Conceptual Design of the Website Site Architecture andNavigation

Interactivity StaticDatabase-DrivenDHTMLJavaScript

Content Determine Website needs Prioritize –Mandatory –Desirable –Optional

Web Page List Data-Driven is different Static –Title –Purpose –Content (and how developed) –Data Update Schedule –Who will update

Organizational Structures Topical –About, Contact, Products, etc. Audience Splitting –Faculty, Staff, Students Metaphors –Shopping cart

Maintenance Requirements –Software –Skill set Schedule Will site structure hold? –Breakdown of metaphor OK?

Information Architecture How Websites are structured How users navigate through the site How to plan for change and growth of the site Hierarchy with some mix is the best for this

Menu Design 7+-2: Humans can process 5-9 items at a time Chunking Minimize clicks –4 to 5 clicks deep to find information

Navigation Most important part of Website design Topical layout Path Analysis –Cookie crumb navigation Hierarchical Organization –Yahoo! Mixed navigational Schemes

Search Engine Fallacy Search Engines are useful Shouldn’t be depended on for navigation

Technical Requirements for Navigation JavaScript, Flash, DHTML –Don’t overuse –Don’t rely exclusively on these Make sure people can access from lower version browsers and Lynx (page 119) Location of navigation –Right side versus left side

Conceptual Design of the Website Page Layout

Technical Considerations Download speed –Consider audience –Graphics Plug-ins –Don’t assume –Provide links Animation –Use sparingly

Design Considerations Cluttered Design –More isn’t better Background Patterns –Watch for readability Colors –Cultural bias –Background/text conflicts –Expected colors blue/purple hyperlinks

More Design Considerations Text choices Font size Text spacing Text length

Content Content is key Identification of site and expectations –Book versus newspaper –Sponsor information –Contact information –Page title