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10 Tips for Creating a User-Friendly Website
Content that’s not written for the web makes website usability guru Jakob Nielsen’s Top 10 Ten Mistakes in Web Design list year after year. Writing "for the web" means making content short, scannable, and to the point. Here’s a list of tips for making your website user-friendly:
1. More isn’t necessarily better when it comes to home page design. Use a clean design with an unambiguous navigation system. If the home page is too busy, the visitor will quickly get frustrated and leave the site.
2. You have only 10 or 15 seconds to capture the visitor’s attention and keep it on the page. If you are promoting a new service or product, use attention grabbing text and graphics.
3. Give visitors a reason to return to the site. Consider recognizing repeat visitors and giving them benefits for coming back.
4. Make it easy for visitors to find answers to questions by providing a “frequently asked questions” section or a drop down list of topics of interest.
5. Divide the information on your page into short, easy to read sections. Visitors to your site won’t read every word on the page. Instead, they will scan the page for items of interest and only read the sections that interest them.
6. Use language that is appropriate for the reader. Use a personable and friendly writing style.
7. Use longer link names or link titles to orient users better. Link titles, or “tool tips” provide the users with a preview of where each link will take them.
8. Use bullet points to emphasize items. Keep the number of bullets to 7 or less, however. More than 7 will make the reader’s eyes glaze over.
9. Place your name and logo and telephone number on every page, not just the home page.
10. Don’t use bloated graphics on the home page.
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