Web Site Design Evaluation Checklist

from Alison J. Head's DesignWise: A Guide for Evaluating the Interface Design of Information Resources (1999, Information Age Books; ISBN 0-910965-31-5; Amazon | B&N.com)

• Purpose - what the site is about and the kind of information it has - and audience - who the site is for - are visibly identified and clearly described on the opening pages so that users know if the site will support their tasks or not.
• Useful content is pushed toward the top of the site and is easy to locate so that users' processing time is decreased.
• Site maps and/or tables of contents that provide users with an overall, visual schema of the site's contents are available, giving users insight into the site's organization and context.
• Users have a choice of search interfaces that support simple and advanced search modes so that interfaces have flexibility to support first-time and repeat users.
• Examples of search techniques and strategies, including the use of Boolean operators, are available so that users can learn how to maximize the power of the search interface.
• The scope of the searchable collection is visibly identified and clearly described on the search interface page so that users know which area of the site they are searching.
• The search results page is clearly organized and information is thoroughly presented so that users can easily make selection decisions and not have to sort through redundant, vague, and incomplete result links.
• Each page is clearly labeled with a header, date, and source so that users have landmarks and a sense of where they are.
• Menu options are limited to five to seven choices unless they are grouped as a chunk of information so that users can absorb information.
• Links are underlined in blue for consistency, and a phrase instead of a word is underlined so that users can recognize links and have more information on which to base a linking decision.
• Links have meaningful and obvious labels; abstraction is avoided so that users do not have to second-guess each link's meaning.
• Alternative methods of navigation exist, including navigational bars at the bottom and top of the page, so that users have increased control over interaction with the interface at all times.
• Consistency exists throughout, especially in layout, icons, terminology, and placement of options and color, so that users can apply what they have learned from page to page.
• Graphics are kept at a minimum and appear only when they add valuable meaning to the content on the screen.
• Animation is used very sparingly, if at all, so that user's distraction levels are decreased and they can concentrate on information retrieval tasks.
• Downloading time for graphics is minimized by showing thumbnails that have an option for enlargement.
• "Alt text" tags give users the option to avoid images altogether but still know their meaning.
• Pages are laid out so that white space and barriers (e.g., horizontal lines) are at a minimum so that the content is easily scanned by users.
• Web writing is concise and objective, instead of promotional, so that users can process content quickly.
• Pages with text do not exceed two to three full screens so that users can scan the content quickly.
• Users receive feedback about image size, loading time, and processing time so they know whether the system is working.
• Users have the option to contact the Webmaster with a "mail to" function and can expect a timely response.