How to Fix the 25 Most Common Library Website Problems (August 2018)
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This document outlines 25 common problems found on library websites and provides suggestions for how to fix them. The problems are organized into four categories: missing but not forgotten, everybody else got the memo, search headaches, and major league problems. Suggested fixes range from simple changes that require basic HTML/CSS knowledge to more complex issues that require professional help to address properly. The overall goal is to evaluate a library's website and identify ways to improve the user experience and accessibility.
How to Fix the 25 Most Common Library Website Problems (August 2018)
- 1. 25 PROBLEMS ON LIBRARY WEBSITES (AND HOW TO FIX THEM) #libsite25 Laura Solomon @laurasolomon laura@designforthelittleguy.com
- 3. Humor, you haz it?
- 4. ANECDOTES
- 6. Laura’s Incredibly Subjective Complexity Scale* EASY No big deal MEH Might need some HTML/CSS knowledge OY Get a pro *NOT PROPORTIONAL
- 7. Agenda •Missing but not forgotten •Everybody else got the memo •Search headaches •A major league you don’t want to be in #libsite25
- 8. MISSINGBUT NOT FORGOTTEN #libsite25 Laura Solomon @laurasolomon laura@designforthelittleguy.com
- 11. Add board member names to your library’s website. Contact info and/or photos are nice but optional.
- 12. #24 No phone and/or address on homepage
- 13. Add the address and main phone number to the homepage, either in the header or footer. You may need some basic HTML/CSS to shift things around to these elements.
- 14. #23 No hours or hours link on homepage
- 15. Add the hours, either in full or as a conspicuous link. You may need some basic HTML/CSS to shift things around to this element.
- 18. Create a custom favicon. You may need some basic HTML/CSS to add the metatag for element. You may need basic graphic design skills to create the image.
- 21. If you’re not using a content management system with this feature built in, you’re going to need a professional. To create breadcrumb trails dynamically, you’ll need someone to write some serious code.
- 22. EVERYBODY ELSE GOT THE MEMO #libsite25 Laura Solomon @laurasolomon laura@designforthelittleguy.com
- 23. #20 Using images as text
- 24. Replace images of text with actual text. You may need some basic HTML/CSS to insert, position and the text.
- 25. #19 Logos that don’t link to home
- 26. Make your library’s logo a link to the homepage. You may need some basic HTML to add a link to your library’s logo.
- 27. WARNING THE FOLLOWING MAY BE DISTURBING FOR SOME AUDIENCES. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
- 29. Do you really need ALL of those logos? Evaluate carefully. You may need some basic HTML to remove these and/or add some descriptive annotations.
- 30. Clip art #17
- 31. Stop using clip art. Even stock photography is a step up. But evaluate whether or an added graphic really adds value, or just is a cutsey-add-on.
- 33. Change the wording to intuitive terms. People are task-driven on the web. See the webinar handout for more info on better terms to use.
- 35. Look, I know you won’t get rid of it, no matter what the data says. At least make sure that the images have alternative text and that the carousel doesn’t auto-rotate.
- 36. #14 Fonts under 16 px
- 37. Make all text at least 16 pixels. You may need some basic CSS to change font sizes.
- 39. Just stop doing this! You’re slowing your library’s site down, making it more inaccessible to handicapped users and costing people more money on mobile.
- 41. Get rid of the staff login link. Buy a simple domain for your library’s intranet, have staff bookmark it, whatever it takes. Get it off the site.
- 43. Remove widgets that don’t provide real value to your patrons. You may need some basic HTML to remove these kinds of items.
- 44. SEARCH HEADACHES #libsite25 Laura Solomon @laurasolomon laura@designforthelittleguy.com
- 45. #10 No search at all
- 48. #8 More than one search
- 50. #6 Search in the wrong place
- 51. Chances are good that your library’s search feature has more than one of these issues. Most of these will likely require more major HTML/CSS modifications and/or back-end scripting.
- 53. #4 Poor contrast
- 54. Change the color of text and links and check with a contrast tool. You may need some basic CSS to change colors of text/link elements.
- 55. MAJOR LEAGUE PROBLEMS #libsite25 Laura Solomon @laurasolomon laura@designforthelittleguy.com
- 56. #3 Poor speed
- 58. There are so many different things that can cause a slow site. Server configuration, scripts and script placement, images and many more. Get a pro.
- 60. Interpreting and correcting accessibility issues can be a major undertaking. Remember, Section 508 compliance is the bare minimum Get a pro.
- 63. This may likely require completely rebuilding your website…but it will be worth it! Consider using a CMS that has responsiveness built in, or a professional.
- 64. We know…
- 65. QUESTIONS? http://designforthelittleguy.com/libsite25.pdf Laura Solomon @laurasolomon laura@designforthelittleguy.com
Editor's Notes
- #2: Please save questions until the end!