Designing a Web Site for Your Congregation

Communicate Effectively

Getting your message across effectively makes users more likely to gain knowledge from your site and to visit it repeatedly. Using standard language, formatting, and style help to create a useful, clear message.

Keep Pages Short
Short pages are better than long pages. People are more likely to read a short passage of text than a long one, especially if they have to make an extra effort, like scrolling, to do it. Onscreen text is more difficult and time consuming to read than printed text.

Use Formatting Wisely
Keep your pages inviting and easy to read by using short paragraphs and by limiting the use of text formatting such as bold and italic style. You can use bulleted or numbered lists where appropriate and techniques such as indented paragraphs of text (block quoted) or centered text to set off key ideas.

Summarize Information
Emphasize key points in long passages of text with headings.

Use Specific Link References
It's more efficient to highlight keywords in your text, rather than using words like "this" or "click here" as links to other pages. It's generally more efficient to embed a link within a sentence than to provide a description of a link with a click here link. Keyword links are also more explicit about where the link is taking the user.

Use Familiar Terminology
It's very tempting to use the words that you're familiar with when you're developing Web pages or elements on the screen. However, it's best to use terms that your users are familiar with and that are consistent. For example, don't use technical jargon or computer science terminology unless that's your intended audience.

Label Human Interface Elements Clearly
Make labels for interface elements easy to understand. When you write labels for screen elements, speak in the user's language. Be as specific as possible in your labels or names for forms such as radio buttons, push buttons, and checkboxes. It can be difficult to name a particular action or option in a word or two, but it's important to be concise and clear. In any case, don't sacrifice clarity for space.

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Prepared for Making Christ Known Conference November 22, 1997
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