Textual Content:

• keep the web site simple and to the point; in most cases, the primary goal is to convey information

• text should be condensed & positioned for maximum impact (place the most important information up front)

• keep pages of text short (2 screens at most on any page) and use links for lengthier requirements- it’s easier to click than to scroll

• don't turn off prospective clients by sloppiness on spelling & grammar (this is critical!)

• avoid use of cliches, abbreviations and jargon

• ensure contact information is clearly accessible (your name, phone, fax, email link)

• ensure information is current and accurate (update your site regularly)

Site

 Organization:

• ensure the site provides clear and consistently located navigation tools to guide the visitor quickly to the information they're looking for

• for larger sites, include a search function

• use a consistent look and feel on all web pages to define the boundaries of your site

• provide hyperlinks at points of reference as well as in the navigation structure

• don't link to pages on your site that are "under construction" – this wastes the visitor's time

Visual

 Interest:

• use a banner logo to visually identify your organization,  this can also be used to link to your site from other sites

• use images in a balanced way - to sustain visitor interest without overwhelming the textual content

• integrate a variety of visuals as appropriate for enhancing the content (animated gifs, flash videos, thumbnails, stock graphics, photos)

• avoid noisy background images that obscure text

• keep all potential visitors in mind (e.g. use ALT (image descriptions) so that people with text browsers can use & understand the pages)

Technical Design:

• optimize graphics for fast site loading

• use metatags to optimize search engine functionality

• avoid browser-specific formats and coding    

• test the page fully before publishing   

• use technical features to minimize maintenance effort    

(on to "Rates" page)