Best Web site design practices
With good Web design, visitors should be able to quickly understand what they are looking at on a Web page without thinking about it.
Simplicity should act as a guide in all Web-based communication. Consider the following
tips:
- Pick one navigation scheme, and use it throughout the site.
- Make sure you think of your Web visitors.
- Consider how people are interacting with the site. What information are they looking
for most frequently? Can they find it easily? - Keep navigation items to a minimum.
- Stay away from metaphorical navigation (e.g., don’t make people spin a Rotary
wheel).
In all electronic communications, readers should immediately recognize who is
publishing the material and why. Make sure the Rotary emblem, the name of your club,
district, etc., and a descriptive title are placed prominently at the top of Web sites and
electronic newsletters.
Besides placing a logo and name at the top of the page, consider linking to www.rotary.org
and offering RI news and information via RI’s RSS feeds. Linking to the Rotary
International site clarifies the club’s or project’s relationship with RI to the reader and
helps to promote Rotary’s other initiatives.
If no one in your club or district has Web design experience, consider hiring an
experienced design firm or picking up a good book like Don’t Make Me Think! by Steve Krug before jumping into a large project.
Learn more in the Visual Identity Guide.