Website Design

So what makes a web site work?

There are many contributing factors in designing a web site, colouring a web site, graphics to text mix, content relevance, familiar function set up, etc, etc.

Q. How do people search sites?

A. Most people use a search engine, either via it being their home page or in favourites as an easy access. Just fewer than 90% of Australians use Google, with Yahoo, MSN, yellow pages and some other minor ones filling the final 10%

Q. How long do they stay on sites?

A. In 2006 a study by Nielsen Norman Group looked at web site behaviours, they found some interesting statistics;
Average of 27 seconds per page
Average of 1 Minute 49 seconds on a site
Average of 3.2 sites per task (plus search engine)
Average of 3 minutes 49 seconds on target site

It’s important to know that all words on a page are not read, probably only 20 or 30 words per page as most of the time is spent working out what’s in front of them. This is where the focus on the “F” design layout on a web page improves familiarisation.

Q. How many sites on average do people search before finding what they want?

A. Average of 3.2 sites per task (plus search engine). In other words if you’re not on the first page of the majority of keyword searches then you will not receive enquiries.

Q. How should a web page be designed to make for easy reading?

A. The website needs to be built in a familiar style to the viewer so as they instinctively understand the layout and navigate with relative ease, eye tracking F-shape”.