Wednesday, 29 August 2007

Do you want to be better at Golf?

There is always room for improvement in your golf handicap, Learn How Here!!

A Desirable Silver Surfer website...........

Here are few guidelines to make your website more Silver Surfer friendly:

1. Use larger type, less content: Changes in vision can make is more difficult to read a computer screen. Reduce the amount of text on each webpage and use a medium-sized default font. Provide a way for older viewers to increase the text size. This will make it easier to read for individuals who do not see as well.

2. Make it easy to read: Use a sans-serif font that is not condensed. Avoid novelty and cursive typeface. Double space body text.

3. Design with high contrast. Avoid reversed type and patterned backgrounds. Use dark text on light backgrounds.

4. Keep terminology simple: According to recent studies by Fidelity and AARP, many senior Internet users are not familiar with commonly used Web terms. Things younger Internet users know well are a new language to older users. Avoid web jargon. Examples include: “URL,” “link,” “message board,” “emoticon,” and “IM.”

5. Be very clear: Use action-word links. Because senior users tend to be more cautious in what they do on the Internet, use link terminology that clearly explains what happens when a user clicks on the link. Explain things concisely, but thoroughly.

6. Make links straightforward: Use an obvious method of displaying links such as blue, underlined words. Make these consistent throughout your website. Give users a larger target area to click on to accommodate for users who may have fine motor coordination difficulties such as tremors.

7. Keep your site design simple and stable: If your site caters to seniors and you want to change your site, make changes slowly over time. The more success seniors have with your site and the easier it is for them to use, the more confidence and loyalty they will develop. Keep your navigation toolbar in the same place throughout your website.

8. Test your site: Before launching your site, have older adults try out your website to evaluate its accessibility, readability, and ease of use.

More and more seniors are surfing the online world. The Webmaster must offer a website that makes it easy for users. Create a comfortable online environment for your online senior visitors, and your business will reap the rewards.

Tuesday, 28 August 2007

I just found this brilliant offer and had to share it with you all
Click Here for Free Offers for the over 55's! Got to be worth a look hasn't it?

Silver Surfers in the persuit of knowledge

Wired seniors are often as enthusiastic as younger users in the major activities that define online life such as email and the use of search engines to answer a specific question, They are as likely as younger users to go online on a typical day. Communication and information searches attract wired seniors and there has been sharp growth in the number doing key Internet activities such as health searches, e-shopping and online banking."

As people age, they are more likely to have usability issues. For example, more seniors have myopia, cataracts, fine motor disabilities, and short-term memory decreases. Therefore, if you are targeting this demographic, it is important to take specific steps to modify your website appropriately. Don’t make it difficult for your senior visitors to find what they need on your website.

Silver surfers online

Of senior citizens with internet access, 69% go online on a typical day, compared with only 56% of all Internet users. Silver surfers report using the Internet to stay in touch with family and friends, using e-mail or sending online greeting cards. Seniors report several other key reasons for using the Internet, including:

* To stay current with news and events
* To look up health or medical information
* To research products or services to purchase offline
* To make online shopping purchases
* To research and/or check on stocks or investments

Silver Surfers-Surf Attack

According to recent Surveys, there are about 8 million Silver Surfers (22% of Americans) aged 65 or older using the Internet.
Around 58% of Americans ages 50 to 64 say they surf the Net, interesting facts huh!!.