Designing Web Sites for Seniors

by Jodi Bollaert
The Internet is everywhere—at work, at home, in the local library, and even many coffee shops. While the Internet is often thought of as a young person’s digital playground, the truth is that it’s become an invaluable tool for people of all ages, including a growing number of 50+ seniors. A recent article in SeniorJournal.com (May, 2006) indicates that seniors age 50 and older comprise approximately 30% of the total U.S. adult online population. That translates into about 51 million senior Internet users!

But senior Internet users aren't the same as their 20-something counterparts. In many cases, they have less Internet and computer experience, and they often have vision impairments. Since senior Internet users have unique needs, businesses that market their products and services online would do well to consider them.

As a business owner, how can you be sure that your web site is attractive and easy-to-use for your senior audience, thus providing a good introduction to your products and services? How can you be sure that you don’t frustrate them and turn them away?

Not to worry. There are several ways you can make your web site senior-friendly and easy to use:

1. Use large, high-contrast, sans serif fonts (non-decorative) on a light, pattern-free background. This helps people with visual difficulties read more easily.

Sans Serif versus Serif Fonts


2. Allow users to increase the default text size, if needed, through their browser or a visible text enlarger. Think of large-print books. There’s a reason why seniors love them—they can actually read them! Prestige Care, Inc., a long-term care organization based in Vancouver, Washington, makes a text enlarger tool available on their home page.

Prestige Care Text Enlarger


3. Make sure your HOME page clearly communicates who you are and what you do best. Don’t save this important information for a secondary page!

4. Use a SIMPLE, intuitive page layout. Web design shouldn’t be an art contest. Minimizing clutter helps important information stand out more clearly.

5. Use a shallow, easy-to-understand navigation scheme. Make sure users understand what’s on each page and where they are on the site using obvious visual navigation cues like breadcrumbs. Don’t let them get lost. They won’t ask for directions; they’ll just give up in frustration and leave.

Breadcrumb Trail


6. Use big image links that are easy to click on. Avoid using drop-down or moving menus that hide navigation options and require extra clicks. Fine motor skills often decline with age; what’s easy for a 25 year old might not be for his grandfather.

7. Write for the Web. Use plain language and concise text. Enough said.

8. Avoid color combinations of blue, green, and yellow. Older people whose visual acuity has diminished often find these colors hard to distinguish.

9. Use a few relevant images when appropriate. Older users are often still using dial-up connections. Large images = slow downloading. No one wants to wait five minutes for your web site to download.

10. Use common colors for unvisited (blue) and visited (purple) text links. These web standards make your site more predictable—and more trustworthy—to all users.

11. Make contact information easy to find. Be sure to include your telephone number and a prominent email link on your contact page, or perhaps every page on your site in a consistent location.

12. Give people a reason to come back to your site. Provide useful, relevant information and update it regularly.

13. Talk to your senior users! Ask them what they like and don’t like about your web site. Find out how what information they most often seek and where they expect to find it. Ideally, you should also observe how they use your web site. The more time you spend getting to know your users and creating a web site that meets their needs, the more successful it will be.

The bottom line is that taking good online care of your senior web site visitors makes good business sense. And, as a bonus, when you make your web site easier for seniors, it’s also easier for everyone else. Truly a win-win proposition!

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