Chapter 3

Be conscious of the user’s experience and remember that there are still many different connection speeds in use. Page download times can be improved by cropping images, compressing with jpeg and/or gif formats, and using images, scripts or style sheets on multiple pages so they can be loaded from the cache.

When posting content that may take a while to download, it is important to give the user feedback so they know that something is happening. We have all had those experiences when we do not know if anything is happening or not and in that case, the common reaction is to simply leave the site. Provide a pre-loader or some kind of mini animation so the user can see how far along the download is.

There are scripts available that eliminate the navigation elements at the top of a page when content is loaded in a browser window. This can help save room on the page, however it may leave the user lost in your site. Those navigation elements are consistent throughout most of the web and provide some comfort and familiarity to the user.

There are a lot of advanced elements that may be added to a page in the form of plug-ins. When designing a site, be sure to use plug-ins for the audience’s sake. Many users may not have the plug-ins and will not be able to view the content unless they download the necessary files. Some users may chose to skip this step and move on to another site.

There are some basic elements that a site should have to remain consistent with the conventions of the web. There should be a page title, a site identifier, when the site was last updated, at least some navigation choices, and contact information. Keep in mind that these elements are to help the user through the site but the content and substance should remain dominant.