|
![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Dot Gov... Dot Dull? - Articles SurfingMost government Web sites are about as exciting as a Senate appropriations hearing. Besides lacking charisma, sites are difficult to navigate and a bear to search. But the possibilities of the Internet make having an effective Web site too valuable to neglect. The 'musts' of good government Web site design There are five major 'musts' to any government Website. The site must be: User-friendly Web sites must be designed with the user experience in mind. Every aspect of the site should make sense and follow expected patterns. For people to use it, it must be easier than picking up the phone. Options must be clearly defined and information as accessible as possible. Running in Circles Don't send your users on a wild goose chase. The path to find information must be direct. In standard Web site design, users should be able to access the key function of a site within three clicks. And watch for those nasty circles. Site maps and testing are vital to keeping a site free from loops. Every User, Everytime Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act demands that Web sites must be accessible to all users, regardless of impairment. Make this a chance to ensure your site resonates with everyone equally. By including such things as verbal tags and graphics identification, designers can make a site available to all the constituents. Seek and You Will Find Searches on government pages seem to search every government page. Instead, searches should be limited to the site from which it is made. And the search terms must be natural language. Include common words by thinking about what the audience would. Getting into the users head is key to any design endeavor. Image is Everything Branding gives a fresh look and feel to an otherwise boring site. In the same way commercial businesses use it, branding breeds loyalty. By presenting a consistent image, backed by a consistent experience, constituents know that a logo is more than just a picture. It's a promise of excellence. What now? It's easy to create a Web site, but making it great takes creativity and forethought. Imagine the user and what they expect and build from there. Dot gov and can be dot amazing.
RELATED SITES
Copyright © 1995 - 2024 Photius Coutsoukis (All Rights Reserved). |
![]() |
![]() Aging Arts and Crafts Auto and Trucks Automotive Business Business and Finance Cancer Survival Career Classifieds Computers and Internet Computers and Technology Cooking Culture Education Education #2 Entertainment Etiquette Family Finances Food and Drink Food and Drink B Gadgets and Gizmos Gardening Health Hobbies Home Improvement Home Management Humor Internet Jobs Kids and Teens Learning Languages Leadership Legal Legal B Marketing Marketing B Medical Business Medicines and Remedies Music and Movies Online Business Opinions Parenting Parenting B Pets Pets and Animals Poetry Politics Politics and Government Real Estate Recreation Recreation and Sports Science Self Help Self Improvement Short Stories Site Promotion Society Sports Travel and Leisure Travel Part B Web Development Wellness, Fitness and Diet World Affairs Writing Writing B |