Below are a few web design tips I learned from Web Style Guide: Interface Design Section

1. When designing web “spaces”, it is important to consider the top 5 elements people look for when navigating environments: Wayfinding

  • Paths: Create consistent, well-marked navigation paths
  • Regions: Create a unique but related identity for each site region
  • Nodes: Don’t confuse the user with too many choices on home and major menu pages
  • Landmarks: Use consistent landmarks in site navigation and graphics to keep the user oriented

2. It is important to include a search function while also allowing users the option to browse through menu links. It is likely that those that visit your site will have to use both functions.

3. Because some viewers may only see  freestanding, single pages of an entire site, it is necessary to include the basic elements of who, what, when, and where:

  • Who – “Whether the page originates from an individual author or an institution, always tell the reader who created it and what institution you are associated with.”
  • What – “The page title and major headings are also crucial for search engine visibility. The page title element is the most important determinant of keyword relevance for search engines, so craft your titles carefully if you want users to find your content.”
  • When – “Date every web page, and change the date whenever the document is updated. This is especially important in long or complex online documents that are updated regularly but may not look different enough to signal a change in content to occasional readers.”
  • Where – “Always tell the user where you are from, with (if relevant) your corporate or institutional affiliations. Also, incorporating the “home” url within the page footer is an easy way to maintain the connection to where a page originated.”