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10
ways to improve parish web design
by
Graeme J. Davidson,
February
2001
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"I
think we should go with an early art deco layout, an ancient
gothic scroll text, a revolving crib scene, flashing stained
glass windows ...."
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Parish web
pages must reflect the way people use the web. People are driven
by content rather than by packaging and flashy effects.
They scan
headlines and captions until they find what interests them, then
dive in. Indeed, they may dive deep very quickly, linking from
site to site as they search out details and related information.
Theological Editions is set up to enable people to do this
easily.
Eye-tracking
studies from Stanford
University and the Poynter Institute show that web page headlines
and captions grab the first few eye fixations, 78% compared to
22% for graphics.
All too often
parish web developers try to look 'professional' with the latest
in graphic fashions and the use of multimedia audio, only to find
that visitors don't look at the images until a later visit to
the page. Usually they find multimedia effects a distraction.
10 tips
for layout and design
- Users
skim web pages to find links and material that interests them.
Keep headings brief, direct and to the point. Use subheadings
so that people can find what they want without having to sift
through unnecessary information.
- If using
photos, make them postcard size. Avoid lots of logos and advertising
(apart from classified ads) and pop-up windows. These annoy
and lower credibility. Also avoid designing to impress the Parish
Council, the Bishop, or, worst of all, other web designers.
Allow for user-interaction so that it is not a static parish
newsletter.
- Provide
simple byte-sized information. Use the journalistic style of
the tabloids. Also combine shallow reading with selected depth.
For example, Theological Editions runs a summary or a
teaser providing enough information for selection. We don't
assume that everyone wants to read every item referenced. We
have provided a smorgasbord for people to pick and choose.
- Provide
an easy to read layout. Don't cram the page. Great chunks of
text are a real turnoff.
- Information
should be easy to find. Users should be able to get to the information
they want within three clicks. They should also be able to move
across the site without having to go back to the home page every
time they want to look at a new topic. Use standard navigation
tools and colours. In Theological Editions we underline
rather than use roll-over links to avoid confusion as to whether
a heading is a link.
- Think of
those with disabilities and the older members of the parish
with poorer eyesight. You can check the disability rating of
your site by going to http://www.cast.org/bobby/.
- Check how
it looks on 15 inch screens set to the lowest resolution and
on the main web browsers, especially Netscape and Microsoft
Explorer. Internet users are impatient. Download times should
be fast.
- Links should
be up to date.
- Stick to
standard styles so that visitors feel confident using your site.
- Focus test
your site on at least half a dozen potential users to get honest
feedback about usability.
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See
also
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guide to religion in the 2004 US elections
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The
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Alpha
Courses: A global franchise with slick packaging and dubious contents?
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Harry
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Clergy
abuse: Legal fallout intensifies for Catholics, others >>
more
Gambling
now: vice, virtue or both? >>
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The
Pentecost experience >>
more
Best
bible resources on the Net >>
more
Are
parish web sites worth the effort? >>
more
10
key ideas for proclaiming the Word from the browser tops >>
more
10
ways to improve parish web design >>
more
Was
Jesus a member of the Essenes? >>
more
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