Do not make me think, blog content - revisited

Posted: February 28, 2010 at 02:56:44 by Dani Iswara. Words count: 513.
Last updated: March 9, 2010 at 03:26:40.

In my term, information architecture (IA) refer to the art and science to make user interfaces more usable and findable. Deeper into the blog content, it should be easy to use and understand. No need to think hard or much guessing. Web usability is for most common users or people. While Web accessibility is intended for wider users, including difable (differently-abled) and elderly people. Your Web site is not targeting everyone? I do agree that. Better if you have a niche topic for special users or readers. Gains more focused visitors. But, that is not a reason to make a barrier on the horizontal World Wide Web (WWW), Internet. Please, do care of their human rights accessing information. These writing may not suite for your blog concept, except humanism. But, you may put it into consideration. And this blog, Dani Iswara .Net, is not that perfect in all section.

It is time to rethinking

Still using disable images mode. From the top to the bottom, left to the right, page by page, post by post, these are my concerns when visiting a website/blog in the first time:

1. Where is your blog favicon? I have some tabs open here.
2. What is all about? What kind of blog is this? What is the topic? Your descriptive blog title and tag line might help. If it is not the correct one, I will leave now.
3. I do scroll if you think above the fold is not that important anymore. More faster I know the main idea of the blog, less time needed to make a decision to leave or to stay.
4. Who is the author? Are you medical-related professional?
5. Where is your photo? Should I call you Mr. or Mrs.? Useful in a local culture communication.
6. Distinct and contrast headings are better. Make it standout.
7. Underlined texts are clickable links in my mind. I hope so, including headings as links, if any. Do not waste my time to guess.
8. What click here? Imagine difable users when tabbing your links. No excuse for "click here".
9. Do I have visited those links? Make it different in color and style.
10. Links for the navigation and related topics. Button for the action.
11. Your tabindex did not work. Delete it if you do not have a very complex form.
12. Human challenge for commenting system? Make it easier for users.
13. Your submit button, if any, must works while disable images.
14. Right click is to open links in new tab. Not to steal your content.
15. Left aligned looks better (in bahasa Indonesia).
16. Blocked paragraph with its main idea is easier to understand.
17. Use text special such as strong emphasis/bold and emphasis/italic properly for human. Not to manipulate Internet search engine.
18. Be selective on your special text.
19. Use descriptive short URL.
20. Use text-based bullets for lists. Not tiny-image-based only.
21. Where are images? Are they decorative only? If not, use descriptive alt attribute clearly.
22. I need to contact you. Where is your mail address or other contact information? Better if there is an accessible and secure contact form.

Of course, this is not a complete list. I do not like to make a numeric post title. This post will be updated, if necessary. :)

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Dani Iswara, mail me: [myfirstnamelastname]@gmail.com.