So much life takes place online nowadays, and a great website is a must. If you are ready to create a great site, continue reading.
Your site should be able to pass a NoScript test. See if the website is readable. Some ordering systems or other types of content cannot run script-free, but if the site is blank without the script on, that’s not good.
Speed is vital when it comes to the Internet; therefore, you should ensure that your pages load really fast. You cannot expect much patience from your visitors. If they are stuck looking at an incomplete page for minutes on end while your content loads, they are quite likely to close your site and find what they’re looking for elsewhere.
You must create a website that is easily navigable to attract and keep traffic. You should have links that are easy to find, as well as displayed well. Menus are another way to make site navigation easier on your site. To help visitors find their way back, be sure to have a visible link to the main page on all your pages.
A good website should display and function in any type of web browser, so it is vital that you test your website in every browser currently on the market. What may work great in Firefox, may not work well in Internet Explorer or Chrome. Test how your pages display with all major browsers prior to launch.
Broken Links
Always double check pages for broken links before publishing a page. Nothing is more frustrating to a visitor than clicking on a link and being taken to an error page. Use a program or check links manually to be sure you have no broken links on your site.
Make sure your visitors can search for content on your website. A search box is essential. When there isn’t one available, they may just decide to try another site where they can find that information. Put the search box near the top right side of the page, since that tends to be common.
Use a well known software program that is known for getting the job done to help create a professional looking website. Using a program like Photoshop can help amateur web designers create professional looking sites really fast. Not having this software can lead to a design which looks amateurish and untrusthworthy.
When you are choosing your background color, white is an effective choice. White backgrounds make your content easier to read, and give your website a more trustworthy feel if you want a professional look. Complex backgrounds distract your readers and visitors, and might slant your page towards an unprofessional image. When it comes to backgrounds, simpler is generally better.
Avoid using pop-up ads whenever possible. A big part of web design is definitely integrating PPC ads to earn a few bucks, but having ads that pop-up and obstruct your visitors’ view is just annoying. People will avoid your site. Banner and text ads are a tasteful way to monetize your site.
Make sure your first page is simple. People shopping around will immediately decide whether they will use your site or not, simply by how your front page looks. Describe your business and offerings but minimize distractions on the page.
Use graphics to increase the entertainment value of your website. Make your website less boring by wrapping text around your added graphics. Interesting and creative looking content intrigues people and makes them want more.
On every page, be sure that you include a tagline that is clearly visible. These taglines should be in text that is large and bold so that they are the first thing a viewer will notice when he or she follows your links. A good tagline should inform your visitors about the goals of your website and encourage them to read the content.
Ask somebody to test the functions of your website at every step of your design process. Every time you make a change, a neutral viewer should give you their opinion. Things that may seem inconsequential to you, such as graphics that load slowly, may appear to be major obstacles to other people. Make certain you are constant in your search for second opinions.
When designing a large website, include the ability to search throughout the site. The best place to put your search box is on the top of your homepage. Shoot for the upper right corner. Users often expect to see a search box in this area and may want to search your site for the information they are looking for. You can get free search boxes from Google or FreeFind.
If you want to find out how to develop a website, there is no need to pay for information. Doing so may not be a wise use of resources. There is a lot of accurate information to be found in books and magazines. However, a lot of this information is free. A lot of the free info is just as useful as what you’ll pay for.
Leaving some spaces unused is part of a strategic design plan, so do not think that you need to fill every inch. Using white space makes your website easy to read. This makes your site’s message much easier to understand and process.
When you design any website, make certain that everyone can access it. Try finding a person out of country to check the site for you. Some things may not look right in another country, so this is what you should really be checking on.
No matter what your website looks like, all the file sizes should be small. Your file sizes have a lot to do with the speed of your site loading. It is always a good idea for your website to load as quickly as possible. This is because not all of the visitors you’re going to attract are going to have a powerful operating machine or high speed Internet. Test your website to ensure that it loads quickly even on a dial-up modem connection.
Be sure you are consistent with interface tools. Also, make sure they are easy to use. All text that is underlined make clickable, and have the links change color when highlighted and clicked on. If your website is easy to use and consistent on each page, people will likely stay on your page longer, and they may visit the site more.
Link your logo to your home web page. It is almost a convention of website design to have a click-able linking to your homepage. Imagine your reader’s frustration as they click away with nothing happening! They might think it’s broken, and that your site isn’t as good as they thought. Having a logo that is clickable will make site navigation easier.
It is not difficult to develop a gorgeous website. After you get the hang of it, designing web pages becomes much simpler and easier to create sites that have great looking content. Keep these tips in mind as you carry on.
Do not underestimate the value of using a plain white for the background on your web presence. White backgrounds make your content easier to read, and give your website a more trustworthy feel if you want a professional look. Gaudy backgrounds, by contrast, often blend in with the content, and make it appear to be hastily put together. It is best to stick with a simple background when you are designing your website.