I am the last person who should address the concept of a good web page design. I cringe at anything with words like design (ie., anything involving creativity). However, I do know when I don't like using certain sites because they are not very user friendly.
Things I don't like in web pages
1. Too many advertisements
2. Too many Flash moving objects
3. Links that are not intuitive
4. Sites that do not keep the information current
An example of a web site I don't like is the WHSV home page. There are too many options across the top in a random order, and all the adds and specialty links along the sides are distracting. Then the lead stories are just condensed and squeezed into the middle.
What I am looking for in a good web site
1. To the point information
2. Readability - colors that are vivid and don't blend with the background
3. Images that are relavant
One I do like is Page County Public Schools - it isn't anything flashy, but it is very user friendly. Compare it to Augusta's and you can quickly see which is easier to navigate.
A philosophy I learned as a Cub Scout leader was KISMIF - Keep it simple, make it fun!
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WGTCHR is World Geography TeaCHeR.
Whoops I screwed up the html in my comment earlier...let me try again:
I like your local examples of websites.
One question I have is, how much advertising is too much? WHSV, no doubt, is over the top. The content is completely surrounded by ads on all sides. It might be counter-productive, too, since I mentally block out all but the center part of the webpage. But what about my blog, for example? Too much, in your opinion?
And speaking of acronyms (like KISMIF), what does WGTCHR stand for?
Too many ads are definitely annoying. Portaportal, the web link organizer of choice for teachers is now full of ads if you don't have many links. Here's one of mine: http://guest.portaportal.com/kperkins
Also, not only is Augusta's site difficult to navigate, they've gone to an outside company for their website. None of those kids are Augusta County students as far as I know. Kind of cheesy in my opinion!
You make a lot of good points, particularly concerning what's wrong with many sites. I absolutely hate having to wade through multiple advertisements to get to the heart of a site.
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