Few Important Aspects of Website Development

Posted on June 23rd, 2010
A blog post by DN (No Comments)

Five Things to Consider When Expanding Your Site to A Number of Different Languages

The Internet is inherently global. Information made available via the cyberspace will be accessible to those who speak different languages and live in different country. Many site owners expand their sites into a number of different languages to reach people from different cultural background. Consequently, the basic issues involved in creating software for global audiences also apply when developing a site for a narrower user group. At the same time, it’s critical to acknowledge that a truly effective solution require more than just translating texts. These issues must also be considered when converting a site to different language:

1. Text: When texts are translated to other languages, you may need special characters and you should be aware that the number of characters can increase considerably. It can affect the original interface layout and also the amount of vertical and horizontal scrolling required. Additionally, translation process can become more complicated if you use domain-specific terminology or other difficult jargons. The words order may also be different. While many languages are read from left to right, some languages use different rules. This can affect how texts are organized and how your site is developed.
2. Date, currency, time, and number formats: We commonly use the Arabic numeration system, but formats used for displaying dates, currencies, and times in some countries can differ, as do the use of commas and decimals.
3. Graphics, videos, icons, and symbols: The same graphic, video, icon, or symbol may convey fundamentally different ideas to people with different cultural and social backgrounds.  Cultural norms determine media acceptability, and content that are well-received in one culture may prove offensive or confusing in another. Any content depicting human body, gestures and religious symbols must be carefully reviewed when expanding your main site to different languages.
4. Color: Colors have unique meanings in each culture, for example, red represents happiness in China and danger or anger in the United States.
5. Metaphors: Metaphors are typically built based on a user’s preexisting experience and knowledge. Since backgrounds, expectations, and experiences differ, a metaphor that is accepted well in one society may be considered as sarcastic in another.

A basic awareness of cultural issues is important because individuals from different countries may be accessing your site. Under most conditions, English is probably the most appropriate medium for global sites. Many visitors have at least a rudimentary understanding of English, but complex syntax should be avoided and vocabulary should be limited to simple words.  Because English is often not user’s mother tongue, the overall site structure should be made more intuitive to help guide users to access the information they need.

Seven Things to Consider When Developing a Site for Users with Slow Internet Connection

Two methods can be used to minimize the effects of slow Internet connection on users’ side. The first is by reducing the size of the information users need to download. The second is to design the site such that it can be displayed faster. The following guidelines are essential when designing for people with slower connections:

1. Some basics: CSS can prove useful because it reduces the amount of HTML codes used throughout the site. The use of plug-ins, applets, and files should be reduced because they may result in unacceptable delays. If users want to download large files (for example, PDF, audio/video, and Word), you should provide basic information on file size and the time needed to download the file.
2. Careful use of media: Image and video formats should be chosen wisely. Most images on the internet are represented using either the JPEG or GIF formats. Generally, the GIF format is optimized for cartoon-like images that use limited colors, while the JPEG format works great for real-life photographs. Both formats provide ways for reducing the image size. You can limit the palette size in a GIF file and reducing the compression level used for a JPEG file.  Moderate use of images and videos can immensely reduce loading time without affecting the quality of information transmitted. Consider whether you really can benefit users by displaying videos, always reuse graphics to reduce server workload and download times, and use bold colored text to replace text graphics. Providing low-resolution images that can be displayed faster is also important and you may allow users with slower connections to disable images.
3. Optimize HTML codes: Often, images are used where existing features of HTML could fulfill the same goal. For example, you may use horizontal lines or format lists to replace small graphics for bullets. Retrieving even a very small file may require establishing a network connection and bytes be transmitted. Generally, downloading a graphic requires longer time than rendering a few HTML tags.
4. Generate clean HTML codes: Eliminating redundant characters from HTML may reduce the overall file size by 20% or more. It is even more crucial when using WYSIWYG web development programs because line breaks and extra tabs are inserted to make the code more readable. These authoring tools also add many unnecessary elements (e.g., comments and software remarks).
5. Minimize delays between data transfer and display: HTML codes are rendered immediately starting after the top portion of the file arrives to the user’s device. Whenever an object (e.g., Flash animation or an image) is encountered, the file size must be determined before the download is performed. Although various ways are employed to minimize this problem (e.g., using small icons and reusing web elements), defining the width and height of an object can help solve this problem. Placing graphics at lower part of the page can allow text to be displayed first and improve user experience. If convenient, graphics can be preloaded graphics using scripts. Tables must be used cautiously because they may result in longer delays in displaying the information and frames can be troublesome because multiple web elements must be downloaded before any real information is shown to the visitor.
6. Consider the time needed to establish connections and retrieve information: Even with stay-alive connection, each file downloaded results in extra header being sent. Consequently, there are some benefits to reducing the size and number of files that need to be downloaded. At the same time, you may find that downloading multiple smaller files may prove faster than retrieving one large file. You should have a balance between the time needed to establish a new connection and the time needed to retrieve the information. If establishing connection is really slow, downloading one larger document that provides users with complete information may be more convenient. But in most cases with broadband DSL and HSDPA connections, downloading multiple smaller files may prove to be more appropriate.
7. Use parallel resources allocation: Although this isn’t always a good choice, there are times when splitting a large file into a few smaller files can prove useful. This can be helpful if the browser allows parallel download. Once a document is downloaded, sometimes several supporting subdocuments are also required. Dividing a file into several smaller documents can work well under the right conditions, as it reduces the delays of accessing the information. For example, a 200MB PSD file can be split into many files of roughly the same size. The original file, and also the divided parts are stored on many servers around the world. The parts can be downloaded simultaneously and server load can be reduced.  Certainly, the actual advantages will depend on a few factors, including the number of files referenced by the HTML code, the server performance and the speed of the quality user’s connection.

Three Important Considerations When Developing Mobile-Version for Your Site

It is becoming very common to access online content using gadgets that use small displays. PDAs, smartphones, and other handheld devices now provide fast Internet access. If users will be accessing materials using handheld devices other than a standard laptop and desktop computer, then you should accommodate their needs.  As would be expected, people tend to leave when the site is poorly displayed in the mobile device and an alternative version for mobile users is often necessary. When creating a mobile-version of your site, you should:

• Simplify the design. Clutter should be reduced, unnecessary information removed, and writing reviewed to make sure that it is concise and accurate.  Use of features that rely on high-resolution displays or consume large quantity of space should be minimized, including graphics, frames, and tables. Graphics may distort the layout in certain mobile devices, so users should be able to turn image loading off.
• Organize the information. Content in a mobile-version should be organized such that it is available without too many scrolling. If scrolling is needed, it should go at one direction (for example, vertical only) because forcing visitors to scroll both horizontally and vertically to view a Web page may result in frustration. It may be a good idea that the original page is divided into smaller pages on the mobile-version with an index and due to larger number of pages, effective navigational support is often necessary.
• When retrieving information from the Internet using a mobile device, users are likely to have certain goals. By understanding their goals, any information that will meet or at least support their goals should be formatted and delivered more effectively.

Three Things to Consider When Developing a Site for Aged People

A growing segment of modern society is aging while the information technology is becoming more pervasive. The internet can provide a wide range of benefits to older people, including increased independence, enhanced communications capabilities and of course, improved access to information.

There are two common issues that must be dealt with when developing a site for older individuals. First, they often have limited experience and knowledge using information technologies. It means that basic rules for developing a site intended for novice users can be used. Fortunately, while older users may have less experience and frequently encounter more difficulties using latest technologies, they appear to be both compliant and eager to learn. Second, the aging process can have effects in motor, cognitive, and perceptual functions.  As we build internet-based content for this growing population segment, we need to acknowledge that like any group of users, the experiences, knowledge, and skills of older individuals vary significantly. These are three things to consider when developing a site for older people:

Motor Skills

As people age, motor skills will deteriorate. Especially, response times are slower, involuntary movements (tremors) are more common; voluntary movements are harder to control, and some age-related diseases can hamper mobility (e.g., difficulty to bend fingers due to arthritis).  Consequently, older users tend to have greater difficulty using standard peripherals, including the mouse and keyboard. Examples include inadvertently pressing wrong keys and trouble with tasks that need dragging actions, double-clicking, and fine positioning using the mouse. Again, rules for individuals with physical disabilities or impairments can prove useful, for example, you should avoid complex actions (multiple key presses, dragging, and double-clicking) and use larger objects.

Cognitive Abilities

Effects of aging on cognition include difficulties with long-term memory, working and attention, and various problem-solving abilities. Further, older users generally require more time to complete common cognitive tasks. Although they shouldn’t necessarily be considered handicapped, the advices on developing sites for people with cognitive disabilities and handicaps can be used.

Perceptual Abilities

Auditory and visual capabilities tend to decline in older people. Visual acuity, color perception, the ability to adapt to varying lighting intensity and contrast sensitivity may deteriorate, while issues such as dealing with glare may become problematic for older people. Common things, including using patterned backgrounds, reading text, identifying small targets, dealing with visually complex displays and perceiving differences in colors, are all more challenging. Similarly, hearing abilities generally decline with age, make it harder to understand high pitched speech, and locating the sound source. Consequently, understanding synthesized or recorded speech may be harder, and sounds designed to attract user attention may be useless.  Recommendations for people with perceptual disabilities and handicaps, especially those with hearing impairments and low vision, are also applicable when developing sites for older users.

How to Develop a Site for People with Disabilities?

Developing a Web site for typical users is generally a good idea, but addressing the needs of special users can be tricky.  Given the complexity of disability conditions, checklist alone can’t provide complete solutions. However, the following recommendations may provide an effective starting point when you plan to develop a site for people with disabilities:

• Building a Web site for people with disabilities or impairments can be complex. But there are many opportunities to reduce the complexity involved. Options include simplifying the syntax of text and vocabulary, eliminating unnecessary textual information or graphic, simplifying images, simplifying choices, and using a standard color scheme and layout.
• People with problems in selective attention may find it hard to concentrate on the relevant information. You may help them simplifying the site design, reducing the number of web elements that compete for attention, cautious use of layout for highlighting important information, minimal use of attention-attracting graphics, adding auditory cues to highlight important elements, and you may use multisensory feedbacks when the information is particularly critical. Problems with divided attention may make it harder to perform simultaneous activities. It is a good idea to avoid situations that require users to do two or more things at once. If this can’t be avoided, you should try to enhance visual and auditory feedbacks when activities occur or important information becomes available.
• Limit the demands placed on the visitor’s working memory. You may provide tools to clearly support the user’s thought process, avoiding the use of complex and long sequences of actions, and never require visitors to remember unnecessary information when navigating and using the site
• Difficulties with navigating the site due to memory problem are worthy of a separate article. However, you should be aware that certain memory difficulties may lead to significant issues with navigating the site, which is particularly critical in the context of the Internet. Navigation should help users understand where they should go, where they are and where they have been. Using a predictable layout throughout the whole site and providing straightforward overviews that allow for quick navigation to important locations on your site can also prove practical.
• Simplifying the syntax and sentence structure was already mentioned above. You should be clear about the significance of this matter and its implications when designing the site. Simplifying the syntax and vocabulary is critical, and avoiding metaphors and jargon is also essential.
• Images can help or hinder visitors. Simple graphics that convey interesting information may be useful, whereas complex graphics will lead to utter confusion. Unneeded graphics can distract visitors with cognitive problems, especially animated graphics. Graphics accompanying text may transmit information more effectively, however textual descriptions of these images should be provided for people who have trouble understanding the images. Consider about the time needed to download graphics, and also the implications for people with visual impairments, must be considered.
• Transient information (e.g., images and audio) can result in more difficulties because people with impairments and disabilities may process information much more slowly than those without similar conditions. For instance, videos with audio should have more than volume slider; it should include rate, pitch, and settings to adjust speech appropriately to help people with hearing problems.
• Alternative interaction tools should be considered, built-in screen magnification applet and color adjustment settings. Image maps may look outdated nowadays, but it can still help people with bad eyesight.
• You should allow users to give you feedback about the site, it may useful to further improve your site and make it more useful for your selected audiences.

Six Things to Consider When Developing a Site for Children

As Internet access grows, both in houses and public facilities like libraries and schools, the Internet has become an essential technology for children. Developing sites for children can be a complicated task given the variations in both cognitive and motor skills.

Very young children now often interact with computing devices. For 2 or 3 years old children, this frequently involves looking at the screen and listening to music. With older children, interactions become more advanced. For example, a two years old can interact with computers, however their language skills, motor skills, and the ability to focus on multiple activities is minimal. With time, these skills develop and the rate at which they mature can vary significantly. As a whole, by the time children are 8 years old their motor and language skills are nearly complete, as has their multitasking ability. By the time a child reaches 12 years old, problem-solving skills are fully developed, and they can use similar web interface used by adults. Here are things to consider when developing a site for children:

1. When developing a site for children, you should consider using participatory design, technology immersion and contextual inquiry. Some common guidelines that should be applied for younger visitors include keeping the entire experience fun and informal, creating children-specific environment, avoiding unnecessary complexity, and adapt to their feelings and opinions.
2. Because cognitive skills develop with age, kids will be able to deal with more complex interface. Younger children can face difficulty when using mouse such as holding down, double-clicking, or pressing multiple keys simultaneously. They may not be able to distinguish the right mouse button from the left easily; therefore allowing right- and left-mouse buttons perform similarly may prove useful.
3. Performing a specific activity also improves with age. Cautious use of auditory and visual cues may help direct the child’s attention. Interesting animation can also prove helpful. It is important to find any inappropriately timed feedback which can distract users from the intended activities. Rewards are also useful for younger audience. Fun challenges may lure children to return to your site.
4. Reading skills should be considered when building textual information. Some suggests that children like larger fonts. However, for the youngest of children, you shouldn’t use texts; instead fill your site with large intuitive signs and attractive images.
5. Consider building a site that allows complexity to gradually increase according to the user’s age. Therefore, children can learn, get additional information, and use better functionality when necessary.  Altering the mouse cursor as it hovers over different web elements can be useful for user interactions.
6. There are some legal issues that you need to consider when developing a site for children, including privacy, age-appropriate content and parental consent.