We begin with essential resources: the Yale Web Style Guide and valuable advice from Jakob Nielsen of UseIt.com. In 1998, the New York Times called Nielsen the ìguru of Web usability.
Essential Resources
- Yale Web Style Guide, 2nd Edition
Developed by the Yale University Center for Advanced Instructional Media, this is perhaps the most respected and referred to guide for the entire Web site creation process, from planning to typography and multimedia. - Jakob Nielsenís "Ten Good Deeds in Web Design"
This is one of Jakob Nielsen's helpful Alertboxes at Useit.com. Scroll to the bottom of the list to find links to others. Two of the best known follow here. - "Nielsen's Top Ten Mistakes in Web Design"
From Amie's report of a guest speaker in an advertising class - Nielsen's Usability 101
This is essential reading for anyone thinking about designing or contracting for a Web site. Depending on your clientele, you may also want to look at his article on Usability for Senior Citizens. - Nielsen's Writing for the Web
Serious, research-based advice and multiple resources
Especially for Nonprofits: Services and Information Portals about Web Sites
Services
Information Portals
- GuideStar: Avoiding a Tangled Web: How to Work with a Web Site Contractor
- Network for Good: "How Do I Create A Web Site for My Organization?"
This portal page offers internal and external links to helpful materials, including how to write an RFP for a Web project. Divided into four categories: Planning, Creating, Usability, Traffic.
Design Guidelines and Tutorials
- 5 Basic Rules of Web Design
These rules come from Grantastic Designs, which is also linked in the Graphic Design section of our Web site. Use the links on this page to move back up through the site to find scores of lists, links, and guidelines. - Accessible Web Design
Resources and tutorials from the University of Washington - Colors on the Web
- Newark1 Web Design Portfolio & Guide
From a Web design firm, but with lots of valuable tips and articles - Usability.gov
An official U.S. Government Web site managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
HTML Help: Free Online Tutorials
These sites are all recommended by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois.
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