First Impressions: 'Visual Appeal' vs. 'Visibility'
A visitor's first impression of a website determines if they stay or go and is a determining factor in gaining or losing that Internet customer. With that in mind, things such as fonts, colors and line lengths are key factors in site design and development. While visual appeal is important for first impressions, visibility is important overall, so teams should work together to ensure website continuity on all sides.

Load Time
This should be kept to an absolute minimum. People don't like waiting and they won't.

Consistency
Consistency will enable visitors to browse effortlessly throughout your website viewing and absorbing the content they are interested in, leaving with a sense of satisfaction. A good online experience means there is a much better chance a visitor will provide their contact information.

Identity
Assuming every visitor knows who you are is a common mistake. Using corporate colors in the design, linking the company logo to the home page, and adding home and contact links on the interior pages are easy ways to avoid this.

Navigation
Website navigation should be set in an easy, consistent style so that a visitor can focus on the content, not fumble around trying to find what they are looking for.

Content
Keep the content pertinent. Visitors want to see information relevant to the site. Don't junk it up with items that don't belong. They'll compete with the real content and push viewers away.

Collecting Data
Measuring trends and demographics, conducting tests, collecting data and following tracking results all help site usability. This is an area that doesn't get the attention or respect it deserves. When available (and accessed) this type of data provides information to help plan online marketing strategies and in the design and development stages of a new website.

A website's usability covers many areas of information. Consider all of them when making decisions during the planning and development stages of a website or for more information contact ronnie@praxisagency.com.