WHAT MAKES A WEB SITE GOOD?

A good web site should be effortless and engaging. This is usually achieved using a combination of good graphics, good content, logical navigation, proper programming and interactivity.

Here are some of the essentials:

1. Logical navigation
A web site should be easy to navigate. You should always know where you are, where you were and easily get to where you want to go. Navigation should be oriented towards you, the client. If you can't navigate through the web site, the site has failed.

2. Good Graphics
Graphics on a web site should complement the content and not overwhelm the content. Too much clutter and too many flashy items can make the site lose credibility. A good web site uses images as necessary and makes sure those images are optimized. Nothing makes a user lose interest faster than a slow download.

3. Good content
After the graphics have gotten your attention, the content should keep you there. A good web site should have credible and original content as much as possible. This information will probably stand out to you and you'll most likely want to repeat your visit or share this site with others.

4. Proper Programming
There is nothing worse than seeing loose tags on your screen and clicking on broken links. You won't notice any problems if the site is programmed properly.

5. Interactivity
Does the web site engage you? Do you want to click to the next page? The web is an interactive tool, not a television, unless you have web tv. Regardless, the web site should pull you in and make you move around inside it.

Of course every web site is different and every web site should have different criteria. Whether you've done it consciously or unconsciously, you've revisited sites and never returned to other sites. Remember every web site has a purpose and if it fulfils its purpose, it is a good web site.