In this article, I would like to share some hints how to make your site valuable to your readers.
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Know and keep your audience in mind when you write. If your Web pages are frequented by people with slower modems then designing a page that looks best over a T1 is not a successful strategy.
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Keep your page short. If you minimize the scrolling, chances are, your readers will get your message. A good screen size is 640 pixels wide by 480 tall.
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Use tables of contents. According to Jakob Nielsen only 10% of users will scroll beyond the first screen of text. If that first screen has a table of contents viewers will click on the links to the explanatory text.
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Keep images small. Large images annoy people. If it takes too long to download, many people will never see it, as they will have browsed somewhere.
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Use web colors. The browser-safe color palette will ensure that most people will see your page and images in the colors you intended.
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Avoid lots of text. People don't read the web, they skim it.
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Check your spelling. Use a spell checker, either in your editor or on-line.
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Keep links current. Check your links often to make sure they are still valid. Using a link checker speeds up pages with many links.
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Annotate your links. If a page is good enough to link to, then it's good enough to explain why you like it.
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Put contact information on your pages. The Web is interactive and dynamic, and you should welcome comments on your pages. Also, if there is a broken link or other problem, your readers can let you know, easily.
There aren't any magic pills to create a great Web page that everyone will visit again and again, but if you follow these ten tips your site will be more popular and easier for people to read.
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