Have you come across different websites that really called to you and you wondered how they did that? From the layout to the graphic design, many elements must be considered. You can use this article to teach you what kind of things the pros are doing out there. Keep reading to learn more tricks for designing a website.
Do not underestimate the value of a website that loads fast, with no slowdowns. If visitors have to wait and sit for a long time as your website load, there is a big chance that they will click away from you website and go elsewhere. They will probably not come back as well.
Don’t have an abundance of graphics on your site. You want the site to look professional and well-designed instead of cluttered. Graphics are not meant to be used as mere decorations; they’re meant to better your site content. Having the right amount of graphics that does not impede on the overall website design is key to how well the site looks.
Ensure that the site can be scanned with ease. Tests have shown that the majority of online readers avoid reading everything on a page; instead, they just scan it for information that is of importance to them. That’s why it is smart to break your information into smaller, more easily comprehended chunks. In addition, be sure to keep key information toward the top portion of the page. This all leads to an experience that is more satisfying to your visitors as they can always find what they are looking for quickly and easily.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t overuse JavaScript. JavaScript is highly overrated because it can cause issues for some users. There are many different web browsers that people use and they are constantly being updated with new features. Some visitors will have older versions of their browser, which doesn’t support the latest JavaScript. Many people turn off Javascript, or disallow it on a site they don’t visit regularly. These problems will lead to people not being able to use your site.
A great way to get repeat visitors to your site, is by having them subscribe to your newsletter. You can keep your visitors informed about important events, updates, and changes when they sign up for a newsletter, and the flow of information will often tempt them to revisit your site. Put the form for signing up in a prominent location, such as a sidebar, and use it to compile a list of visitors who opt in to your newsletter. Send the newsletter only to people who opt-in or you could get in trouble for spam!
Make sure that your load times are up to par at all times. If visitors must wait a long time for something to load, they will want to leave the site. Try reducing how many graphics you use, as well as how much Flash and JavaScript is on your site, optimize your HTML code, make use of server caches and minimize your use of JS and CSS code.
Create a comprehensive “About Us” page. Most websites don’t have very interesting copy in this area. Make it a little more exciting! Let your visitors know a little bit about you. Share tidbits of information such as your business goals, your beginnings in web design and the sources of your inspiration.
For creating your own website, consider using Adobe Dreamweaver. People of all knowledge levels can understand this program easily. It is feature rich, with lots of layouts and templates. It can also help with testing the site so you know how it will look once on the server.
Learn all you can about website design to be successful. You must know your niche well to have your sights set on your targeted customer base. You must think of ways in which you can design your website, in order to maximize your efforts in reaching your target audience. This will help you approach site design more efficiently.
Limit the amount of content you start out with on a given page to small amounts when you first start out. Visitors want simple, informative content they can use.
Web Design
You should use a good layout for the site, one that you are able to work with and is basic so it’s easy for you to understand the foundation of the web design first. As you continue to learn about web design, you can update and change your site to reflect your new knowledge.
Do not try to force your users to do what you want them to do or go off on a tangent other than what they are currently interested in. This means to avoid splashing offers or surveys in front of them that won’t let the continue until they interact with it. Forcing your visitors to do things they don’t have time for will only annoy them and drive them away.
When looking to host videos on your site, you need to check with your particular web host to ensure that it’s allowed. There are some hosts that forbid hosting videos. Do not waste time by building videos to be be hosted on a site that does not allow the space you need for FLV or similar files.
When making many pages in a sub-category of your site, remember that copying and pasting can be your best friend. You can save time when designing your website by using the same HTML code, with small changes, for each page. You can continuously work from that master copy.
Search Box
Place your search box toward the top of your pages and allow people to type in at least twenty-seven characters. You want to be sure the button leading to your search actually says ‘search’ and not something like ‘submit’ or ‘go’. This will ensure your search box can be easily seen, used, and assist your visitors in discovering what they’re searching for.
Now you should know more about designing a website. Start with a rough draft and list the elements you liked about those other sites. Then, work these elements into your site. Get creative and have fun!