Rareheron Resources
Rareheron Tips
Whether you choose Rareheron or not, here are some tips to help you organize your thoughts before you talk with your Web site designer (each tip opens in its own browser window):
- What other Web sites do you or don't you like?
- How would you characterize your audience?
- Will your site be solely informational or do you plan to sell products or services?
- If you were looking for your site on the Web how would you search for it?
- Why should your Web site be "accessible"?
- What makes a Web site "usable"?
Links to selected Web sites
Accessibilty
- Section 508
Section 508 requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities. - World Wide
Web Consortium's (W3C) Web
Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
WAI, in coordination with organizations around the world, pursues accessibility of the Web through technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development.
Ecommerce
- Beginner's guide
to ecommerce (pdf)
A great introduction and overview to what's involved in selling something on your Web site. - PayPal
PayPal lets anybody with an email address securely, easily and quickly send and receive payments online. - VeriSign
SSL certificates and online payment processing for more robust ecommerce Web sites. SSL certificates also available from Thawte.
Search engines
- Search Engine Watch
Search Engine Watch provides tips and information about searching the Web, analysis of the search engine industry and help to site owners trying to improve their ability to be found in search engines. - Market Position
This Web site offers information on search engine marketing. Its free MarketPosition newsletter specializes in search engine positioning.
Usability
- Don't make me think: a common sense approach
to Web usability, by
Steve Krug. New Riders Publishing, 2000.
This is a great book for people who suddenly find themselves in charge of their organization's Web site but can't afford to hire a usability expert. - Experience
Dyanamics
Experience Dynamics hosts a team of usability professionals in Portland, Oregon, who volunteer their time once a month to provide complementary Web site usability feedback to selected local businesses. - Jakob
Nielsen's useit.com
Some people agree with him, others don't. But Jakob Nielsen has been studying and writing about Web usability since 1995 and his Web site is worth a look.


