IBM Ease of Use Site: Web Design Guidelines 
http://stage.www.ibm.com/ibm/easy/frames.htm 

Web Design Guidelines 
   I.  Introduction 
      Welcome: Site’s purpose--making your website attractive, effective, easy to use 
      Using this Site: Site’s organization--Planning, Design, Production, Maintenance 
      What’s new: New information on site 
   II.  Planning 
      User/Audience Analysis: Define purpose of your site, define audience, get potential user input, define hardware, software users will have. 
      Competitive Analysis: Define competitors, rate them, Analyze other media forms of your content 
      Strategy: Define strategy, message, tone, detail, presentation approach, plan features, set measurable goals 
      Content: Identify information, plan content with web technology in mind, format with users’ browsers, use easily identified ULRs 
      Tools: Technology used to develop site, benefits and limitations of: HTML, Frames, Cascading Style Sheets, Scripting Language, Java Applets 
      Schedule: Create schedule, follow a design process, but don’t be afraid to revisit stages of that process, Plan budget, assign team members schedule user involvement, communicate the plan with the team 
      Evolution: Stay abreast of web changes 
   III.  Design 
      Structure: User-centered structure, create a flow diagram with lists the site’s structure, organize the site’s development, list site’s elements and links, hierarchies 
      Text: Create effective headings, important information first, font, paragraph structure, test the site, provide print availability 
      Visual Layout: Allow for browser buttons, appealing style, test, keep within the organization’s design conventions, consistency, efficiency, draw attention to new/important information, avoid scroll bars 
      Navigation: Create clear links, choose icons/text for links, let users know where they are in the site, test navigation design 
      Frames: Frame placement for navigation, content, avoid scrolling 
      Video, audio, animation: Provide useful controls, inform users of size, content, create animation that enhances explanation, use repetitive loops 
   IV. Production 
      Preparation: File structuring, page templates, test site with relative links 
      Browser Compatibility: Have alternate versions to support multiple browsers, use browser sniffers 
      Creating images: Small image sizes, color safe platform, reduce image size, re-use images, resolution appropriate for users’’ monitors 
      Cascading Style Sheets: Manage site structure separate from content 
      Testing: Clear error messages, quality assurance/performance tests, copyedit, test in users environment 
      Rollout: Move site to server, keep back up 
   V. Maintenance 
      Administration: Keep users up to date on changes, maintain links, track activity 
      Advertising: Good keywords, announcements, advertise on several media 
      User Feedback: Provide ways for users to contact you, respond