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| X.3.
How to improve websites |
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You will see on this page information on:
The guidelines for improving web-sites can be grouped under 3 main headings:
A. Try to limit the technical drawbacks of the web:
- use a short and intelligible URL
- don't exceed 50K in the file size of a page
- don't use HTML tags, plug-ins or video resolutions that cannot be
seen by all the browsers
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B. Hypertext can transform your site into a maze.
Try to give your site a simple and intuitive structure:
- limit number of links in the home page structure the home page according
to the main information needs of the typical user
- structure the site in a restricted number of levels
- include in the home page a very visible link to the site-map
- include links to the home page and to the site-map in every page of
the site
- include in each page the name of the site (the page could also be
accessed without passing through the home page)
- limit the links included in a text (too many links make reading difficult)
- avoid broken links (in both your site and in sites to which you link)
- when you link other sites, state clearly the name of the site and,
if necessary, link not only the home page, but also the page with the
relevant information which you wish to pinpoint
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C. Reading from a screen is more tiring than from
paper. Try to reduce this drawback:
- in pages that have to be read, limit contrast of colours and use of
bright colours and avoid animations and moving text
- avoid arranging the text over the whole width of the screen, on paper
the eyes are used to reading narrow columns
- when using long text, put a summary at the beginning and a 'top button'
at the end
- divide long texts into smaller sections in long text,
- use more easily readable serif fonts like Times New Roman
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