Do what’s expected

Respect the user’s expectations. Follow web conventions so users know what to do without stopping to think.

Suggestions

• Be consistent and predictable.
• Reuse patterns, positions, and wording.
• Use standard UI icons and native controls.
• Follow platform and web conventions.
• Mark navigation and content areas semantically.

Resources

• Jakob’s Law (UX) – Your site isn’t special; use conventions.
• 10 Usability Heuristics – Decades of sense. Still ignored daily.
• W3C Markup Validator – Finds your HTML crimes.
• W3C ARIA Landmarks Guide – Label your layout. Stop guessing games.
• WCAG Quick Reference – The rules. You know, for humans.