Do's & Dont's
Do:
o Use ALT tags for all graphics, especially navigation graphics.
o Use black text on white background whenever possible for optimal legibility.
o Use either plain-color backgrounds or extremely subtle background patterns.
o Make sure text is in a printable color (not white).
o Place navigation in a consistent location on each page of your website.
o Use a familiar location for navigation bars.
o Keep the design from scrolling horizontally.
o Use one axis of symmetry for centred text on a page.
o Encourage scrolling by splitting an image at the fold.
• Don't:
o Allow ALT tags to get clipped (especially an issue for small, fixed width images).
o Display static text in blue or underlined.
o Use boldface or ALL CAPS for long pieces of text. These slow down reading.
o Leave too much white space--reduces scannability.
o Make the user scroll to find critical information, especially transaction buttons and navigation links.
o Use horizontal rules to separate chunks of content.
o Alternate too frequently between centred text and left-aligned text. Most text should be left-aligned.
o Fix pages at larger than 800 x 600 pixels. Larger pages may force users to scroll horizontally.
o Use ALT tags for all graphics, especially navigation graphics.
o Use black text on white background whenever possible for optimal legibility.
o Use either plain-color backgrounds or extremely subtle background patterns.
o Make sure text is in a printable color (not white).
o Place navigation in a consistent location on each page of your website.
o Use a familiar location for navigation bars.
o Keep the design from scrolling horizontally.
o Use one axis of symmetry for centred text on a page.
o Encourage scrolling by splitting an image at the fold.
• Don't:
o Allow ALT tags to get clipped (especially an issue for small, fixed width images).
o Display static text in blue or underlined.
o Use boldface or ALL CAPS for long pieces of text. These slow down reading.
o Leave too much white space--reduces scannability.
o Make the user scroll to find critical information, especially transaction buttons and navigation links.
o Use horizontal rules to separate chunks of content.
o Alternate too frequently between centred text and left-aligned text. Most text should be left-aligned.
o Fix pages at larger than 800 x 600 pixels. Larger pages may force users to scroll horizontally.