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STANDARDS HOME WEB STANDARDS RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES TRAINING
     

MC Recommended Web Guidelines

NOTE:  Although the following are NOT required, using these guidelines will make your site more appealing to visitors, and easier to navigate, load and understand.

  1. Even if your design takes up the entire screen at 800x600, you may choose to center your layout tables when applicable so that browsers will present your page centered at all screen resolutions.
  2. Do not underline text solely for emphasis - users will think it is a link.
    Use underlined text for links embedded in text when possible.
  3. Present information and similar functions in consistent locations throughout the site.
    Use closely related navigation layout on all pages.
  4. Use clear descriptive headings to organize text.
  5. Use familiar font families; don't mix serif and sans serif fonts.
  6. Do not boldface or italicize your entire text - it decreases readability.
  7. Avoid background images - if you use a background image, be sure the text is legible against the background.
  8. Consider optimizing download time when building web pages.
  9. Realize that each browser - and browser version - may handle extended HTML codes and JavaScript differently.
  10. Place important categories higher on the page, so users can locate them quickly.
  11. Try to display all important data on the first screen view, and avoid horizontal scrolling whenever possible.
  12. Avoid opening links to new windows whenever possible.
  13. If you use frames, try to use the <frames><noframes> option.
  14. Other useful tools available through the MC Web Resources and Services group. Utility will vary from site to site.

To increase your skills in building websites that will attract and hold users, we recommend that you visit websites that address web design and useability, such as Jakob Nielsen's useit.com site, Web Design and Useability Guidelines from the National Cancer Institute, or WebAIM - Web Accessibility in Mind.

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MC Recommended Web Standards and Examples were adapted from
Usability.govLink to EXTERNAL SITE and Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)Link to EXTERNAL SITE

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