Site Design

Running Head : SITE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Aesthetics and Usability of Web Design

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Abstract

Now that we are in the information age , internet had been able to conquer even the field of commerce . Web Design is important for companies who would like to set up an online store for their line of products . Certain principles should be followed in to come up with a design that would appeal to the product 's end users . Some of the pioneers in web development might give advices on how

a design specialist does his work . Successfulness of an online store depends on its web design does we should know how to avoid poor quality website architecture

Aesthetics and Usability of Web Design

Web stores are now prevalent nowadays . The current trend of providing consumers the choice to shop online is one of the most important goals of different companies . Being globally competitive is also one of the main reasons of the emergence of web stores . To gain a larger market area , one enterprise should take advantage of internet 's capabilities for e-commerce

The Church of Usability

Primary thing to make a decision when setting-up a web store is what would be its design that would not only appeal but also be easy to use for its target customers . Alan K 'necht discussed the different principles other web design experts use in his article , The Church of Usability (2001

Andrew Chak 's rules were first outlined . Chak had emphasized that a web design should stick with its purpose - to easily provide online purchasing of items to the costumers . Some of Chak 's advices were to optimize search and to properly use trigger words . Chak also believed that a web designer should use readily understood conventions such as blue underline for hyperlink and no underline for normal text

Alan Cooper , the inventor of Visual Basic , then voted for web stores that conform to minimalist design , fast page loading and robust error management . One such helpful advice he gave is that one must not make a user navigate through a complex , hierarchical website only to make them confuse . He also stress out on the importance of paging mechanism to be used especially for the first page . A simple but loaded with detailed information of the items sold should suffice for every page . Do not over animate as it contributes to longer page loading which might ruin instead the customers ' interest to buy a product

Robert Davis and Paul Laroche of Answerthink added that ensuring navigation , design and content should all suit the user 's purpose . They said that a web design should be clear - making navigation evident and simple , and make labels complete enough to be truly useful . They suggested including only a limited number of plug-ins to adhere with Cooper 's idea for fast page loading . They also recommended that a web design should be simple , consistent and relevant

Jacob Nielsen , the most widely regarded world 's leading expert on...