By Kishor Nayak
The world of web designing is huge and complex. Moreover, with new innovations made daily, it has become all the more complex. However, there are basic rules that stand tall for all times and changes.
Here are some basics of website design:
GRAPHICS- Limit the size of each image to about 10-12 KB. Though the number of broadband users is increasing, tolerance of slow loading pages is still nil. Huge images cause web pages to load very slowly and so, they should be optimized appropriately.
The images that you put on your website should be in sync with the content there. A website related to real estate doesn’t go well with pictures of dogs and horses. The only exception to the rule is when your website caters to images, like photography websites. Then you can, and should, use a variety of pictures. Refrain from using blinking or moving images on your website. They only serve the purpose of annoying visitors.
LAYOUT - Always use standard layouts. Some websites use multiple frames on one page. Others need users to make use of the horizontal toolbar to read the full text (there is no scrolling down to be done). These layouts make take toll on the user experience. Use three column layouts instead.
Another important element is the Whitespace. It decides how presentable the content of the page looks. However excessive or even restrained use of the Whitespace can have contrasting effects.
Graphics can be used as design elements of the website page. For instance, you can wrap text around an image and load in onto the web page.
FONTS - Always use Serif font for the headlines and Sans-Serif for the textual matter of the website. Because of low screen resolutions of computer monitors, the Sans serif fonts make the text easily readable. But if Serif fonts for the text content of the website, it can have a blurred effect and will not be readable.
Refrain from using different types of font on your website. It might be fun to do it but there is nothing more amateurish that this. It’s advisable to use maximum 3 font types. You can use a one font for the headings, another for the text and a different one to highlight important information within the text.
Make use of standard font families. Stick to fonts like Verdana, Geneva, Arial, and Helvetica. They would make the content look better.
ADVERTISING - Visitors to your website don’t come to see the advertisements, but to look for information that they need. No visitor would stay if the ads on the website overwhelm the content on it. Advertisements are necessary to earn revenue but scaring off visitors would defeat the very purpose of the website. Therefore limit the number of ads that you place on your website.
Again, keep the advertisements limited to a small size. Don’t make them blinking either. Rather include advertisements that are relevant to the content pasted there.
Everyone knows the importance of having a website. For any business to flourish, it has to have a strong web presence on the internet. And just having an amateurish website design wouldn’t do! Your website design has to be such that it captures visitors’ attention and make them stay longer. Here are some important tips by which you can improve your website design and make it even better in its pursuit to complement your business objectives:
Fast Speed
Inspite of the internet revolution, not everyone has access to fast internet connection. Many people still use the dial-up modems to connect to the internet. Therefore your website should cater to those with slow connections as well. The pages of your website should load faster. Avoid using banners and images that take eternity to load. Instead use relevant images that have been optimized appropriately. If your website doesn’t load in maximum 15 seconds, there is no reason why visitors will stay and wait.
Value Time
When you make your web pages load quickly, it gives an impression that you value your visitors’ time. Don’t keep them waiting for too long. If at all you cannot avoid your website from loading slowly, request your visitors to wait rather than making them stare at a blank screen.
Provide Options
If you need to include music or other sound effects on your website, at least provide your visitors an option to turn it on and off as per their preferences. This is because many people don’t want to listen to music as they surf and might as well leave if they are made to. Providing them with an option to turn it off will make your website a favorite with all.
Text Size
The text size of your web page is another important factor that affects your website design. Make sure it is large enough so that visitors can read it easily and at the same time not too large so as to give an amateurish appearance to your website. Also, the background color should be in contrast to the text color so that it doesn’t obscure anything.
Color Choice
The choice of colors for your website is a critical point. It’s always advisable to stick to web safe colors and use a white on black or black on white combination for text colors.
Clear Links
All the links on your website should be clearly identified and point towards the right destination. organize all the hyperlinks on different pages of your website so that your visitors can navigate through the site with ease.
Use of Flash
Using Flash to create drop down menus for a website is a hot trend nowadays. Using Flash along with Macromedia Fireworks and Dreamweaver can help your create professional looking website designs in less than a day. However, make sure your visitors are able to figure out how the Flash menus work.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Your website should be compatible on all the major browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera etc. this is because your website should be functional and accessible to users across the world using a variety of browsers.
Kishor Nayak is a Business Consultant working with International clients. Did you find this information useful? You can read reviews and product features of the latest softwares. Visit: http://thebestsoftwareblog.com/
