Posted in: Web Design on April 27, 2012
Make sure that every action can be cancelled if needed. Whether filling out forms, signing up for email notices or even needing browsing options, users will find this useful. If you don’t give visitors the opportunity to cancel their actions, you are depriving them of control, and that can prove fatal to your website.
Try to include some “site searching” on your index page and sub-pages if you can. By doing this you will help to increase your site’s usability, and allows easy access to any information that a visitor might wish to see. Site searches are easy to make, and the benefits are worth the effort.
Make a favicon just for your site. This graphic shows up both in the address bar and on your bookmark, allowing people to recognize your website without even looking at the URL. When a visitor browses his bookmarks, a distinctive favicon will stand out. Brand your icon to match your logo and website.
Apart from the aesthetics of your website, remember that all files included must be small. This is because the size of the files dictates the speed at which your website loads. You want your website to load very quickly when potential clients visit. Remember, some of your website’s visitors will not be using a fast Internet connection. You should try loading your site on different kinds of connections to see how quickly it loads.
Choose some reference books on design principles in general, and web design in particular. Choose books adapted to your current level of skills and very comprehensive. Read reviews before buying anything.
Content is the most important element of any business website. Try to keep things on the simpler side, and limit photos and information to those which will truly help your visitors to understand your products. A simple page will load the fastest.
When you’re working with a company associated with web design, it is vital that you pay your bills in time. This company handles the maintenance of your website. If you don’t pay on time, they might not feel obligated to help you on your website when a situation comes along. Paying them on time will make them feel comfortable and eager to help.
Steer clear of captchas. While captchas may be useful in some cases, forcing them to do so for mundane tasks, will make them leave your site quickly. Unless your visitor is already devoted to your site, he or she will likely leave your page and go somewhere else.
Think like an artist when designing your website. In other words, always be prepared to allow inspiration to strike. When a great idea pops into your head during a meal out, scribble your thoughts on a napkin. If that great and inspiring thought comes your way while you’re on the job, send yourself an email so you can act on the idea at a later time.
The faster a web page loads, the more it will be appreciated. You should minimize the loading time of your site’s pages. If a visitor needs to wait while the page loads, they may click off your site and not return.
These tips are the perfect starting point, so get out there and look for opportunities to use them! There is always something new to learn when it comes to website design, and staying on top of learning will help you stay ahead of the curve!
