Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines

• Set and State Goals
• Set Performance and/or Preference Goals
• Share Independent Design Ideas
• Create and Evaluate Prototypes

• Establish Level of Importance
• Reduce Users' Workload
• Be Consistent
• Provide Feedback to Users
• Include Logos
• Limit Maximum Page Size
• Limit Use of Frames

• Establish Level of Importance
• Provide Useful Content
• Put Important Information at Top of Hierarchy
• Use Short Sentence/Paragraph Lengths
• Provide Printing Options

• Provide Page Titles
• Use Well-Designed Headings

• Determine Page Length
• Determine Scrolling vs. Paging Needs

• Align Page Elements
• Establish Level of Importance
• Be Consistent
• Reduce Unused Space
• Put Important Information at Top of Page
• Format for Efficient Viewing

• Use Readable Font Sizes
• Use Familiar Fonts

• Use Reading Performance or User Preference
• Enhance Scanning
• Determine Scrolling vs. Paging Needs

• Position Important Links Higher
• Show Links Clearly
• Indicate Internal vs. External Links
• Use Descriptive Link Labels
• Use Text Links
• Avoid Mouseovers
• Repeat Text Links
• Present Tabs Effectively
• Show Used Links

• Use Graphics Wisely
• Avoid Using Graphics As Links
• Avoid Graphics On Search Pages

• Consider Importance of Search Engine
• Indicate Search Scope
• Enhance Scanning

• Keep Navigation Aids Consistent
• Use Text-Based Navigation Aids
• Group Navigation Elements
• Place Navigation On Right

• Determine Connection Speed
• Reduce Download Time
• Consider Monitor Size
• Consider Users' Screen Resolution
•Design for Full or Partial Screen Viewing

• Use Color Wisely
• Design for Device Independence
• Provide Alternative Formats
• Provide Redundant Text Links
• Provide User-Controlled Content

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