Create Better Sites With These Web Design Tips
Paying a company that designs websites to handle your site can be very pricy. And you may not even like the results! It’s very difficult to articulate what sort of website you want to build. You are the only person who knows your taste. Keep these tips in mind to create a good design for your site.
Make sure your text and background has the proper contrast. There’s evidence showing that white text on a black background is easiest for most people to read, but other colors are fine so long as they’re readable. Also keep in mind that people with visual impairments may not be able to read your site if the contrast is poor. Check to see if your site complies with various contrast standards using the tool at http://snook.ca/technical/colour_contrast/colour.html .
Feature a prominent tagline on your site. The tagline includes a motto or clever phrase that speaks to the purpose of your business. A clear tagline lets the reader quickly to see what the site is about, since most people make a decision to stay or go usually within 8 seconds.
Avoid useless scripts. Scripts like counters and date/time scripts don’t really serve any purpose, and since they are all JavaScript, can add a few kilobytes to the page’s file size. Getting rid of these elements also frees up space on the homepage. Replace those useless scripts with useful content that keeps users coming back.
Avoid creating user interface (UI) controls that mislead your visitors. These controls include elements, widgets and more that create an interactive experience, such as a link, drop-down list or button. You do not want to make visitors think that clicking on an underlined word or phrase for example, will lead to a new page if it is not actually linked to something else. When your visitors have expectations of something working a certain way and it does not, they are more likely to assume there is something wrong with your site and leave.
Make sure that you use the right anchor text. The anchor text of a link should clearly describe what the visitor should expect to see when he clicks on the link. For instance, if a link leads to your widget ordering page, the anchor text might read “Order widgets.” Specifically avoid using “click here” as anchor text.
Have a site map. These are useful to your clients and the search engines, as they give a detailed overview of your entire website. It can be a guide for viewers searching for a certain part of your site, and also allow you to keep track of its structure and layout.
Do not utilize pop-ups. This is one of those most hated marketing tactics on the web! Most visitors to your website will not like pop-up ads, even on big sites, they are aggravating and cause people to leave. Show some appreciation and respect for your customers, by avoiding annoying pop-ups. If your host forces pop-ups on you, it may be time to find a new one.
Learn the basics of HTML and CSS. Although there are many templates that allow you to just fill in the blanks, in order to create a web page, these templates provide only limited design possibilities. Understanding how the mark-up language and stylesheet work together will enable you to customize your website to your heart’s content.
One of the most appealing aspects of web design, besides its simplicity, is the fact that it is fairly easy to turn what you envision into a real and functional site. The tips above are various methods you can use to create a great site. Keep these tips in mind as you create.