When I begin to design Web sites for my clients, I ask them to clearly define the audience and the purpose of their Web site. The purpose of a Web site should match the interest of the audience. A reader is someone who surfs the Web to read articles such as this one. There are many of us who read the newspaper on line. A user is someone who uses the Web as a tool.
Students use the Web to do their homework.
Others use the Web to plan a vacation, to look up stock market information, or perhaps to make a purchase on line. A viewer is someone who wants to be entertained while surfing the Web. Interactive Web sites featuring games or short movies are designed for viewers. The type of audience will determine how to design the Web site. Here are some general guidelines.