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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Jul 1.
Published in final edited form as: Online J Commun Media Technol. 2016 Jul;6(3):1–14.

Table 2.

Definitions of Key Design Elements

Key Elements Definition
Navigation
  • Salient menu/navigation bar

  • Consistency of navigation bar

  • Aids for navigation (e.g., visible links)

  • Easy access to web pages (e.g., no excessive backtracking/clicks and reach through multiple pathways)

  • Search features

  • Users feel in control/ease of managing

Graphical Representation
  • Inclusion of images

  • Size and resolution of images

  • Multimedia content (e.g., animation or audio)

  • Color, font, and size of text

  • Distinct logos and icons

  • Visual attractiveness/layout

  • Color schemes

  • Effective use of white space/avoid visual overload

  • Minimizing loading time for visual elements

Organization
  • Cognitive mapping/architecture

  • Understandable structure

  • Logical organization

  • Hierarchical/sequencing organization

  • Systematic information arrangement and categorization

  • Consistency

  • Meaningful labels/headings/titles

  • Keywords

Content Utility
  • Sufficient amount of information to attract repeat visitors

  • Arousal/motivation (keep visitors interested and further explore the site)

  • Content quality

  • Current/up-to-date information

  • Relevant to the purpose of the website

  • Users’ needs and requirements/perceived utility

Purpose
  • Unique identity

  • Intended purpose of visiting/expectations

  • Type of interaction

  • Organizational attractiveness

  • Visible brand/contact and organization information

  • Information about service policy

Simplicity
  • Simple subject headings

  • Transparency of information (reduce search time)

  • Website design optimized for computer screens

  • Uncluttered layout

  • Consistency in design throughout the website

  • Ease of using (including first time users)

  • Minimize redundant features

  • Easily understandable features/functions

Readability
  • Easy to read

  • Well-written

  • Grammatically correct

  • Understandable

  • Appropriate amount of content on each page/readable blocks

  • Reading level appropriate content