Website Design Tips

DESIGNING A WEBSITE

Though website design does not play a role in getting visitors to your website, it does have importance in keeping visitors from leaving your website as soon as they arrive. Your website design and it’s appearance should be of importance to keep your visitors engaged in your subject and hopefully, result in generating income from your efforts. Plan your website design before you begin building. Put it on paper and attempt to locate a template that comes closest to meeting your needs.

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Here are some tips to help with your website design and avoid many mistakes that beginners make.

1) No flash pages (also known as “splash”)

Flash pages are usually introductory pages that appear before actually entering a website. Flash pages use are created and installed to a website  to entertain the visitor with elaborate animations, or pop-up photos, often with music or sound effects. At the conclusion they may require an additional click to enter the website. They are additions that serve no purpose other than to entertain, or somehow convey the website is using the latest technology. Such pages may be entertaining the first time, but repeat visitors soon tire of it and visitors with slow connections won’t wait while the introduction flash loads, before playing. Your main goal is for a visitor to view your website and the content you are providing. You don’t want to lose a single visitor for any reason, and this is almost impossible if you are using flash pages that require loading time.

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2) Mix text and banner advertisement when possible.

Banners do convert, but should only be used if they directly relate to the subject being discussed and should be used sparingly if it isn’t directly related to the topic. The best way to integrate links into your web page is by linking the text, highlighting the word that indicates where the linked text will send the visitor to. If your visitor has an interest in the linked word, the results of using that link are significantly higher.

3) Provide a simple navigation menu.

Main navigation links should be placed in an area and clearly indicate the main topic.  A complicated navigation menu including those that use multiple drop-down menus may cause visitors to leave your site. A site map that will help visitors find what seek is advised if you are unable to provide a link to a page that displays all your postings on any subject matter you add to your website.

4) Be sure your website has a “HOME” link.

When a visitor looks at a different page they may have seen another subject on the home page that they intend to look at next. Often, a visitor will not bother hitting the back button of their browser to return to the home page. This is especially true if they are surfing your website. A “HOME” link easily takes them back to your landing page and lets them begin surfing your website again. Be vigilant in ensuring every page has its own title so that the visitor knows they have arrived where they intended to be and that all pages are properly linked to the correct target page. If a visitor feels confused, or believes you are misdirecting them, they will leave!

5) Use audio and video wisely.

Keep it short, or clearly provide the visitor with controls to turn it off or volume controls. A visitor reading your content will eventually become annoyed by some audio looping over and over again on your website. Even the most beautiful of music will become annoying if the same tune never ends. Also, every visitor may not appreciate your music selection. Again, you don’t want to lose a single visitor!

6) Give Your Website Contrast.

Contrast your website with images, color, and font style if possible. Much of this depends on the type of website you create. Retail sites, for example, have been found to perform better with white backgrounds, dark text, and numerous pictures of the products. Information sites like this one fair better with brighter links and multiple navigation buttons and pictures, while always helpful, aren’t a priority. Websites targeting the younger crowd (pre-30′s) usually fair well with dark backgrounds and light text, or the far opposite, bright colors throughout. However, be warned that use of such color schemes is not advised unless you are only targeting the young. The eyes of older people tire quickly when viewing such color schemes. It’s the designer’s job to create the elements and appearance that adhere the user’s tastes. Know your audience and pick your images, colors and fonts wisely.

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7) Use element sections.

Websites should have blocks that separate different subject matter. This is highly important on your landing page, as it allows the visitor to easily identify your areas of discussion and locate the subject matter they seek. Failure to do so will lose you vistors quickly if you group everything into one lump text block.

Following these simple tips and those provided quarterly from Website Magazine (it is totally free and delivered to your door if you live in the U.S) will find you successful in your website venture.