Each home page under review is illustrated with numbered points which all have a detailed explanation (such as the URL, ALT text, graphics, headlines, redundant text, search box, etcetera).

The language is easy to understand and gets to the point: if there is something about the home page that needs improving, this book will tell you and give reasons for its decision based on the design principles.

Each home page has been broken down into a pie chart showing how the screen 'real estate' is broken into different categories. For example, how much space is devoted to adverts, browser, content, navigation, etcetera.

If you are a web designer, this book will improve the usability of your sites and prevent bad design ever reaching your potential customers.

The book is packed full of useful information, and I would not hesitate to recommend it: this book is excellent!


Easy reading, good practical advice and guidance   November 7, 2001
 36 out of 38 found this review helpful

Very easy to use practical advice about constructing a homepage. Lots of the 113 guidelines will be familiar to people who've read Designing Web Usability by Jakob Nielsen, but some are new.

The guidelines are based on the assessment of 50 homepages from the internet. Each of the homepages is shown with comments on how they might be improved. This is the sort of useful exercise you'd do if only you had the time. Thank goodness someone has done it for us.

My favourite section is the strength of recommendation against each guideline. It allows you to view quickly which are must dos, and the ones you might consider ignoring in your particular circumstances.

Look at your homepage with new eyes, I did.