Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

For main body copy make sure you’re using an appropriate line-height. “Appropriate” is a relative term. Here is a good resource: http://www.pearsonified.com/2011/12/golden-ratio-typography.php

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

If you have to label something as “Quick” it probably isn’t.

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

Consistency matters. When a user starts browsing a website they are really looking for trust. If all of a sudden they land on a part of the site that has a different style they have to re-learn to trust the quality of the content. Trust isn’t automatic, you have to earn it. Make it easy on yourself and your users, don’t force them to continuously regain your trust.

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

Don’t try to re-invent the wheel, there are a lot of user constructs already in place on the web and you should rely on them. Using a standard link style, move effect or way to share content builds familiarity for your user and confidence so they know what to expect. The more confident your user is the more likely it is for them to take action.

Show Notes

• CeciliaDeNardis.com

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

The higher your social media icons are on your page doesn’t mean more people will click on them. We are beyond the time of wondering if a company/institution is on social media. We now expect it.

Show Notes

• Suggest a website for public review
• Request a private review

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

Text in images without appropriate alternate text is like trying to read a book printed with invisible link. It’s not going to help you to exclude the population without the decoder glasses.

Show Notes

• RecoVend

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

If the “website feedback” button is more prominent than your apply button, you’re doing something wrong.

Show Notes

• Higher Ed Live

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

A favicon is a commonly overlooked element of any Web page. It may be something small but when someone has 25 tabs open it quickly allows them to identify and make a connection with your institution.

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

If you are planning to use typeface replacement always make sure you choose an appropriate font stack. This will allow users without javascript to be able to see a similar font that is as close as possible to the desired typeface. It also will decrease the amount of change the user sees when the font replacement happens. It won’t look like a drastic change, but a slight improvement instead.

Show Notes:

• The .eduGuru Summit 2012 – The Online, Live Conference for Higher Ed Marketing, Communications Pros

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

Breadcrumbs are not meant to be primary user navigation. Breadcrumbs are a trail of where you have been and meant to orient a visitor who landed on an interior page.

Show Notes:

• The .eduGuru Summit 2012 – The Online, Live Conference for Higher Ed Marketing, Communications Pros

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

One of the best and cheapest ways to get insights in to how visitors are interacting with a page is to install heat mapping software on the page. Using a tool like CrazyEgg will show how much people scroll and where people click even if the clicks are not on links. These are two things Google Analytics can’t show you.

Show Notes:

• The .eduGuru Summit 2012 – The Online, Live Conference for Higher Ed Marketing, Communications Pros

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

Everything on your website matters, even the elements under the hood. A beautiful inside inspires a beautiful outside. Neglecting the code of your website may can impact the long tail visibility of your pages.

Show Notes:

• EDUniverse.org – The network for brand, Web, Tech & marketing professionals in higher education
• The .eduGuru Summit 2012 – The Online, Live Conference for Higher Ed Marketing, Communications Pros

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

Hover states on elements not only give your website a feel of texture. The feedback tells the user that the element is press-able. It can also catch the users eye as they move their mouse across the site. Something they may have overlooked can jump out if there is a slight color change. One note about mobile, with touch interfaces the hover effect does not function, so make sure you have another way to denote links from non-clickable items.

Show Notes:

• The .eduGuru Summit 2012 – The Online, Live Conference for Higher Ed Marketing, Communications Pros

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

If you’re going to embed videos on your homepage or as a side promotion item within your site make sure when a visitor clicks to view the video they can watch it in an appropriate size. If you’re space is less than 400 pixel wide it is better to use a static image screenshot of your video which links to the full version than to force someone to watch it either really small or full screen. If you can employ a lightbox technique when viewing that is even better.

Show Notes:

• I’ll see you and raise you.
• The ultimate, ultra-simple, real, authentic, University website homepage wireframe concept.

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

If you are going to use photos with news items make sure the photos make an impact for your visitor. Too small and the image won’t be useful. Too big and they will take attention away from the title of the event. Creating a balance is essencial to visitor success.

Show Notes:

• EDUniverse

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

If you want to make an impact with numbers make sure they actually stand out visually. Don’t let other visual elements interfere with the impacting numbers. Specifically ordered and unordered list styles.

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

Using a grid system is a great way to keep your design organized. It takes the guessing of widths from your designers and gives the constraints they can work within. It also gives your developers a standard in which to measure everything. Having odd widths scattered throughout your website can distract your visitor from the real calls to action. Keep it simple, there is no need to reinvent the wheel every page.

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

Always be designing for the next step. Every page on your website should be designed around where the user should be going next. Dead ends mean lost opportunities. Not only with the visitors current browsing session but it cuts their experience short. You couldn’t imagine leaving a perspective student hanging on the phone, email or in person without asking if you could help them further. The same applies online.

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

When possible use the built in browser functionality. The native browser functionality is not only quicker but will work with any device that interfaces with the browser. Creating middleware with javascript to accomplish the same action could potentially lock users out of using that functionality.

Site Scores:

Today’s Tip:

Dotted underlines may look nice because they are not as jarring to the eye as straight lines but they have another quality about them you may not realize. Users have been trained to “skip” over links with dotted lines because far too often they are used to denote pop-over ads. Although they may look great on your website, their use may have a negative effect with your users.