Do you wish you could create a great website but don’t have a clue as to how to begin? Would you prefer to avoid paying someone to design the site for you? If so, this article is perfect for you!
The graphics you use are important. Do not use bitmap for your images as they take up too much space. Try using PNGs for images that are not photos or text buttons or if an image has over 256 colors. Use GIFs for something with less than 256 colors. JPEG images are good for pictures.
Design your page so that previously entered information is saved and automatically used to fill in informational boxes. For instance, if a user registers at your site and another form requires the same information again, be certain your website preserves this data to prevent them the useless and annoying hassle of filling it in again. Keeping information “sticky” like this will make it simple to sign up for things on your site, and visitors will appreciate that you have saved them time.
A search box should be included on your website that allows visitors to look up information on your site. People who are seeking something in particular are bound to be interested in finding a search box upon reaching your site. When one is not available, chances are they will move to a site that is searchable. Put the box on the right-hand top of the page.
Web Browsers
Don’t rely on JavaScript too much. Even if JavaScript opens up interesting possibilities for your designs, not all your visitors will be able to see your content properly. Web browsers are all different, and each comes out with new versions pretty regularly. Many visitors use outdated versions of various web browsers, which means your code might not be supported. Not all computer users keep JavaScript running on their internet browsers. This means they’ll have difficulty viewing your site because of this.
Do not work with pop-ups. Nobody appreciates new windows popping up automatically when they visit a webpage. It is not unusual for some people to refuse to stay on a website, and not return either, if it contains pop-up ads. It’s best to stay away from this type of ad to keep your visitors happy. If you have a host that requires the use of pop-ups, then look for a new one.
Always give viewers the option to cancel a current action. These actions involve signing up for newsletters or email notifications, filling out forms, or searching the site for different topics or archives. If you do not give visitors the option to get out of an action they do not want to continue with, you are pressuring them into something. This makes them less likely to come back or buy from you in the future.
Try using easy, maintainable and clear navigation. Place all navigation links in areas that flow well and are easily visible so your visitors know where to go and remain on the site much longer. Never forget that your design as far as ease of navigation is the most important thing you can do to retain and build traffic.
Be sure load times for your site are good. If visitors have to wait too long, they will likely leave. Reduce graphics, scripts and Flash consoles on your web page, optimize HTML and utilize SSI files.
Broken Links
Simplify your home page. A lot of people will only look at the front page. That’s where they are making the decision whether to spend more time on your site. Explain exactly what your business specializes in.
Check your site for broken links. The best time to do this is just before you FTP the page over to the server. You want to avoid broken links, because they make your visitors especially frustrated by promising certain content and then failing to deliver it. Check your website regularly to make sure it works properly.
Using a host’s design tools to build your website is a good idea for the basic layout, but you don’t want to rely on the design tools completely. Work your own individuality into your website by adding your own touches beyond the basics that the host provides.
Using a development platform can make it easy to code your web page, but they are not necessarily reliable. Site features are designed within the platform, and then the generated code is pasted in. However, if you’re wanting to minimize errors and have an excellent experience, you need to utilize a text editor.
Always use text content for links on your pages. This makes it perfectly clear to visitors where they are going to go if the click on the links. If your links don’t have text, they may not be helpful.
Buy books that can help you become a great web designer. Be sure you begin with information that is targeted to your current design level; you want to improve your skills, but you want to make sure you don’t miss any information as you go.
You need to think about who your target audience is, and gear your website toward this group. Ask others what they want to see on your site. This can help with the design aspect as well as other components of the site. Giving the people what they want is vital to almost any type of success.
Remember that web designing doesn’t need to be pricey. For every expensive, useful, and popular website creation tool, there is an equally useful tool you can find that costs a lot less. There are plenty of free software options that function in the same way as commercial software. Especially when you are first starting and need to have inexpensive resources, the software that is accessible through open sources can be a lifesaver.
Optimize your website to ensure fast load times. People are more likely to leave your site if the load time is too long. When you reduce your graphics and other fancy elements, you will speed up access to your pages and retain your visitors.
Putting the previous suggestions into use will have you getting closer to the goals you want through your website. It really is the key to 21st century marketing. Enjoy!
Onaolapo Adeyemi is a travel and technology writer. If he’s not on tour, you’ll find him in New York with his wife, and pet parrot hanging out at Starbucks.
