Designers are rarely free to do whatever comes to mind. Just as designers consider their users’ needs for specific information, they must also consider any constraints imposed on them by their users’ hardware, software, and speed of connection to the Internet. Today, a single operating system (Microsoft’s XP) dominates
personal computer market. Similarly, only two Web site browsers are favored by the vast majority of users. More than ninety percent of users have their monitors set to 1024×768, 800×600 or 1280×1024 pixel resolution. And while most users at work have high-speed Internet access, many home users still connect using dial-up.
Within the constraints of available time, money, and resources, it is usually impossible to design for all users. Therefore, identify the hardware and software used by your primary and secondary audiences and design to maximize the effectiveness of your Web site.
Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines
Design for Common Browsers
Relative Importance:
Guideline: Design, develop and test for the most common browsers.
Comments: Designers should attempt to accommodate ninety-five percent of all users. Ensure that all testing of a Web site is done using the most popular browsers.
Sources of information about the most commonly used browsers:
• http://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist.html
• http://www.thecounter.com/stats/
Sources: Evans, 1998; Jupitermedia Corporation, 2003; Morrell, et al., 2002; Nielsen, 1996b.
Example:
Strength of Evidence:
Hardware and Software
This site, when rendered on a Macintosh, falls apart (right). The website should display properly on all platforms, as it does below when rendered on a PC.
See page xxii for detailed descriptions of the rating scales
Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines
Account for Browser Differences
Relative Importance:
Guideline: Do not assume that all users will have the same browser features, and will have set the same defaults.
Comments: Users with visual impairments tend to select larger fonts, and some users may turn off backgrounds, use fewer colors, or overrides font. The designer should find out what settings most users are using, and specify on the Web site exactly what assumptions were made about the browser settings.
Sources: Evans, 1998; Levine, 1996.
For more information please visit our website at: http://www.cpccci.com and http://www.cpcwebsolutions.com
Tags: designing your home page, effective homepage, hardware, scrolling, software, web design, web scrolling, web site scrolling, website design
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