To enhance website usability; we have listed below, a few of the advantages of using frames in web development.
The disadvantages of using frames were emphasized in Part 1, however there are also some advantages for using frames in website development.
Many developers still use frames in their websites for the reasons listed below.
Designing Ease:
Web developers use frames in their websites to make their job easier.
A developer can place the logo, and the navigation menu in a single frame, so it then becomes unnecessary to re copy the information, to every page of the website he is developing.
Frames that contain this, or other duplicate information, do not need to be copied every time a user clicks a fresh page on the website. Frames are a real time saver for web developers.
Browsing Flexibility:
Web surfers can view several mini-browsers at the same time, when frames are used.
More work can be accomplished, and more information can be accessed, from a single viewing of the web page.
A framed web page provides maximum website usability, and flexibility for web surfers.
Faster Downloading:
Different website contents, do not need to be downloaded every time a click is made, when frames are used. Contents that should be re-downloaded, don’t have to be, because they are contained in another different frame. This cuts download time and makes downloading easier.
The advantages of using frames, to enhance website usability for the developer, are primarily speed, and ease of construction.
There will always be a use for frames in website development.
Website usability, has become an issue in the construction of web sites, and is based on the premise, that Internet access must be easily available to everyone, including the impaired and disabled.
In the United States alone; approximately 20 percent of the population is impaired in some way, or disabled.
Because the internet has become the primary medium for communications, social interactions, exchanges of information and conducting business; it has become necessary for everyone to have easy access to this information, especially individuals who are in some manner, impaired or disabled.
This is why website usability has become such an important issue in web development.
One of the ways website usability can be improved, is by the use of frames.
Developers ultimately aim to make their websites easier for everyone to use regardless of whether or not frames are used.
Frames are used to segregate the browser into easily manageable sections. Each section is totally independent of all the others in the browser.
There are advantages, and disadvantages to using frames in developing a website.
In part 1, we briefly outline the disadvantages of using frames and how they can affect website usability.
General Usability:
Frames can confuse web surfers, because of the website’s structure.
Using multiple scroll bars can add to the confusion. In addition, the website contents may become inaccessible, should the web developer hide the scroll bars.
Printing Errors:
Framed web pages are sometimes very difficult to properly print. Web browsers tend to randomly select the frame that is sent to the printer.
When the reader tries to print the frame he selects, he may not get it. The computer will select the frame that is the focus of the web page.
Download Times:
Website developers use frames to cut down the time it takes to download from their sites. This can be easily done if the contents are presented in the right manner. Style sheets, images, and scripts should be cached.
Links:
Copyright and trademark infringement issues can be raised when using frames containing third party information.
Bookmarking:
Bookmarking problems can sometimes occur when frames are used.
The basic frame structure, deviates from the normally unified website structure, and can cause problems in website usability and bookmarking in particular. The users can’t mark the specific frame they want to keep.
Search Engine Indexing:
Search engine robots, sometimes have problems, indexing framed sites. The search engine spiders are drawn into what website developers call, the black hole page. This is due to the frames paradox.
Frames can be used, provided the developer is aware of the disadvantages of using them.
Website usability for the surfers should not be compromised by using frames.
One of the many factors that determine the usability of a website, is how long a web page should be.
Websites with good usability, have quality content, ease of navigation, easy accessibility, and readability.
Page length might seem like an unimportant detail, however, it is an important factor that affects the readability and ultimate usability of a website.
Page length should always be a consideration, when developing your website.
Pages visually present information to website visitors in a way that is easy on the eyes. The page should be just long enough to accommodate the information that the webmaster needs to present to the viewer.
A simple decision determines the length of the page; should it be short or long?
Since web pages are seldom uniform, the web page content and it’s purpose, determines the page length.
Consider the following:
1 – Goal of the website
When developing your website, the overall determination for web page length should be part of the planning process. Decide on the structure of web pages during site planning, not after your website has been constructed.
2 – Page content
Obviously, the content determines the length of the page. The home page is usually short, since most of the time, it simply presents an overview, or synopsis of the web site.
Information that can be scanned easily by the reader, and pages containing extended graphics, should also be short in duration.
Site maps and pages like these, must be large enough to accommodate all the information they present, therefore they must be longer in length.
3 – Scrolling of pages vs. links
Web developers must determine weather a scroll bar, or page link, should be used for content pages. The key factor in making this determination, is speed. Generally, links are used in favor of scroll bars, when speed is deemed the necessary factor.
There are many other website development methods that improve a website`s usability, and these should be integrated into your website when circumstance permits.
Web pages should always be constructed long enough to accommodate the information that its paper counterparts would easily accommodate.
