[Neily]

I'm going to be drafting my website in the next couple of days (and getting my computer whizz of a cosuin to code it for me!), and was wondering:

1. What do we think is essential (aside from contact details etc)
2. What not do in terms of usability etc.
3. Any handy tips?

:)

[chris_17]

What kind of website is it? Portfolio?

- Clearly list your services.
- Show your work.
- Blogs (good for SEO, and getting your name out there)
- Easy contact info such as forms.
- About
- Accessibility - ALT tags for screen readers.


But if he knows about HTML and coding then surely you don't need to tell him this

[Neily]

Yeah for my portfolio, maybe my dj sets too but haven't decided!

What about landing pages? Are they an aid or a hindrance?

[chris_17]

Originally Posted by Neily

Yeah for my portfolio, maybe my dj sets too but haven't decided!

What about landing pages? Are they an aid or a hindrance?

hindrance, others may disagree but I don't like them at all, I posted these on another thread about portfolio pages they might give you some ideas about layout etc.

Five steps to a better design portfolio, by Jeffrey Veen

7 Tips For Improving Graphic Design Portfolios

Chris

[KevJaques]

Hmm that first link is not that great an example, although the author writes about a doctype and I can appreciate it's an old post, the page/site does not have a doctype, therefore will not validate.
Part of the art of designing is to also design a decent framework which does what it should do, don't just judge a book by its cover!

[OliverB]

Originally Posted by chris_17

What kind of website is it? Portfolio?

- Clearly list your services.
- Show your work.
- Blogs (good for SEO, and getting your name out there)
- Easy contact info such as forms.
- About
- Accessibility - ALT tags for screen readers.


But if he knows about HTML and coding then surely you don't need to tell him this

As well as ALT tags, add title tags to your images. ALT tags don't appear in Firefox, Safari or Chrome.

[DougBarned]

Splash pages are bad. There is little, to no, arguement for them and many against.

I know of a good site for this kinda stuff...

The Do’s & Don’ts of Modern Web Design • Relevant, snacksized web design resources

Strangely similar to your topic hehe

/Doug

[JMCDesigner]

Originally Posted by DougBarned

Splash pages are bad. There is little, to no, arguement for them and many against.

I second that