Site Layout & Usability
Article III of V
by Brandon Jubar
Effective Use of Hyper-Links
In Part I of this article, we discussed the concept of aligning your Parish Web
site with the purpose and goals that you had set during the initial planning stage. In
almost all instances, the structure that best fits this maxim is one created around user
demographics rather than a structure based upon the Parish Org Chart. We looked at some
examples of different topic areas and concluded with any idea on how to appease the
'functional area advocates' through the use of content link pages.
In Part II, we will discuss (i) the different ways to use links in order to
facilitate ease of navigation, (ii) Cascading Style Sheets to allow consistent and
flexible formatting of content, and (iii) the importance of good directory structure,
including file naming conventions and the necessity to maintain the URLs of individual
content pages.
[Please Note: Although much of the information on the proper utilization of
links is very applicable to individual page layout, we will discuss it here for two
reasons: (i) it is common to the entire site and (ii) the structure and types of links
utilized can be effected by the way in which you choose to organize your Parish Web site.]
Linking Your Pages
Before we delve into the specific recommendations on effectively using links
within your Parish Web site, is important to understand the basic premise under which this
discussion takes place, which is: The user-friendly Web site offers multiple paths, and an
interconnectedness that allows users to flow with their thoughts as they navigate through
your site.
Studies have shown that most people, when reading content on the Web, tend to
skim the materially, keying in on headlines and bold text, and that they do not travel
through your site in a linear fashion. In other words, most of your users will not read
your content as if they were reading a printed book. They will actually feel restricted if
they are forced to move through your site in a straight line, page by page.
A user-friendly Web site tries to be more intuitive, focusing on how the user
thinks. So, when designing your site's navigation scheme and practices, keep in mind the
following:
* DON'T ASSUME that your visitors will have the same preferences as you. Certain
things trigger different responses or reactions in different people.
* RECOGNIZE that when a piece of information piques our interest, our minds will
pause to think about it. As you read through your content, what strikes you and triggers
this response?
* UNDERSTAND the fragmented nature of our thinking. Most humans jump from
thought to thought, so your Web site should make it easy for users to pursue different
trains of thought.
Navigation Bars
Navigation Bars (nav bars), or navigation menus, should be complete enough to
allow ease of movement across topic areas, yet not so detailed that they become cumbersome
to use. I prefer to place higher-level nav bars at both the top and bottom of my pages.
For smaller Parish Web sites, these may be the only nav bars or menus needed.
Larger more content-rich Web sites may need to utilize topical menus, in
addition to the nav bars at the top and bottom of the page. Many web surfers have become
accustomed to looking at the left column of the page to locate the topical menu, and that
is where I prefer to place it. Using our previous example, within the "For Teens
Only..." topic area, the left column may look something like this:
- 'For Teens' Home
- Youth Group
- Religious Education
- Service Opportunities
- Lifestyle
- Opinion Page
- Self-Help
- Message Boards
If your Parish Web site is even more robust, there may be sub-headings under
these. Many high-end Web sites use mouse-over drop-down menus, where you hold your mouse
pointer over a topic and a sub-menu pops up. These and other bells and whistles are not
usually recommended by the ParishWebmaster.com, and this is no exception. Regardless of
the usability problems created by these flashy elements, they are headaches with which
your Parish Webmaster should not have to deal. Keep your menus simple and easy to use.
It should be noted that many usability experts advocate minimizing the use of
nav bars and menus, and encourage a much stronger focus on content. I agree, to a point.
Many sites suffer from navigation overkill. Large nav bars at the top and bottom of the
page, extensive menus in the left sidebar, 'related content' menus in the right sidebar,
boxes with sponsored links placed in the middle of the content column...! This is
definitely the 80/20 Rule in action. 80% of the value of the page is provided by 20% of
the content. I personally feel we should apply the Rule a bit differently:
- 80% of the pixels on your page should be providing meaningful content
- 20% should be titles, logos, navigation, etc.
Offer Options at the End
One way to include meaningful links (i.e. navigation tools) is to offer them at
the end of your text/content. When a person finishes reading an article on
ParishWebmaster.com, for instance, we try to include links to related topics that might
interest them. The difference between this and simply sticking a menu in a sidebar is
twofold:
First, we have not distracted our reader by placing extra material in the path
of their reading. They have more than enough distractions already.
Second, we include a brief synopsis, explanation or review of what they will
find at the end of the link. There are few things more frustrating than trusting a Web
site's link, only to find irrelevant or poor content when you click through.
Place Links in the Text Body
The concept here is similar to placing related links at the end of the content,
only it is more specific and more immediate. As a reader goes through your text, the ideas
you present will trigger thoughts and reactions. The trick is to identify those ideas
which may raise a question in the mind of the reader. Obviously, a prime spot for a text
body link is the place where a question may arise.
Three ways to locate good places for text body links are:
- Key off of the main ideas
- Look for proper nouns
- Identify ideas or areas which could be expanded
When you are creating links within the body of your text, the Parish Webmaster
should keep track of the links and the type of content. The content that you are linking
to on other sites may provide an excellent source of ideas for expanding the breadth and
depth of your Parish Web site's content. Also make sure you note any links that you would
like to have, for which you cannot find relevant content. These are prime topics for
future site content. Of course, it also helps to have a list of desired content when you
are surfing other sites.
NOTE: One unfortunately common device I strongly advise against using is the
"click here for more information" link. The text body link must be a word (or
words) with significant meaning, and it should not break the flow of the content. If you
are talking about the Music Minister, Paul Jonas, then Paul Jonas should be the link to
his bio. There is absolutely no reason to say, "The Christmas pageant was directed by
Paul Jonas, our Music Minister. To read more about Paul, click here." The statement
should read, " The Christmas pageant was directed by Paul Jonas, our Music
Minister." No break in the flow, but there is an obvious link there, if anyone is
interested.
The Key to Navigation and Linking
The key to navigation and proper linking is this:
DON'T RELY ON NAVIGATION BARS.
Nav bars are either too linear or too cumbersome. It is necessary to have them,
but in order to give your visitors the freedom to flow through your site content and
follow numerous trains of thought, you must focus on linking many different ideas. These
links should be found in varied locations throughout the pages of your Parish Web site. |
