Designing Content
GUI for You and I - Part I: Content
Finding what you are looking for right away results in great web surfing. The common user browses through information and navigatesthrough it in a non-linear fashion until they reach their pot of gold.
The graphic user interface (GUI) of any website you may visit will have had a lot of time put into thinking about HOW to get the user to find the content they need in as little number of clicks as possible (2 - 3 clicks maximum). The best way to achieve this is to use internal links whenever possible! This means text linking or hyperlinking any keyword references (in an opening paragraph) to content within your site. Use both relative and absolute links, as well as anchors to specific paragraphs on a page. This might sound easy to remember, but many web designers overlook this simple solution when inserting content into their site. Remember, from ANY page in your site, ALWAYS link back to the Home!
GUI for You and I - Part II: Graphics
As mentioned in Part I: Content, tying together content is key in creating a good GUI, but you don't want a text document full of links asyour website; this is where we add graphics! A good rule of thumb when creating the look and feel of your site, is combining usability and good marketing. This means putting yourself in the users shoes (or office chair) and ask yourself, "How do I find Product 01?" The answer to that question may be found in several ways:
- A site map
- Clicking on the "Products" link on my side, top and/or footer text links
- Clicking on a banner created to promote Product 01 located on the home page or in an area constantly visible throughout the site
Keep in mind that marketing doesn't necessarily have to apply to a product, you can use the same techniques even if your site is about "MyGrandmother's Poetry" or "Crazy Pet Tricks".
posted by Kenito at 8:43 PM
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