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10 Tips to Improve Web Ergonomics
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Sometimes small things can make a big difference.
This article is about the small things you can apply to your website and make a big difference in improving its ergonomics.
Web ergonomics is an integral part of Internet marketing as it makes your site more efficient and more persuasive. Your visitor must enjoy his visit and find information easily.
Here are a few tips.
1- What do you do?
When a visitor lands on one of your web pages, it is essential for the visitor to know quickly what you do. Place a series of words, a tagline, or an image that specifically describes what you do and the nature of your business. This way, the visitor can quickly assess whether he is on the right site.
2- Last modified in 1999!
You must update your content on a regular basis. We are not talking about rewriting your website’s entire content, but give your visitor a reason to come back. We suggest either news items, tips and how to’s, or even a blog.
3- Too much is like not enough!
Try to avoid cramming your webpage with useless links and unimportant content.
Simplify your front page in order to help your visitor find what he is looking for. Focus on a specific objective. For example, if you have an online shoe store, it may be useless to have a word from the president on the front page. You would instead focus on new arrivals or weekly specials.
4- Simplify the menu
Categorize the information in your menu, and keep it simple. Minimize the navigation within two menus and do not exceed 5 to 8 elements. Distinguish main and secondary menus. Use clear and descriptive terms.
5- Where am I?
Have you ever clicked something and ended up somewhere completely different to what you expected? Identify your sections properly on your site, and please use page titles that match menu titles.
6- Back home.
Your visitor must always see and be able to go back home to his starting point. This must be one of the most essential tips in this article.
7- Find it
How many times did you leave a site because you could not find the information you are looking for? Insert search tools or a site map on your website to help your visitors. Your website’s statistics are a good indicator of what your visitors are looking for.
8- Pop-up windows and external links
Not only is it annoying, but it is also not suggested. You will strongly influence your visitor to leave your site. Also identify all external links with an icon, or a distinct color. Your visitor can then decide whether he wants to leave your site at that moment or not.
9- Action. Action. Action.
Your site has an objective and your visitor must be invited to accomplish that objective. If you want your visitor to subscribe to your newsletter, you should insert a sign up form in your HTML template; to make it available on all pages. If you want your visitor to access information, insert a search engine. If you want your customer to download a free trial, than make sure the button translating that action is visible. Focus on a limited number of objectives.
10- What does it say?
Bad typography can discourage your visitor. It may be a trendy type choice or a design like color; however, it may just not be readable enough for your visitor. Web experts are constantly saying that content is everything? In which case, if you can’t read it… well… you know the rest! With text elements, contrast is everything. Dark type on a light background is the most convenient for the eye. Use a 10 to 12 point font and standard or extended line spacing.
Although the tricks mentioned here may seem simple, they will make a big difference. Obviously it is harder to modify a website than creating one, therefore these elements should always be thought through while elaborating on the plans of your website.
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