GoalUse a checklist for the qualities of a good site.
New words
mobile-friendly · easy to read and use on a small phone screenprivacy and security · keeping personal details private and protecting the site from harmconstant updating · adding and changing content regularly so the site stays alivechecklist · a list of points to tick one by one
Explanation
A good website is simple: a few clear pages and an easy menu. It works well on a phone, with letters large enough to read and buttons big enough to press. It is private and safe: no home address or phone number on a public page, a contact form instead. It is updated regularly, like a garden that needs care, so visitors see that someone looks after it. For colours, choose two or three main colours with good contrast and use clear fonts. Use this checklist on any site description: read each point and tick yes or no. Where the answer is no, write an improvement command.
Quality
Check question
simple
few pages, easy menu?
mobile-friendly
large letters, big buttons?
private and safe
no phone, no address, a contact form?
updated
new content added regularly?
good colours
two or three colours, strong contrast?
Worked examples
Check
Result
simple?
no: twelve buttons
mobile-friendly?
no: tiny letters
private and safe?
no: a phone number
updated?
no: last news is old
An invented site description: “Our Chess Club page has twelve menu buttons, tiny grey letters on white, a phone number at the bottom, and the last news is from last year.” The checklist shows four problems: not simple, hard to read on a phone, not private, not updated.
find the problem→write a command→check the result→tick the checklist
The group fixes the problems with commands: “Reduce the menu to five buttons.” “Make the letters larger and darker.” “Remove the phone number and add a contact form.” “Add this month’s news.” Each command answers one check.
Class activity
Make your own checklist card with the five qualities. Then invent a short description of a site with at least three problems, swap with a classmate, and let them tick the checklist and write one improvement command for each problem found.
Practice
1
Name three qualities of a good site.
For example simple, mobile-friendly, private and safe (also updated, good colours).
2
Why should a site be updated regularly?
So visitors see that it is alive and cared for, like a garden.
3
What goes on a public page instead of a phone number?
A contact form.
4
A page has tiny grey letters on white. Which quality is missing?
Good contrast and mobile-friendliness (easy reading).
