IMP Web Design Tips

10 Most Important Web Design Tips

These are the 10 things which I think are most important to observe when creating a web site. They are in no particular order:

1. Red On Blue Isn't GoodNot only red text on a blue background but any color (except white) on a black background, light text on white backgrounds and dark text on dark backgrounds don't work! Especially if you have a lot of text, it is very important that it is easy to read and doesn't hurt people's eyes. Surprisingly enough, red text is used on a blue background a lot, even though it is one of the worst combinations of colors.

2. I Don't Like Your Java ClockDon't bother putting 'Eye Candy' on your site like java clocks and menus with sounds. You might think it makes you look clever, but it doesn't (unless you wrote the software yourself of course)! Anyone can copy and paste an applet from another website and they usually don't really improve your site. Some browsers don't support them either so it really isn't worth it. Read more about deciding between Technology and Compatibility

3. Popup Window? I'm Leaving!One of the worst things I have seen on websites, both personal and semiprofessional ones is popup windows! Even on big sites like http://www.123webmaster.com/ you get a popup window when you visit. Personally I will usually leave a site with a popup window. They are extremely annoying. If your free web host gives you the option of a banner in a popup window or one at the top of the page choose the one on the page. Even if it makes designing it a bit more difficult and you can't have as many adverts, so many people hate them it is not worth it. Don't use them for 'Top 25 ???????? Sites' either. They are even more annoying than adverts. If your web host doesn't do anything but popup adverts it may be time to get a new one

4. I Don't Wait For Adverts To LoadI have seen all too many sites which are covered in adverts! You open the page and 2 banners are at the top. Underneath is some text, then an Amazon.com search box, then some more text, then a CDNow search box, then more text, then another type of affiliate program and finally the page is finished with 4 different banners at the bottom. It isn't worth it! You will never make money that way. Although it may be tempting to have more adverts to try and make more money but just 2 or 3 highly targeted adverts will make you more money and your visitors won't give up and leave, either. Learn more about making money from your site

5. Hide That Counter!Ask yourself this: "Why do I need to show the number of visitors I've had on my site?" Can you think of a good reason? It is extremely important to track your visitors, especially as your site grows, but showing the actual number of visitors serves no good purpose. If you have very few visitors then people who see that on your site will think it is unpopular, has no good content and will leave. If you have a lot of visitors then people won't really care about how many visitors you've had. It is better to use a good tracking service or hiding your counter. Find a good counter here.

6. I Don't Know How To Find What I WantA very common mistake to make when designing a web site is to think that your users know exactly where on your site to find what they are working for. What you must remember, though, is that the people visiting your site did not make it. They don't know where you put each piece of information. They need to be shown exactly where to find what they want. Use descriptive links. Always have an obvious link back to your homepage. If at all possible you should include a search function. This is not difficult to set up and you can get free site search from:FreefindAtomzGoogle

7. Don't Keep Moving ThingsWhen designing a web site, the first thing you should remember is to keep a consistent design. The only page which can be different is the main page. If you keep moving around your site's navigation or if every page is completely different from the others, your visitors will get confused. Sometimes they will think that they have left your site, sometimes they will not be able to find the link back to the home page. Make use of technologies like frames and tables to create consistent navigation and your visitors will like your site.

8. I Am Not Interested In You Or Your AwardsOne of the mistakes that a lot of sites, especially smaller ones, make is to have too much on their website telling users about the person who built it and showcasing the awards the website has won. Most people on the web will be looking for information, they don't care about the name of your dog! It is all right to have some information about you on a separate section of your site but don't make it a central part. Also, don't put awards all over your front page. Most awards mean nothing and anyone who submits to them win. Unless you have won a major award (like a Webby) don't put them on your main page.

9. Don't Crowd The ScreenA very important thing to do when designing your website is to leave a bit of space. Even though screen space is precious and you should try and make the best use of it, try to leave some blank space. Leave margins, use shorter paragraphs and don't fill up the screen with animated GIFs. If there is space, your site will look 'clean' and 'open' and users will like it. Using animated GIFs will draw your users' attention away from your content, which is what they are at your site for.

10. Make Your Site StickyImagine this, instead of having to promote your site, your visitors would just come to your site. They would stay on your site longer, view more pages and keep coming back. This is actually possible if your users like what is on your site and return. Some ways of making your site 'sticky' like this is to offer a service (like e-mail from Everyone.net), have a newsletter, update regularly or include news headlines on your site. It could save you a lot of time.Free E-mailFree News Headlines

source : .freewebmasterhelp

Best Tips for Design

Top Tips Web Design

The best Web site design for your Web site is the one you like best, but there are some things you will need to remember. Just because your Web site is pretty doesn't mean your readers will read it, or come back another day to read it again. Here are Web site design tips to help you help them to like your Web site.

Title - Make the title dazzling. A Web site title like "John's Web Site" is not very catchy. Without a title for your Web site that catches their eye they won't click on it. If your readers find a link to your Web site on search engines, or other lists, they probably won't click on it. Use a thesaurus to help you find unique, intriguing words to use in your Web site title.

Columns - How many columns you use in your Web pages changes your whole Web site. Usually when someone creates their first Web page their Web site design is something simple and pretty plain. A lot of people like to use two column Web pages for their Web site design so they can have their writing on one side of the Web page and their navigation on the other.

This Web site design looks much better than the plain Web page and it makes your Web site easier to navigate. Then there's the 3 column Web page. This Web site design is not better or worse than the 2 column Web page. It's used if you have a lot of navigation or if you want an extra column for special writings or links on your Web pages.

Colors - Colors are very important in Web site design when it comes to looks and having people read your Web site. If your Web site design colors are boring, people will think your Web site is boring. If you use colors on your Web site that make your Web site's readers feel at home or like they're at their favorite restaurant, you will have readers that feel like they're going to find something they like.

Navigation - An important rule to follow in Web site design is that every Web page on your Web site should link back to your homepage. If you want to keep people on your Web site then you need to provide them with a way back to the beginning so they don't get lost and move on to another Web site. Next you should create an index of some sort. You want people to be able to find what they are looking for easily on your Web site.

Some styles of Web site design put their navigation above the title, others put it at the bottom of the Web page, and many create a column especially for navigation. What will work best for your Web site is up to you, as you make sure people can see it without really having to look for it.
Content - Content is one of the most important thing when it comes to Web site design. If you don't provide good, valuable content on your Web site then no one will have a reason for visiting your Web site, not to mention read it. Your homepage should have information on it telling people about your Web site and why they should read it. Use this Web page to convince them that your Web site is worthwhile.Create a bio page. Tell your readers about you, what you like to do and where you grew up? When someone comes to your Web site they want to know who they are reading about. This way, while they are reading your site they can make appropriate associations and understand you better.

Write! Do something new on a regular basis. People won't come back to a Web site that never changes. They might read through it once but if they don't notice that you update your Web site, they won't come back. The more often you update the better. Once a week is great, once a month should be your minimum. This is also a very important part of Web site design.

source : Linda Roeder