Website design attracts many people, but too many webmasters get easily discouraged. If you’re one of the people that feels they want to get into web design but are a bit overwhelmed by the subject alone, then go ahead and look through this article and get a better idea of what web page design is all about.
When designing webpages it is important that you use the correct graphics. Keep in mind that bitmap files are quite large and typically do not work well, but PNGs work okay. For text buttons, screenshots, and other images that are not photographs, use PNG for images with over 256 colors and GIF for images with less. Try using JPEGs for photos.
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.
When designing webpages it is important that you use the correct graphics. BMP files are large and can slow down a website. A PNG image should be used when it has less than 256 colors, so try to stay with that when designing text buttons, screenshots and images that are photographic quality. JPEG is a good choice for photographic images.
Make sure that you include efficient search capabilities when you’re designing a large website. In the upper right-hand corner of the homepage, include a search box that allows users to search for a single term that appears anywhere in your site. FreeFind and Google both offer search plugins that can easily be added to your website.
Search Engines
Do not use frames on your website. Frames are not optimized for most search engines. Although users like pages that include frames, the information inside does not show up in search engines. This will preclude you from having a positive ranking. Your ranking is often what determines the number of visitors you have.
Have a visible tagline. This tagline includes a company motto or statement that tells the reader a little bit about the business. Using a clear tagline is important because when someone visits your page, you have roughly eight seconds to capture their attention and entice them to explore the rest of your site.
Make sure your navigation is simple to use. Where you locate your website’s navigation links can make a huge difference in the amount of time a visitor will spend on your site. The navigational tree should be neat, easily accessible and consistent so your visitors have a good web experience.
All links must have text content. Links with content are easier to view for your visitors and help them know exactly what they will be clicking on. Any links on your website should contain text because links without text can be accidentally selected without the viewer’s knowing.
Try using readable and professional-appearing fonts. A site that uses classic fonts will look more professional. Comic Sans and fancier fonts may not be available on a lot of your users’ computers, so don’t use them. A font could be subset to a default font in the computer of your user, if they do not have it. That can ruin your design!
Put in a search box that lets visitors search through your site content. If visitors are searching for something specific, they should be able to use a search box. If you lack one, they may just move on to another website immediately. Most people look for search forms in the top right so that’s where you should put it.
Hopefully this article has provided you with some good pointers about website development, and you are more confident than ever about diving into it. Just keep in mind that information on website design is always changing, so you should constantly be seeking out new ideas to keep you up-to-date with the times. With the right approach and application, you will push your efforts in web page design forward and find success.
