Website Design Basic Tips

Experienced web designers know a thing or two about web design because they have been burned at least once. For business owners wishing to create their own websites, you can avoid getting burned by following the tips below:

1. Make your images small in file size. In today’s broadband throughput, keep them below 24 KB per image. Slow loading pages can turn your users away. Optimize your images using your favorite image manipulation program.
2. Re-size your images so that it fits the content. Don’t add unrelated photos to your website just because you can. Your images should support the text content, or adds to the visual appeal of your layout.
3. Do not use images that constantly blink, rotate, move around, or flash on every single page. Use them sparingly. If you have to have these images on your website, put them in the splash (opening) screen. There have been many studies that show that flashing graphics are distracting to users.
4. Implement traditional and easy-to-read layouts. Newspapers and magazines are easy to read and that is why many people still subscribe to them. Avoid using more than 2 frames on one page. Avoid a layout where you have to scroll to the right to read everything on the page, unless you want to be “different”. These types of layouts are fun, but they can drive your readers away. 3-column layout are popular on web sites and newspapers is because it works.
5. White space is a function of your layout and encourages readability of your pages. Be aware of the whitespace on your pages and how it affects how the content is viewed. Whitespace is just as important in a web layout as it is in a paper layout.
6. Only use 2 to 3 different fonts. If you want to avoid making your Web site look like it was built by a non-professional is to use 7 different fonts sprinkled all over the website. Use sans-serif type fonts for paragraphs because they are easier to read on a monitor compared to serif type fonts.
7. Stick to using standard font families like Verdana, Geneva, Arial, and Helvetica. Not everyone will have your fancy-looking font unless you convert it to an image.
8. Test your pages in at least 3 of the most popular browsers. Just because it works in your browser does not mean it will work across all browsers. Avoid writing web pages that work only on the most modern browsers unless you are designing one for a controlled intranet.