Web site design and organization impacts usability, legibility, and comprehension. Key factors of site design and structurre include page layout and color, graphic elements, typography and factors in site organization include structure, navigation and search.

PAGE LAYOUT & COLOR

Web site developers are often asked to be graphic designers.  Thus, a Web developer must have some knowledge of typography, color, and photography.  A Web designer must also know the limitations of displaying information in a low-resolution format and how this inevitably affects color, and legibility.

Page layout is the combination of many existing components but it is the sum of the combined parts words and images. The choice of imagery in the context of words, displayed in a specific arrangement on a page (virtual or multi-dimensional) is the creative part of site development.

From the Grandfather of color theory, Josef Albers:

Color is the most relative medium in art…In order to use color effectively it is necessary to recognize that color deceives continually...…If one says ‘Red’ (the name of a color) and there are 50 people listening, it can be expected that there will be 50 reds in their minds.”

GRAPHIC ELEMENTS

Graphics commonly include photos, illustrations, charts and graphs. Legibility of graphics is often a challenge because of the low resolution requirement for images. A few graphics tips include: enter alternate text tags for all graphics. If your graphic does not load properly, at least the reader will have an idea of what is supposed to display. Alt tags also allow those with disabilities to have a written reference about the images displayed.  

Photos are one of the most common graphic elements displayed on sites. There are many different methods for compressing photos for the Web but the most-used method is JPEG. A sample site to view portfolios of photographic images (most of which are copyright-protected), see usefilm.com. For more information about copyright issues, see the Library of Congress handbook.

TYPOGRAPHY

Typographic choices impact legibility and are an important part of any visual identity, online and in print. A few font tips include: avoid all caps. The equal height, volume and width of all capital or uppercase letters, makes it difficult for the reader to distinguish one letter from another.

STRUCTURE, NAVIGATION & SEARCH

Structure: This is commonly referred to as Information Architecture. This is the behind-the-scenes organization of content, folders, files and linking information.

Navigation: This is the way-finding of web sites that provides the user with a method of moving (linking) within pages and to other pages. It often involves anticipating where users would like to go and allowing them several different options to get there.

Search: As larger sites are increasingly complex, offering several search options is very important. These search options typically involve key word inquiries, and browsing lists that may be organized in order of importance or alphabetically.

ANALYSIS OF SITE DESIGN & CONTENT

How sites are evaluated depends upon many factors, including overall design, accuracy of content, structure and organization. The following document (PDF) is designed to provide evlauators with an easy checklist to use when reviewing sites.
Web Site Evaluation Form - For educators analyzing site content.

REFERENCES

Structure: Information Architecture for the World Wide Web: Designing Large-Scale Web Sites, by Morville and Rosenfeld. This publication is one of the best references on site organization. Also see http://semanticstudios.com
User Needs: Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity, by Jakob Nielson. Nielson is one of the leading authorities on usability and user needs, also see useit.com
Typography: Designing with Type: A Basic Course in Typography, by James Craig. This publication is a great reference on font families and typography basics (may not be in print but it may be at your local library).
Accessibility: Information about designing sites to be available for everyone, regardless of physical limitations (e.g., blindness low vision), see section 508
Accessibility Guidelines: World Wide Web Consortium, see W3C