Datasheet

FUTURE-PROOF WEB DESIGN
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Uncovering problems can involve as much investigation as any detective novel does.
 rowing a site into all sorts of unique situations can also help you understand what users
may be seeing on their screens and in the case of really old technology, that view can turn
a classic detective novel into a horror franchise. Methods of testing vary among develop-
ers, and you probably have your own style. Just remember that you’ll probably need to
spend a good deal of time proactively trialing out use cases.
Cultivating customer service
If you don’t have visitors to your site, it will, of course, fail. If your site isn’t accessible or
usable in its current form, you will lose visitors.  e Web is a beacon of ubiquity and uni-
versal access, and as its facilitator and representative, your job is to help ensure that this
beacon remains a reliable one over time. By empowering users with the tools they need
to engage with your site, you’re likely to see an increase in user activity. Also, if more
people can access and use your services e ectively, they’re more likely to pass the link on
to their friends.
All of this discussion centers on the importance of understanding your users and their
needs. Also, it centers on looking beyond how individual pages or page elements appear to
you and considering what such features will look like to di erent users, whether they’re
using popular tools or ones with little recognition. Your selection of features to imple-
ment will depend on necessity, so calculating your options may involve working out a
“cost versus reward” ratio, prioritizing upgrade release cycles, and keeping visitors
informed while engaging them in this process.
Note
An example of testing by necessity includes, for example, the justifi cation for
ensuring that a site works in older versions of Internet Explorer. Although we’d
happily like to see them evaporate from the earth’s atmosphere, they often stick
around for a long time!
Involving your clients in the design process has never been more important. Because their
satisfaction is central to achieving popularity and widespread use of the site, you’ll want
to take every opportunity you can to obtain meaningful feedback, useful assistance, and
potentially groundbreaking ideas.  e key to gaining useful feedback is trust. Be ready
with open ears and mind and be honest and transparent with your processes. It also pays
to thank users when they get in touch with you, even if it’s uncomplimentary.
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