Newsletter issue #22 - 3rd January 2006
This issue
Hello and welcome to the January edition of the Webcredible newsletter!
In this issue:
- Feature article: Web acessibility & learning difficulties
- Top tip: Prove you really exist!
- Useful program: Web accessibility toolbar
- Top link: S5 Slide Show System
- New articles in December
- Webcredible news in December
Enjoy!
Feature article: Web acessibility & learning difficulties
When it comes to web accessibility most of the focus has traditionally been placed on blind and visually impaired site visitors. With an estimated 2million people in the UK having learning difficulties though, we explore why and how you should make your site accessible to this group of users in this month's feature article.
Read this article in full at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/web-accessibility/learning-difficulties.shtml.
Top tip: Prove you really exist!
Anyone can put up a website promising to deliver the 'best service at the lowest prices'. Unless your company is well known (e.g. IBM), web users must be able to believe that there's a real credible organisation behind your website. There are a number of ways in which you can achieve this:
- Third party endorsements The more third party endorsements you have, and the greater their credibility, the more likely it is that site visitors will trust you. Testimonials from satisfied clients are great, particularly if the client is from a large organisation. Even more credible though are third party websites which talk about your organisation and how wonderful you are. Search for these websites and link to them from your site.
- Photos of the products/people/office If users can actually see your products or services, and even better, see other people using them, they're more likely to be able to picture themselves using them. Ensure that the photos are of a high quality and show people using your product/service. If applicable, present your product from several different angles.
- Client list & case studies List (some of) your clients and what your organisation did for them, so as to prove that you've provided your services in the past. As a bonus, you'll also be giving your site visitors ideas as to how they can utilize your services/products.
- Prominent, comprehensive and friendly contact information Make it easy for people to find your contact information to prove that you do really exist, aren't afraid of people contacting you and have nothing to hide. There's also nothing worse than a surly contact page so do be sure to use friendly language on this page!
Useful program: Web accessibility toolbar
The web accessibility toolbar is perhaps the most indispensable tool out there when testing a website for accessibility. If you haven't already got the toolbar, download it and then read our article at www.webcredible.co.uk/toolbar about using this wonderful toolbar.
You can download the toolbar at www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=614.
Top link: S5 Slide Show System
The S5 Slide Show System can be used to make online slideshows, based around web standards. Best of all, it offers full accessibility to all web users.
Check out this useful information at www.meyerweb.com/eric/tools/s5/.
New articles in December
- How to improve your site search (...or 'looking for jamie oliver')
- User-centered design (UCD) - 6 methods
- Compelling headlines to improve your search engine ranking
Read these and many other articles at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources.
Webcredible news in December
- 5000 Webcredible Handbook downloads in two weeks!
- Webcredible commissioned to evaluate text-to-speech products
- Webcredible recruiting Office Administrator
- Webcredible Handbook free Christmas giveaway!
Read these news stories in full at www.webcredible.co.uk/about-us/latest-news.shtml.
Training courses
Courses continue to sell out well in advance! Our next training courses will take place in our training centre in Aldgate, London in January and March:
- Writing for the web training - Tuesday 17th January & Tuesday 14th March. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our writing for the web training page.
- Web usability training - Wednesday 18th January & Wednesday 15th March. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our web usability training page.
- Web accessibility training - Thursday 19th January & Thursday 16th March. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our web accessibility training page.
- Advanced CSS training - Friday 20th January & Friday 17th March. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our advanced CSS training page.
About Webcredible
Based in London, UK, Webcredible is a user experience consultancy. Tailor-made usability, accessibility & design solutions include:
- User-centered design
- Accessible web design
- CMS services
- Usability
- Accessibility
- Training
- Website review lite
Please contact us on 0870 242 6095 or info at webcredible.co.uk, or consult www.webcredible.co.uk for further information.