Newsletter issue #14 - 2nd May 2005
This issue
Hello and welcome to the May edition of the Webcredible newsletter!
In this issue:
- Feature article: Web accessibility for screen magnifier users
- Top tip: Do keyword research
- Useful program: JAWS
- Top link: CSS browser filters
- New articles in April
- Webcredible news in April
Enjoy!
Feature article: Web accessibility for screen magnifier users
When it comes to making accessible websites, managers and developers seem to mostly focus on blind users. The needs of partially sighted users, many of whom use screen magnifiers, can often be overlooked. To remedy this, we've put together a list of some of the things you can do to increase accessibility and usability for these users.
Read this article in full at http://www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/web-accessibility/screen-magnifiers.shtml.
Top tip: Do keyword research
Before building a website, one of the most important (and all too frequently overlooked) tasks is conducting keyword research. Tools such as Wordtracker and the Overture Search Suggestion will help you find the keywords that web users are searching for in the search engines. This is beneficial for a number of reasons:
- Higher search engine ranking If your web pages are optimised around the words and phrases for which web users are searching, they're more likely to appear higher in the search results. If you sell widgets and optimise your website around the phrase ‘Sell widgets’, then your site will get nowhere if web users are searching for ‘Buy widgets’.
- Increased usability Using the words and phrases which site visitors are using in the search engines means that your site is effectively speaking the language of your site visitors. It therefore makes it easy for them to quickly locate the information they're after as they'll be looking for the same words they searched for in the search engines.
- Enhanced credibility Again, by using the words and phrases site visitors are searching for, you'll effectively be speaking the same language which can make them feel like you understand them. This can lead to an increase in the level of trust between you and your site visitors.
Useful program: JAWS
JAWS is a screen reader that reads aloud the page content of web pages to visually impaired web users. It's widely regarded as the most popular screen reader on the market and at upward of $895 for the software, is rather expensive. You can however download a free trial version that works for 40 minutes before timing out. You'll then have to restart your computer to use it again.
You can use download this popular software at www.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/jaws-downloads.asp.
Top link: CSS browser filters
This CSS browser filters page is incredibly useful for anyone using CSS to layout and present their website. The page has a table showing which browsers support which CSS rules - very useful given the different support for CSS offered by different browsers!
Check the table out at www.dithered.com/css_filters/css_only.
New articles in April
Read these and many other articles at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources.
Webcredible news in April
- Yet more training dates announced!
- May CSS training course dates announced
- Webcredible interviewed by Red World
Read these news stories in full at www.webcredible.co.uk/about-us/latest-news.shtml.
We are recruiting!
Due to continued growth, Webcredible currently has a vacancy for a Senior Usability Consultant, which we're looking to fill very soon. If you have exceptional communication skills and a strong desire to develop yourself we want to hear from you now! Please read all about our usability job vacancy for further information and details on how to apply.
Training courses
Courses continue to sell out very quickly! Our next courses with available places will take place in our training centre in Aldgate, London in late May:
- Web accessibility training - Monday 23rd May. 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.
- Advanced CSS training - Friday 27th May. To receive a £60 discount on the course, for more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our advanced CSS 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 research
- User-centered design
- Accessible CSS web design
- Training courses & support
- Website reviews
- Usability lab hire
Please contact us on 020 7423 6320 or info at webcredible.co.uk, or consult www.webcredible.co.uk for further information.
