WEB SITE PRODUCTION TIPS

What Makes a Web Site Effective?

1. Objectives: It's built on a strategy that supports the organization's business, marketing and communications objectives.
   
   
2. Content: Rich content that is easy to navigate and cross-linked effectively.
   Example: Aboriginal Business Development Online
   
   
3. Navigation: Content architecture that is well organized and delineated, with overviews that guide the user to content within.
   Example: Lonely Planet On-Line
   
   
4. Readability: Copy that is clear, concise and creative. Top-level pages that are easy to scan, leaving detailed information to sub-pages.
   Example: Wired News
   
   
5. Links from one topic to supporting data or information within the site or to related resources at other sites.
   Example: ITBusiness.ca
   
   
6. Value-added features that provide visitors with reasons to come back, such as contests, coupons or specialty information that benefit those interested in the product or service.
   Example: NUA Internet Surveys
   
   
7. Design: A layout that is user-friendly, easy to read or scan, and that works with a variety of browsers and computer configurations.
   Example: Ontario Parent Council
   
   
8. Multi-media: Graphic, audio, animation or video features that enhance the look and feel of a site, that provide information, and/or entertainment.
   Example: the Elevated Wetlands
   
   
9. Interactivity: Functions that enable users to manipulate their interaction with site content and features.
   Example: Grocery Gateway
   
   
10. Accessibility: Providing visitors with a means to place an order, get support, and to provide feedback online.
    Example: Cirque du Soleil
    
    
11. Performance: Pages that take less than 15 seconds to download using a 56,000 baud modem. Unless your key publics expect your site to be adorned with multi-media features, visitors will move on to other sites if the content they're looking for takes too long to receive.
    
    
12. Profile: Promoting the Web site externally and online to build traffic
    Example: chapters.indigo.ca
    
    
13. Data mining: Including a means to collect visitor data through online forms.
    Example: My Yahoo: Personalized News Page
    
    
14. Measurement: Including a means to track visitor traffic and other user statistics.
    
    
15. Maintenance: Keeping content current and adding new information and features. Ensuring external links are still relevant and appropriate. Ensuring the site functions as desired.
    Example: Computer Virus Myths Treaties

These examples are for your information and enjoyment.
To provide variety, we choose examples from across many sectors. We will be refreshing examples shown periodically.

If you know of sites of special interest which you feel strongly illustrate one or more of the points above you are welcome to send us the site name and Web address.