make your principal navigation effortless to find, study, and use. Inform you why they are diverse, in the event you have two or more navigation places.
Landing page design

Links Are Consistent & Simple to Identify

The underlined, hyperlink that is blue is a staple of the internet. A little artistic license is ok, but consider at least making your hyperlinks possibly blue or underlined. Links should stand out, and you also should use them sparingly enough that your content is n't disrupted by them.

Number of Buttons/Links Is Reasonable

Psychologists prefer to argue about just how many pieces of information we can process, but should you commence to see through 7-or-so menu items, think hard about whether they are needed by you. Do yourself a favor, if you've got 3 levels of flyaway Javascript menus and start over.

Critical Content Is Above The Fold

The "fold" is that imaginary line where the bottom of your display cuts off a a full page. Content can drop below the fold, but something crucial to comprehending who you are or that which you do (especially on the home-page) should fit on that first display. Screen resolution that is average these days is about 1024x768, depending on your audience.

Flash & add ons Are Employed Sparingly

No matter how great your website looks, individuals will not wait 5 minutes for a plugin to load. Use new technology sparingly and only once your goals are actually enhanced by it. Sticking to regular HTML/CSS is a plus for search engines.

Company Emblem Is Prominently Placed

Put your emblem or manufacturer where it's simple to find, and that usually signifies the upper- . It is expected by people, when you make their lives effortless, and they like it.

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