 Here is a simple check list we're produced for Web site usebility:
COMMUNICATING THE SITE PURPOSE
Ø Show company name & logo in reasonable size and location
Ø Include tag line that explicitly summaries what the site or company does
Ø Emphasize what you site does that's valuable from the users point of view (& how you differ from competitors)
Ø Emphasize the highest priority tasks so that user have a clear starting point
Ø Clearly designate one page as HOME PAGE
Ø Do use work 'website' to refer to anything but totality of site
Ø Design home page to be clearly different from other pages
Ø Group corporate information in one area
Ø ABOUT US / CONTACT US
Ø If you have feedback specify purpose and whom will receive or action
Ø Don't include INTRANET information
Ø Include Privacy Policy & P3P standard
CONTENT WRITING
Ø Use customer focused language for LABEL sections
Ø Avoid redundant content and clever marketing lingo
Ø Use consistent capitalization and other style standards
REVEALING THROUGH EXAMPLES
Ø All about displaying content examples with click to more details or larger pics. etc.
Ø Then with links off the other relevant information
LINKS
Ø Differentiate links and make them scan-able (begin with information carrying word)
Ø Allow link colors to show visited and unvisited (personal choice item)
Ø make sure link says what will happen if launching other elements other than page, e.g. flash or pdf, or mpg
NAVIGATION
Ø Make easy: primary navigation in highly noticeable area
Ø group items so similar are next to each other
Ø Use ICONS in navigation only if they help recognize a class of items immediately
SEARCH
Ø Input box on home page for queries (wide enough & don't label use search button on right)
Ø Add link to advance IF required
GRAPHIC AND ANIMATIONS
Ø Animation on the homepage can distract from the other elements (be carefull)
Ø Use graphics for applicable content, label if meaning not clear
Ø edit diagrams and photos appropriately for display size
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Ø limit font styles and text formatting
Ø use high contrast text and background to make text legible
Ø avoid horizontal scrolling at 800x600
Ø use liquid layout so homepage size adjust to different screen sizes
ATTENTION TO OTHER AREAS – SIMPLICITY IS THE KEY
Ø UI widgets
Ø Window titles
Ø URLs
OTHERS
Ø Avoid pop up windows
Ø label ads if not recognized
Ø communicate technical problems on errors
Ø maintain continuity for page reload and refresh
Ø customization - if needed for individual users
Ø explain why you gather customer data - for instance if gathering email addresses
Ø show generic link to community features such as chat or discussion
Ø no guest books for business sites
Ø show date & times for time sensitive information (dd-MMM-yy) [local or time zone]
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