---
title: Best Practices
slug: best-practices
createdAt: 2025-08-03T23:06:33.512Z
---

### Must-Haves

- **Consistency:** Match the design to the broader Activate experience.
- **Essential Controls:**
  - **Search Bar:** Do not remove the dropdown or search button.
- **Navigation:** Keep standard entry points or provide clear alternatives for browsing and searching.

### Do’s and Don’ts

✅ Do:

- Use subtle, light-coloured backgrounds that enhance readability.
- Ensure critical navigation elements remain easily accessible.
- Test designs on multiple devices and screen sizes.

❌ Don’t:

- Use busy or complex background images—they interfere with readability.
- Apply intranet-style designs that remove key Activate components.
- Make radical changes to background colours—this can affect icons, fonts, and styling.

### Testing

- Test on multiple screen sizes using **browser developer tools** (e.g., Chrome device emulation).
- Validate designs for all user roles, not just administrators.
- Ensure that resizing and responsiveness work as expected.

### Mobile Considerations

- Desktop designs rarely translate well to mobile—simplify where possible.
- Activate supports **separate mobile home pages** for better usability.
- Use the Chrome emulator to confirm mobile performance.

### Design Process (Summary)

1. Provide templates to the customer early.
2. Customer selects a theme/template.
3. Customer suggests changes; Product Team reviews for issues.
4. Scope and document what changes will and won’t be made.
5. Obtain sign-off for design and budget.
6. Implement agreed changes.