While the thought of website design is spurring you on, you are also realizing just how overwhelming it will be. What you will find once you are warmed up to the subject is that it is not as tricky as it may have seemed at first. Use these basic techniques for a website that is attractive, easy to navigate and informative.
Make sure that a tagline is prominently displayed on your website. A tagline will be a motto or some statement about your business focus. A clear tagline lets the reader quickly to see what the site is about, since most people make a decision to stay or go usually within 8 seconds.
Avoid using frames on your site. While they worked well back then, they had many flaws. Frame designs make scrolling frustrating and it makes sites more difficult to bookmark. There are better ways to allow your users to browse your pages easily.
Don’t rely on JavaScript too much. While it may offer many different ways to create a more transparent and responsive website, it can pose difficulties for some visitors. Browsers upgrade to newer versions regularly. Every single visitor isn’t going to be using a more recent version of their browser. Also, some people browse with scripting turned off. Both of these factors can determine whether a user is able to access your site.
Different topics should not inhabit the same page. If your website covers a variety of different topics, put these topics on separate pages. Not only will viewers be less confused, but search engines can pick up on your site easier, which gives you a higher ranking.
Continue to improve your site’s load time whenever possible. When visitors are faced with long load times, the usually leave soon. Try reducing your number of graphics, Flash, and script on your pages, optimizing your HTML, using SSI files, using client and server caching, creating expire headings, and minimizing your JS and CSS coding.
Avoid using pop-up ads whenever possible. Generally people who use the Internet find pop-up ads annoying, so it is best to stick to more traditional ads on your website. It will end up driving visitors away instead of getting them to read and click. Keeping your site free of excessive ads will only create a better experience for the visitor.
You don’t want to utilize a counter on your site. While this used to be a way for webmasters to show off their coding skill, it now only serves to make a site look dated. This is something that is not necessary.
If you are thinking about different topics for websites, it is important that you secure a domain name for the site, immediately. Come up with something inventive, something that people will remember. However, reserve it right away, because these names go fast. A surprising number of people will eventually come up with many of the same ideas you have, so the person who nails down the name first may be the ultimate winner. It’s like we’re all connected or something.
Hosting your site yourself is not really a great idea, no matter what amount of money you’ve decided to invest in it. You should do as much of the web design work yourself as you can while allowing a reputable company to host the site. This means you can worry about your website design while the host worries about uptime and security.
Use a basic, simple layout for your website so it’s easy to change and expand. You can advance beyond the basics when you are more comfortable with the web design process.
Implement site searching abilities into your home and sub pages. A search form is critical for a site because it is user-friendly and functional, allowing a visitor to easily find information they want without leaving your site. It is pretty simple to put a site search in place. The time spent will be well worth it.
As you set up your site, remember that everyone needs to be able to view it. It’s helpful to have someone you know outside your home country who can check it out. Some content may not be displayed the same in other countries, so this is something you may want to check on.
To become great at web design, try learning all you can from various people. This helps you approach site design with a very diverse perspective.
Error Pages
Make your error pages as helpful to the viewer as possible. If the visitor gets a link that leads nowhere, ensure that you have a custom error message on the page to reduce any confusion they may have at that moment. For this reason, it is important that your error pages contain pertinent information and a link back to your website’s home page.
By now, you should realize that web design is not such a mystery after all. As you develop your skills, you will find designing becomes easier. With the advice from this article, you have what you need to start moving forward.
