SitePoint.com

Smarky · Dec 7, 2003, 16:48

I thought about the idea of this thread awhile ago when I wanted to critique some of my own work so I could make it better. I thought it would be a really good idea if I had a checklist of items, so maybe together we can come up with a killer list. Please feel free to add too or edit any of these.

(In no order)

- Define target browsers and test

- Test in different screen resolutions

- Turn your design into monochrome and check to see if the design still stands up. A good colour scheme really helps a site, but the design needs to stand on it's own as well.

- Make sure headings are easily identified from the main text

- Check for mixed messages, are you using blue for links but also header text?

- Check page loading time using http://Web Page Analyzer<a href="htt... Page Analyzer

- Check each page element to make sure that it has a clear reason for being there and that it goes along with the site style and purpose.

- Check site design against site purpose and mission statement. Use "profiles" of possible site visitors and check the site meets there requirements.

- Play around with the site colours in Photoshop, testing different shades to make sure you have the best working colour scheme.

Ok there are a few to get this list started!

earther · Dec 7, 2003, 17:09

Test for varying font sizes and flexibility in reduced window sizes.

ashattuc · Dec 7, 2003, 19:53

Good idea, Smarky, here's my contribution:

- Make sure you have good alt tags

- Watch 5 people using the site, if possible, and see if you can see ways to improve based on their success.

- Test all forms to make sure they redirect correctly and send to the right e-mail addresses.

- Resize your target browsers while viewing the pages and see if they resize gracefully.

- Make sure to test the entire site on the server that will be hosting it, not just on your local server.

- If possible, test on different operating systems as well as your target browsers.

I'm excited to see what everybody else has to add.

Sincerely,
Chris

vgarcia · Dec 7, 2003, 19:59

Test in a mobile phone or PDA

.
Disable Javascript.
Disable CSS.
Disable Flash.
Disable all plug-ins.

RockyShark · Dec 8, 2003, 06:03

Why hasn't anyone suggested this before???!!!

How 'bout these:

- Check each page prints okay
- Proof read each page (on paper)
- Check each page title
- Check all meta tags
- Check each image has an ALT tag
- Check all internal and external links

Smarky · Dec 8, 2003, 08:49

Once all the ideas are in, I'm gonna complie them into a nice usable checklist which I'll post here for everyone so keep the idea's coming.

mandkr67 · Dec 8, 2003, 11:06

I have such a check-list at one of my websites. Smarky, feel free to use any of the terms. This list was created by myself as an evaluation outline for an award program but never made it that far. Here's a link to the page:

http://www.eval-techs.org/tutorials.html

LiquidReflex · Dec 8, 2003, 13:01

I have a 2-page critique sheet (1 page front and back) that I created to use for handing out to focus groups and/or clients who would like to have their website evaluated. There are various aspects of design and navigation listed on the sheet in a rating format (scale of 1-5).

I put it up in PDF format at http://www.liquidreflex.com/download...ique_sheet.pdf if anyone is interested. Also, if there are some other ideas that might be a good addition to it, I'm always looking to improve it.

Dec 7, 2003, 16:48	#1
Smarky BoOm-Rocka! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: England Posts: 1,342	Self Critique checklist I thought about the idea of this thread awhile ago when I wanted to critique some of my own work so I could make it better. I thought it would be a really good idea if I had a checklist of items, so maybe together we can come up with a killer list. Please feel free to add too or edit any of these. (In no order) - Define target browsers and test - Test in different screen resolutions - Turn your design into monochrome and check to see if the design still stands up. A good colour scheme really helps a site, but the design needs to stand on it's own as well. - Make sure headings are easily identified from the main text - Check for mixed messages, are you using blue for links but also header text? - Check page loading time using http://Web Page Analyzer<a href="htt... Page Analyzer - Check each page element to make sure that it has a clear reason for being there and that it goes along with the site style and purpose. - Check site design against site purpose and mission statement. Use "profiles" of possible site visitors and check the site meets there requirements. - Play around with the site colours in Photoshop, testing different shades to make sure you have the best working colour scheme. Ok there are a few to get this list started!

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Dec 7, 2003, 17:09	#2
earther 100% Windoze-free Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ubuntuland Posts: 2,768	Test for varying font sizes and flexibility in reduced window sizes.

Dec 7, 2003, 19:53	#3
ashattuc SitePoint Evangelist Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 413	Good idea, Smarky, here's my contribution: - Make sure you have good alt tags - Watch 5 people using the site, if possible, and see if you can see ways to improve based on their success. - Test all forms to make sure they redirect correctly and send to the right e-mail addresses. - Resize your target browsers while viewing the pages and see if they resize gracefully. - Make sure to test the entire site on the server that will be hosting it, not just on your local server. - If possible, test on different operating systems as well as your target browsers. I'm excited to see what everybody else has to add. Sincerely, Chris

Dec 7, 2003, 19:59	#4
vgarcia ☆★☆★ Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: in transition Posts: 21,481	Test in a mobile phone or PDA . Disable Javascript. Disable CSS. Disable Flash. Disable all plug-ins.

Dec 8, 2003, 06:03	#5
RockyShark The knight who said ni! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rockhampton, Australia Posts: 711	Why hasn't anyone suggested this before???!!! How 'bout these: - Check each page prints okay - Proof read each page (on paper) - Check each page title - Check all meta tags - Check each image has an ALT tag - Check all internal and external links

Dec 8, 2003, 08:49	#6
Smarky BoOm-Rocka! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: England Posts: 1,342	Once all the ideas are in, I'm gonna complie them into a nice usable checklist which I'll post here for everyone so keep the idea's coming.

Dec 8, 2003, 11:06	#7
mandkr67 Maybe Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: USA Posts: 269	I have such a check-list at one of my websites. Smarky, feel free to use any of the terms. This list was created by myself as an evaluation outline for an award program but never made it that far. Here's a link to the page: http://www.eval-techs.org/tutorials.html

Dec 8, 2003, 13:01	#8
LiquidReflex SitePoint Wizard Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,795	I have a 2-page critique sheet (1 page front and back) that I created to use for handing out to focus groups and/or clients who would like to have their website evaluated. There are various aspects of design and navigation listed on the sheet in a rating format (scale of 1-5). I put it up in PDF format at http://www.liquidreflex.com/download...ique_sheet.pdf if anyone is interested. Also, if there are some other ideas that might be a good addition to it, I'm always looking to improve it.