Let’s face it designing your first website can seem overwhelming with all the technology and options available to you. Remember when creating a website for your online business to look for the simplest solution first. Below are some tips to follow when designing your site.
Navigation
Website surfers are notoriously impatient so keep your site easy to navigate. The most common place for navigation buttons are on the top of the page. Make sure they are located on the same place on each page throughout your website using consistent font and colors. Consider using reminders to let your visitor know where he or she his is like changing the button color or appearance. It's better to have tabs and navigation buttons easy to understand than fancy effects.
Quick Loading web pages
Most website visitors will wait no longer than 10 to 15 seconds for a web page to load. I can't even wait that long. You may have a fantastic website design but no one is going to see it if it takes too long to load. Consider taking any music or videos out unless they are absolutely necessary. Simple designs can be effective consider minimizing your use of images that take a long time to load.
Browser Compatibility
Check to make sure your site is compatible with different web browsers. Your website should look the same whether it's being viewed with Internet Explorer or Netscape. There are several programs available that can help you check web browser compatibility. Microsoft Web Expression 3 allows you to check your site side by side as it is seen through different browsers. You can get a free trial at www.microsoft.com
Text and Color
Avoid using fancy fonts. If the site visitor doesn't have that font on his or her computer it will default to one that is available. Use Arial or Veranda and keep these a size that people can read. Search the web and look at other sites to get ideas and be creative but remember to use colors professionally by being sure your color choices fit the websites content. Use enough color to support or add to the information being displayed. Make sure you use the same color combinations throughout your website.
Spell checking
Make sure you spell check. I can't tell you how many sites I visit that have misspelled words. How can your portray your professionalism and have spelling errors.
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Test your links
A Check to make sure your site's links work. Some web design software allows you to do this before you upload your site to your web server. However, it never hurts to go online and check yourself. Net Mechanic can be used to check your website for broken links if you don't have this feature in your web design software. Remember sites are moving or shutting down all the time so make sure you are removing external links that don't work with some consistency.
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