Web Maker

A short course in designing and bulding a web site.

Web Site Design Guidelines

Rules of thumb for easy-to-use web sites.

Easy to read

Black text on a plain white background is by far the easiest to read.
People read best with 10 to 12 words per line.
Stick to system fonts, plain text, 12-points.
Use a serif font for body text, sans serif for titles.
Don't mix more than two fonts or two sizes on a page.
Keep the space between words consistent.
Never use all caps. Except for EXIT and STOP.
Make sure titles contrast with body text.
Achieve contrast with size, indent, and separation.
Separate paragraphs with line space or indents, but not both.
Leave plenty of white space around the text.
Build your page around a single axis.
Make your document balance, from top to bottom, right to left.
The simpler the better.

Consistent navigation

  • Use the audience's terms.
  • Let people know where they are.
  • Keep your buttons above the scroll.
  • Put the same buttons in the same places.
  • Avoid wordless icons.
  • The simpler the better.

    • Simple design

  • Every pixel has a purpose.
  • When in doubt, leave it out.
  • Design for a single screen. (640 x 480 pixels)
  • See the first item under "Easy to read," above.
  • Stick to a single visual theme.
  • White space is your friend.
  • Design for the technical configuration of the typical audience member.
  • The simpler the better.


    • Copyright © by James G. Lengel 1997.