3: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Page Performance in Java

Generating PDF417 in Java 3: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Page Performance

Help and feedback sections, perhaps with message forums to let users and experts interact A set of tools to expedite returns and exchanges When you establish goals for your site, you can identify those elements best suited for inclusion, such as A navigation system, such as a site map, navigation menu, or breadcrumbs to identify major areas of the site, to help users Quickly identify what part of the site they re in Move from one part of the site to others without getting lost A set of standard design elements, such as buttons, page-title styles, and color specifications, to keep users oriented while they move from page to page on the same site A standard display for catalog items, including product-related information, such as product images and descriptions, prices, and availability data Well-designed forms to help users find products in the catalog, put items in their shopping carts and purchase them, request a refund or return an item, and submit comments to the site Pages that explain purchasing options, product returns, and other helpful information but are still easy to read and to navigate Your site s goals should dictate your site s UI elements When you add to an existing site, identify UI elements that Meet the goals of the new section of the site Complement the overall site UI design Design Organization

This chapter recommends good design principles, but it s up to you to choose color schemes and the overall look and feel for your site What looks great to one person may be ugly to someone else

A site built for a business, which provides a first impression for potential customers or clients, should reflect your business style If you run an architecture firm, for example, strong lines and a clean look may be the best way to present the company image If you run a flower shop, your site may be a bit more organic (okay, flowery) and decorated to remind visitors what to expect when they walk into your store If you re new to Web design or graphics and you need a site that stamps your business presence on the Web, consider getting help from a Web design professional Use the images, layouts, and navigational aids he creates to build and manage the site yourself Once established, a distinctive and consistent look and feel for a site is easy to maintain Regardless of who designs your site, take the time to get critiques from peers, friends, family members, and anyone else who is willing to be honest about how good (and even how bad) it looks A negative-but-constructive critique from someone who knows and respects you beats a Gee, that s ugly from someone whose business you are trying to acquire Plus, it s always less stressful to get beat up in private than to take a licking in public!

It s easier to get where you re going if you know how to get there Mapping your Web site can be a vital step in planning and later running that site This process involves two creative phases: Creating a visual guide on paper or electronically that you can use to guide the development of your site Creating a visual guide on your Web site to help visitors find their way around after it s up and running Both have a place in good UI design, so each gets its own section

A site map is a supplemental navigational tool to give users a different way to find what they seek A site map lays out all contents of your site so visitors can see all their options at once When you create and use a site map during the development of a Web site even a Web site that includes only a few pages you can identify