Newsletter issue #8 - 1st November 2004
This issue
Hello and welcome to the November edition of the Webcredible newsletter! We've got to start by saying a thank you to all the eagle-eyed readers out there who pointed out our mistake in the last newsletter to us, where we provided a link to iCapture instead of the CSS Zen Garden. This error was of course entirely deliberate and designed to keep you all on your toes...
In this (error-free) issue:
- Beware of opening links in a new window
- Top tip: Use sub-headings to break up text
- Useful program: Lynx browser
- Top link: HTML Dog
- New articles in October
- Webcredible news in October
Enjoy!
Feature article: Beware of opening links in a new window
Many websites open links in new windows, especially when linking to external websites. Webmasters who do so should perhaps think twice about this, as it's not always appropriate. Find out more in this month's feature article...
Read this article in full at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/web-usability/new-browser-windows.shtml.
Top tip: Use sub-headings to break up text
Any web page with more than about 250 words of content should use at least one sub-heading to break up the text. Furthermore, each sub-heading should be descriptive of the text contained beneath it. Why? Three reasons:
- Web usability Generally speaking we don't read web pages word for word from top to bottom. Rather, we scan, quickly looking for the information we're after. When we scan through a web page one of the items that stands out to us is heading text. The use of sub-headings therefore allows us to jump straight to the information we're actually looking for.
- Web accessibility Visually impaired users utilising screen readers equally don't really want to listen to the entire content on each page. Most screen readers have a function whereby you can call up a list of headings on the page and jump straight to the section containing the information you're after.
- Search engine optimisation Search engines trawl through the content on each page they index, trying to work out what the page is about. Any text contained within heading tags automatically gets assigned more importance than regular text, and helps the search engines more clearly understand what the page is about.
Useful program: Lynx browser
The Lynx browser is a text-only browser and is a fantastic tool for checking on the accessibility of any web page. It works in much the same way as any other Internet browser (such as Internet Explorer), except it doesn't have support for JavaScript, Flash, CSS or images. As such, what you see on the screen is a rough approximation as to what a screen reader user will hear when browsing the site.
You can download the Lynx browser from lynx.browser.org.
Top link: HTML Dog
HTML Dog is an excellent resource for anyone wishing to further their knowledge of HTML or CSS. It's packed with easy-to-read tutorials ranging from beginners to advanced level, so everyone should be able to learn something new here.
Check it out at www.htmldog.com.
New articles in October
- Effective site navigation
- The secret benefit of accessibility part 2: A higher search engine ranking
- Ten reasons people don't visit your website
Read these and many other articles at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources.
Webcredible news in October
- Webcredible invited to the NLB Visionary Design Awards 2004
- Webcredible in Let's Talk Business Today magazine
Read these news stories in full at www.webcredible.co.uk/about-us/latest-news.shtml.
Web accessibility training course
Our November web accessibility training course sold out so quickly that we're having to put on another course. The training, which has received remarkable feedback from participants, will take place in our training centre in Liverpool Street, London on Friday 3rd December.
To receive a £60 discount on the course, for more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our web accessibility training page.
Web accessibility & CSS support packages
We now offer a range of accessibility and CSS support packages, offering you access to one of our accessibility consultants anytime you like. Please read more about this innovative service in our web accessibility and CSS help section.
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.