Basic Web Design Standards

August 7, 2008 at 7:07 pm · Filed under Web_Design

The Internet has certainly changed the face of commerce, with it becoming more and more difficult to find a business with out a website. Thus, there are a lot of businesses looking for a cheaper, easier way to gain their presence on the web. Realistically, with the advent of numerous “user friendly” website development programs, almost anyone willing to devote a little time can develop a website. However, websites designed with out an understanding of web standards and technologies are often poorly designed and problematic. Also, businesses often realize that their site requires features that are beyond the capability of the novice website designer.

So, what makes one website stand out as superior to another? The fact is, efficient website design is a science. The architecture behind a well designed website is beyond the scope of the article, however, there are certain attributes that are key in efficient website design. Here are 6 things to remember when designing a website.

1. Have a targeted market

Understanding and defining who you are marketing to should be the first step in developing your website. The market of a website should dictate the look and the language of that website. A website designed for a law firm will naturally be dramatically different from a website designed for a rock band, from the ground up. The website should be representative of the company’s principles and preferences. Failure in this area may take away from the credibility of the company.

2. Have a definite focus

Keep the focus of each page to a minimum. Don’t try to fit everything in on one page. Separating subjects into different pages will help keep your website more defined and organized. A website with poorly organized, or poorly categorized, content can often look overwhelming and will discourage the reader from remaining on your website.

3. Content is King

The content of your website should be your top priority. Text that describes your company, your products or services, your company’s vision, and so on, in a concise, easily understood manner is key. I recommend that you write the content for your site before you ever start in the design process. Have as many people as you can proof read your content to ensure that it is sensible and flows well. Ask others questions about the impression of your company they get based on the content. This may shed light on the way the website should look and behave.

4. Keep it consistent

Generally, the language and look of one page should be very similar to that of the other pages in the website. You don’t want the users to feel as though they are bouncing from one website to another.

5. Make website navigation clear and simple

Keep in mind that if a user has to search too hard for information on your website, they won’t search at all. They’re more apt to search for a simpler website. The terms used as links to navigate a website should be brief, but descriptive of the content they lead to. I also recommend that most websites include more then one navigation section (i.e. if you designate the left side of the page as a navigation area, consider placing a less apparent navigation section at the bottom of the page).

6. Design for speed

You have a maximum of about 30 seconds to capture the attention of your visitors. This time decreases dramatically if your site is slow to load. For this reason, graphics used should be small or optimized. Also, while features such as Flash, audio/video, and animations certainly have their place, they should be used in moderation on most websites.

Implementation of these tips will move your website in the right direction.

Richie Fortenberry is the founder of the website design company, Arf Web Design. http://www.arfwebdesign.com

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Web Designing Tips For New Web Designers

July 18, 2008 at 3:08 pm · Filed under Web_Design

Introduction to Web Design

Websites are such useful tools. They are great for sharing information, selling products, and staying in touch and up to date with family and friends. As a web designer with some “hard knocks” experience under my belt I would like to share some tips for getting started that should make the process a little easier and a little less confusing. The basics that you need to know about putting together a website are keep it simple, keep it relevant, and keep it accessible.

Keep It Simple

Keep it simple is one of the most overused clich

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Web Design - The Basics

July 2, 2008 at 2:14 pm · Filed under Web_Design

For your website to be successful, it has to contain the proper web design. This isn’t too hard if you’ve been designing websites for years and have had the time and experience to perfect your technique, but for everyone else, web design can seem somewhat daunting. Don’t worry, though, it doesn’t have to be. Just remember that using common sense, and applying your own taste are the best things that you can do for your web design strategy.

However, just because you think your site looks good, doesn’t mean that your visitors will read it. Nor does it mean that they will come back a second time. Therefore, web design only starts with your own taste, and must also include other techniques that will ensure continued success.

There are five basic things that you need to look at to develop your web design strategy. They are as follows:

1. Your Website Title - Every successful website must first have an excellent title. A truly great title needs to be interesting, catchy, and applicable. “Bob’s Website” isn’t exactly the most attractive way to make a first impression. The title is, after all, the first words that will catch the visitor’s eye. If the title doesn’t work for your readers, they won’t click it on the search engines, and they won’t stick around if they arrive at the site. Give yourself time to brainstorm great website title ideas, asking friends and family for inspiration, and using a thesaurus for some dazzling words.

2. Columns - The number of columns used within your web design will alter the entire perception of your website. The standard first website will usually have a rather plain layout, consisting of only one column, however, the majority of readers actually prefer two-column pages to allow for written content in one column, and navigation links within the other. This web design is much more attractive, and makes navigation throughout your website much easier. Though the three-column website does have its fans, it is not necessarily any better than the one- or two-column web designs. However, if you have a great deal of complexity to your website and you need additional navigation options, or if you need additional writing space, then the extra column might work well for you.

3. Colors - Although it might seem that colors are among the simplest decisions that you need to make for your web design, once you get started, you may find that it’s more challenging than you first thought. Colors are very important to the overall appearance of your website, and will influence people’s decisions to find out what your site has to offer, and their decision to return. If your website design is bland, it will make people believe that your website is dull. If the colors are too bright and are hard on the eyes, staying at the website will feel unpleasant. If the colors are warm and comforting, making the customer feel at home, they are more likely to feel that they like your site, and will stick around and return more frequently.

4. Navigation - When building your web design, don’t forget that navigation will be key to allowing visitors to properly benefit from your site. The key is consistency and easy access. Every page on the website should link back to the homepage so that visitors don’t get lost among the different pages of the site and finally give up and go elsewhere. You’ll also need some sort of index which appears in the same way on every page, so that users will always know where to look when they want to head to the next page of interest.

5. Content - When it comes to web design, content is among your most important features. If your content isn’t good, nobody will have any reason to visit your site. Among other site-specific pages, your content should include a minimum of a homepage, which tells visitors what your site is about, and why they’d want to visit. An “about us” page is also advisable, telling visitors who you are and why you’ve got the website. Use this space to show people that you know your stuff, and they can trust your site for reliable information and resources. When visitors understand you better, they’ll feel more comfortable visiting your site.

Most importantly, don’t just follow a template, do something new, and keep it fresh. People won’t want to keep visiting a site that never changes. They want to see updates, or they won’t have any reason to return. The more often you update your site, the longer people will spend visiting your site in order to keep on top of things. Once a week is ideal, but once a month should be your bare minimum. When it comes to web design, you have to be up to date!

Mark Nenadic

Mark is the director and face behind FifteenDegrees-North http://www.15dn.com, where you will find articles and resources to help with SEO, marketing and Web design.

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