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Site Info: Behind The Scenes

"People don't go to the FedEx web site to be entertained
any more than they go to a FedEx office to be entertained."
Henri de Toulouse-LaTech: Art and the Zen of Web Sites
The elements of text, graphics, hyperlinks, forms, music, multimedia, photos, etc.. all combine to create the Content of a website. This article deals with the visible and the behind-the-scenes items that should  be part of each website:

Accuracy   Top

Canadian/British/American spellings can vary, and the rules of grammar can be broken for effect, but generally there is no excuse for inaccuracy. Spell-Check and Grammar-Check are standard tools in Word Processing programmes. A site with typos and spelling errors reflects poorly on the owner, and gives an unprofessional look.

Copyright   Top

A Statement of Copyright will not, in itself, protect the theft of your content. It will enable you to pursue any such incidents, and it will accomplish the point of your website which is to give information to your viewers.

Privacy Statement   Top

If you gather information from your visitors (and filling out a Contact Form qualifies here) tell them what you'll be doing with it. This is a courtesy and  good business practise.

Validation   Top

The W3C: World Wide Web Consortium is an organization that sets world-wide Internet standards. Meeting these standards ensures visibility of your website on different browsers and viewing platforms. Unfortunately, not all browsers fully adhere to the standards but new developments are focusing on compliance. Eventually valid webpages will be viewable on everything from a PC to WebTV to a hand-held appliance. (Maybe even Dick Tracy's wristwatch!)

Accessibility   Top

Guidelines are established to facilitate the use of such assistance-devices as screen-readers and voice recognition software. The WAI: Web Accessibility Initiative writes "...for people with disabilities access to this technology is sometimes even more critical than for the general population which may have an easier time accessing traditional sources of information..."

Accessibility also addresses such concerns as low-speed internet connections. (Read our article "Enhancing the Visual Web Experience")

Compatibility   Top

Referencing the correct "Document Type" allows the viewer's browser to correctly interpret the content on your website. Refer to the "Validation" section above for more details.

Test the look of your site by changing the browser settings to disable "show pictures". Can you still navigate? Are you given any information about the picture that should be in that place-holder?

Meta Tags   Top

Open your browser's "View" drop-down menu and select "Source". This will open a new window showing the code of the webpage. It begins with Meta Tags which are read by the browsers, the robots of search engines, by child-protection software, and by other web developers. Meta Tags are used to sort and classify, to identify, to block (or not), and to provide more information about your website.

Interaction   Top

Hyperlinks, Forms, Search, Passwords, Multimedia - these are some examples of the elements which distinguish the Web from all other forms of communication. Developers are even working on a way to deliver product smells, similar to the perfume "sniffer samples" in magazines, through your machine. Can you imagine visiting the website of a chocolate factory and enjoying that delicious aroma? It's important that your visitors can easily experience all of your site's content.
  • If using an uncommon media application include a link to download a player/reader
  • Ensure all links are in working order
  • Ensure all graphics are optimized for the quickest possible download
  • Don't underline text that isn't linked
  • Do give text links in addition to graphic links/image maps
  • Acknowledge when forms are sent so the viewer has confirmation
  • Make sure the website provides sufficient Contact information
  • Allow the viewer the option of traveling through the website in the direction he wants to go
  • Leave out all the tricks (like endless pop-up consoles upon exiting) and techniques (like disabled mouse buttons) that annoy you when surfing
  • Remember that "Content is King"

Conclusion

Provide the necessary information, whether seen or not, to enrich your viewer's experience and enjoyment of your website, and to make your Content available through all user-devices. A well-formed website is more expensive/time-consuming to develop but it saves in Customer Service costs!

"Site Info: Behind The Scenes"  written by Lynda French
Permission to reprint/link is freely given with acknowledgement of the source

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