HTML Style Considerations

1. Look: consistency in layout (structure, colors), create visual hierarchy, navigation.
   
   
2. Organization: naming and arrangement of files and directories, dividing large files into smaller, navigationable pieces.
   
   
3. Content: current, accurate, clear, signed, dated (Febr. 5, 2000 instead of 2/5/00).
   
   
4. Links: well named and meaningful (prevend "Click here"), lead to real content, no dead links.
   
   
5. Tags: don't overlap, proper syntax, include alt tag for images.
   
   
6. Images: don't overuse, use animated gifs sparingly, should have function.
   
   
7. Colors: don't be too colorful, use light backgrounds, dark text doesn't display well on dark background.
   
   
8. Personality: make your pages Yours! Be unique!
   
   
9. Misc: ADA compliant, not browser specific, printability, download time, long-term maintenance, validation.
   
   

See also:
http://www.utexas.edu/learn/style/index.html
http://www.utexas.edu/teamweb/guidelines

Heiko Haubitz
Last updated on October 4, 2000.