4 Great Articles on Web Pages
These articles all deal with making your web page the best it can be. I found them totally worth the read and very helpful in thinking about aspects of your web design you might over-look when it comes to the big picture of creating it.
The first Blasting the Myth of Above the Fold by Milissa Tranquni (https://angel.aacc.edu/section/default.asp?id=CAT2748402009SP), deals with the fold line of a web page. The Fold comes from the concept of a newspaper layout. It’s the line beyond which a user has to scroll to see the rest of the page (aka “scroll-line”). There’s a myth that exists that says most people don’t read or scroll-on past this “line”. Some argue this and say they do if your content is interesting and worth the while.
Basically it comes down to a few rules when making you page, to ensure the users do go on to read the whole thing:
- Branding should always be above the fold,
- Navigation, functionality widgets -above fold,
- Prime content should be stimulating, compelling and above fold (ie: user should be able to “get” what your site is about based on what’s above the line.)
Make text blocks and images appear “broken” at fold to encourage scrolling.
Tips:
- Design should guide the user to bottom
-Design should be set up for most of your users browser (go to foldspy.com to measure your most common visitors)
-Add something interactive at the bottom of the page. Like a fun lasting reminder so they’ll leave w/ positive opinions and be more inclined to come back.
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The second article for you to check out: Search Engine Placemen Tips by Danny Sullivan, talks about your goal to be in the Top 10 for search engine matches and how to get there. (https://angel.aacc.edu/section/default.asp?id=CAT2748402009SP)
Picking your “target” keywords is key. He goes into how to place them w/in your site and what to make sure to include as well as what to leave out. This article is very importing in making sure you get traffic to your site, thus up-ing your ranking!
One thing he talks about that I found fascinating was “linkbaiting” (the idea of using a variety of techniques to attract links, content, tools… from other, good websites) I highly recommend reading this article.
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The third article to puruse is 5 Principles to Design By, by Jashua Porter. (http://bokardo.com/archives/five-principles-to-design-by/) Another amazing article you must read to ensure the bestest of the best in your web site!
I’ll give you the run down…
- Technology serves humans. Humans don’t serve technology.
- Design is Not Art: I disagree with this point though.He says that art= personal expression, emotion and life while Design= contextual, about use. I think design IS ART. “High” art with an additional purpose beyond beauty and expression. Basically, art with a purpose.
*Great design is dependant on the time/age it’s made and the prob. it’s meant to solve, he notes. Think why you’d notice “that works well!” in designs you come across. - Expression belongs to the user. You the designr are at the service of the user, creating the “artifacts” of experience.
- Great designs are invisible. People remember the bad stuff b/c it’s “painful”. Good ones are smooth, easy.
- Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Knowing what to keep and what to toss.
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Finally, you must take a peak at SEOmoz’s blog: 8 Web Design Tactics to Help You When You’re Stuck (http://www.seomoz.org/blog/web-design-tactics)
This article is about being fresh with what you create. Moving away from the old, redundant and tired designs your stuck in. Gaining inspiration else where in unlikely places such as newspapers, magazines, grocery products and tv. I found this article to be the most important for me to read b/c I am always racking my brain to avoid exhausted ideas. To break out of the box.
He tells you to design from the inside out. Which is something that I learned this week with my banner assignment. I designed the artsy design first, ignoring the purpose (to advertise the school by showcasing the logo) which left me frustrated and my goal not possible. I also learned how to “let go” of a loved design. File it away for another time so I could move on with my work and create something new that worked.
**Highly recommend read for web designers
