Web Site Evaluation
with special thanks to Prof. Sally
Gill MMC
Web pages and the Internet/worldwide web have become an important source
of information presentation and research. Yet much of the information is
poorly presented and often questionable. For this assignment review a number
of sites that address questions covered in this class and find two good ones
- then write a short review (1/2 to 1 page). These will be shared with the
class so be accurate in listing the URL. Include the search engine you used
to find it. Consider such things as:
1. Screen Design and Layout
How does each page utilize the screen? Does the layout draw you in or does
it look like it was just sort of dropped there? Are page/screen sizes
consistent or do you have to keep resizing the window as you move through
the site? Does your eye feel invited to "go with the flow" or is
it assaulted? Can you print the screen? Does it fit on one page or is it so
wide it drifts onto a second?
2. Information Design
Is the information broken up into digestible chunks? Is it broken up into
segments that make sense logically? Is it "nested" logically? If
there are long blocks of copy, are descriptive subheads used to help
organize the info and give the reader a preview/overview? Can you jump text
with buttons or links?
3. Text as a Graphic Element
Is it readable? Too small/too big/just right? Does the typography (font) -
especially that used for titles and headlines -- fit the subject matter and
audience? Is its use consistent?
4. Copy
Does the information make sense? Is there jargon? Are there misspelled words
or other typos? Does it provide the information you were expecting? Does it
actively engage you? Are you bored reading it?
5. Navigation Scheme
Is it easy to move throughout the site? Does the navigation make sense? Do
you feel like you are lost or did you actually get lost? Are the links
consistent? Do you have a sense of what the icons mean before clicking? Do
you get booted out? Or worse yet, locked in so you can't go back?
6. Stylistic Unity
Does the site maintain a consistent style? Or appropriate changes in
different sectors?
7. Graphics and music
Are graphics optimized or compressed properly? Do they look jaggy, shimmery,
squished, have weird halos, edges that look odd, or anything else that makes
them look unprofessional? Are the photos clear and crisp or out of focus
with pixels showing. Is there music or video?
8. Colors
Do the color choices make the information easy to read? Do they create an
atmosphere suitable to the subject? do they work well together?
9. Usability
Does everything work? Does it load quickly? Can you tell that something is
not appearing or not performing as it is supposed to? Do you get error
messages?
10. Links
Are there links to other related sites? Do they work? How is the quality of
the links?
Overall: Information quality and authority
Does this site have credible, reliable and understandable information? Is it
referenced? Is the research plausible and are sources of information
identified? What possible bias might it have? Does it draw you in, keep you
interested, and prevent you from getting lost and confused? Does it tell a
story? Would you recommend it? How could it be improved?
Further reading:
Alexander, J.E. and M.A. Tate. 1999. Web Wisdom. Lawrence Erlbaum
Associates, New Jersey 156 p.
Nielsen, Jakob. 2000. Designing
Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity. New
Riders Publishing, Indianapolis, 2000.
useit.com: Jakob Nielsen's
Website - Authoritative Source on
Web Usability
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