Google has a clean website design which is unrivaled in it’s simplicity. Other sites may go for a more complex layout to please visitors. Whatever your goal, you must know web design basics. This article can help you create the site you want.
Choosing the right graphics can either make or break a website. PNGs work much better than bitmap images, which are huge. For images that are not photographs, use PNG format for over 256 colors. If under 256 colors, use GIF format. For photos, you can use JPEG images.
Peruse website design forums for more in depth ideas, as well as new information. A quick online search can help you find a lot of great information.
Always double check pages for broken links before publishing a page. Error pages can be very frustrating to visitors. You can do this manually or run a software program if you like.
Always keep the size of your pages to a minimum. For customers with slower Internet speeds, a slow loading site can cause loss of interest. If it takes too long many will just leave and visit a different website.
Remember the background. Your background should not be too distracting and allow your reader to read the text easily. Choose a background that complements your site instead, and visitors will easily understand they message you want to convey.
The use of JavaScript should be kept at a minimum. JavaScript is helpful in the development opportunities it provides, but some users may experience problems with it. Web browsers have different capabilities, and they all have new versions that come out regularly. Your goal is to have as many website visitors as possible. They may also not have enabled JavaScript in their browser. These both could keep users from getting to your website.
When designing a large site, always incorporate a search feature. The upper right of the main page should have a search box for users to search your whole site. You can find viable search features through companies like FreeFind or Google.
Never use pop-ups. Most people do not like visiting a website, then having pop-up ads bombard them. Many people will close a website that brings pop-ups as soon as they can, no matter what size the site is. You can prevent visitor frustration, and improve your reputation, by avoiding pop-up advertisements entirely. Any host which requires you to have pop-up ads is a host you don’t want to use!
Make use of free software in your site setup. Do not listen to people who tell you that you can’t design and operate a website without relying on pricey software packages; you can find a free alternative for virtually every task. Just look around a bit to locate the ones that will work best for what you need.
Whether you want a simple site or a more bright and jazzy one, the information provided here will help you get started. Once you begin applying the tips you have learned from this article, you will be designing websites like a pro.
No matter how flashy your website is, it is vital that you keep the sizes of your website’s files small. Large files cause your website to load slowly. You want your site to load as quickly as it can. You should remember also that some visitors may not use an Internet connection that is high speed. You should try loading your site on different kinds of connections to see how quickly it loads.