Web Design 101...learning the basics
- Be sure to put your name and address on every page. Enough said.
- Limit the load time. A well-designed site should take just a matter of seconds to completely load in the browser window. Use graphics specifically designed for Internet use with the smallest (fastest-loading) file size.
- Make your site easy to navigate. If you use graphic hyperlinks, also include text-based hyperlinks (usually at the bottom of each page). If the graphic images somehow fail to display, the visitor will still be able to navigate your site using the text-based links.
Design your site with the idea that not all visitors will follow the same path. Consider arranging the sub-pages within your site so that each page links to every other page. This way, the visitor can easily get from one topic to the next without having to go back to the beginning of your site to start over.- Learn how the major search engines and indexes work and incorporate the necessary elements into your page.
- Animation? Don't. Usability studies have shown that people find animation to be very distracting. If you use animation, design an image that moves only once or twice, then stops.
- Design your site so that all browsers (even older versions) can accurately display it. Most people don't have the very latest versions of the most common browser programs (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, etc.) If a visitor is using a slightly older browser, your "cutting-edge" Web site may appear jumbled and uneven with broken hyperlinks, missing images, or with feedback forms and pulldown menus that don't work.
- Test your site! Make sure your site functions and looks great regardless of the browser it will be viewed with. Ask a new "pair of eyes" to proof the site. Check for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure that all the links work. A Web site that is easy to read and navigate will enhance the visitor's experience and will promote your firm in a positive light.
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