Though you may be skeptical of website differences, take some time to compare sites like Facebook versus sites hosted by Google or Yahoo. You’ll notice this difference immediately, and you’ll understand web page design bears much more significance than you could ever think of. Read on to find techniques which will make your site stand out in a crowd, even compared to these juggernauts!
Test your site to ensure it passes a NoScript test. Download the extension to ensure your website is readable. When your site is just a blank page, you have a problem.
Outdated Information
Speed is the governing factor of the Internet and it is imperative to ensure your web site loads at a fast pace. Realize that visitors to your site have many options and will just go somewhere else if your site does not load right away.
Be vigilant in policing your website for content that has become obsolete or outdated. For example, if your web page is promoting some event that occurred a year ago, you’ve probably lost a lot of your readers. People want the most accurate information available, and by leaving outdated information online you’re showing you don’t really care what they want. Set a schedule to review the site, to ensure that outdated information is removed, and fresh new content is added in its place.
Do your best to store any personal information of your users so that they don’t have to enter it over and over again on your site. Make it easy on your visitors by keeping information that they may need for other forms or orders. Doing this will make everything much easier for the people that visit your page, and they will definitely appreciate the time saved.
Search engine capabilities are an essential part of a large site. Place a search box visibly on your homepage that helps your visitors search single terms that may appear anywhere on your site. You can use Google search or FreeFind, as they both give you access to an engine which is free and simple to use.
Never underestimate the value of a site that is simple for visitors to navigate. Links should be easy to find and prominently displayed. Menus can also make it easier to navigate your site. Always post the links to your primary pages on every sub-page to keep visitors on your site.
Know what you’re talking about. It is very important that you conduct plenty of research about your subject if you are thinking about using the site as a blog. You will lose your readers if your provide them with incorrect information. The trick to a great blog is knowing your subject.
Photoshop is a great tool that novice designers should invest in to help make better looking web designs. Photoshop or other similar programs, can advance you into a professional arena quickly. If Photoshop is not something you have access to, then being able to create a good site could take some time.
Let site visitors give feedback. This way, you will know what you’re doing right and wrong and you can fix any problems that your visitors are coming across so others don’t have to deal with the same issues. Remember, when your visitors feel like they are involved with your website, they are more likely to make repeat visits.
Use a newsletter to gain repeat visitors. When you allow visitors to subscribe to your website’s newsletter for updates, they will be more likely to come back to your site. Put a form for registration on a sidebar or somewhere visible, yet not interfering with the page’s purpose. You can avoid some reputation-damaging trouble by making sure that your newsletter only goes out to visitors who have explicitly requested it.
Chances are you are not designing the next Twitter or Facebook site. Unless you come up with the best idea ever, aim lower. A good design will attract more visitors and there is no reason why your website could not be as successful as a site like Twitter. The above advice will help you get started, so begin brainstorming!