Beginning web designers often wonder just how many custom templates and special software they need to be successful. What it takes to design a website, comes down to the amount of effort you’re willing to put into educating yourself. If you don’t want to learn a lot of technique, code, and so forth, third party programs or hired web creation companies may be the answer for you. However, if you take the time to learn a little about website design, it is possible to make one without spending a lot of extra cash.
NoScript is your friend and a test your site has to pass in order for it to be deemed functional. You can add this extension to Firefox, and then use it against your website. Some content isn’t going to work without using scripts, but you don’t want to have a blank site with scripts turned on.
There are free applications that will help you create your site. While it is widely thought that pricey software and tools are the only solutions to building a quality website, there are actually vast amounts of free software and tools available on the Internet. Both of which can help you as you start the design process and to keep your site up and running. Hit your favorite search engine and do research to find a piece of software that suits your needs.
Try and write a decent “About Us” page. These pages are often dull and uninteresting. Make this area of your website more exciting. Let people see who you are by sharing your educational background, career moves and future goals.
In your website design, keep in mind that web browsers are more friendly to websites that have independent CSS pages and provide conditional loading. This will help with maintenance and testing down the road. Simplicity is key to success.
Adobe Dreamweaver is website software that works well. This software is simple and can be quickly learned. You can add many different features, create various templates and layouts, and test how your site will look once it’s loaded onto a permanent server.
Most people are aware of the Photoshop software and that the more knowledgeable they are in it, the better their chances are of creating good web page design. However, many people don’t know about Dreamweaver and its potential for designers. Look into this application to find out its benefits.
After you have learned new programs, such as Dreamweaver or Photoshop, check with colleagues or friends to confirm that you have not missed anything. It is difficult to keep all of the details of web design in mind, and it is common to become confused while designing and miss a thing or two. That’s why it’s good to have knowledgeable friends “proof” your site for you.
If you want to host any type of video on your website, make sure to first check with the web host to be positive that this is something that is allowed. Many hosts don’t allow video at all, while others will restrict the amount of bandwidth you can use before you pay a fee. The files (FLV) take up a great deal of space on servers, so do not waste your time and efforts including them on your site; learn the rules beforehand.
You will design better websites if you keep learning about web page design. You should try to learn new aspects of web page design all the time. Doing this can add time to designing a website early on, but later you’ll be such a pro that you can crank sites out in droves.
Visual Sitemap
To help you plan ahead, you want to make a visual sitemap. This can give you an idea of where you want to go in the future. A visual sitemap enables you to precisely watch over the development of your website. This will allow you to hone in on anything that needs some tinkering, or perhaps something that you have completely overlooked. There isn’t anything like a crystal clear visual of your project.
Look at the site statistics daily when updating your site to figure out its appeal. This is important because you should stay abreast of which pages your visitors visit the most and where your customers are located. This can help you update material that will keep them interested and returning.
Make your interface tools easy for your visitors to use. Underline all click-able text and allow the text to change colors once clicked. This will help people easily navigate through your website.
Each page on your website should have your logo on the top. It links your pages and makes it more cohesive. Also, this will build brand recognition for your site. Your logo should be reflective of your company.
If the domain name you have chosen for your site is not available, you might be able to acquire it on a domain name auction site. One such site is Sedo. You’ll find many great domain names which are no longer in use and available to you.
For every web page that you create, validate it. A lot of the WYSIWYG (What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get programs) add junk coding into the website design. When using those programs, it’s important to take the extra step and validate your code through a validation service. W3C has a complimentary page validation service.
Designing a website is easier than most things in life. You don’t have to attend school, and someone’s life isn’t going to be depending on you. Just by utilizing the tips in the above article, you can design an excellent website right now.