The Secrets Of Web Design By: Stuart Smith

The number one rule of any website design is this-make sure that it performs optimally under all conditions. Many new webmasters feel the need to entertain their visitor by adding expensive, fancy flash works that can actually hamper the optimal performance of their site.

Here are some tips to help with your website design projects in the future. 1) Avoid the use of splash pages

These are fancy pages you will see when you click on to a link to visit a website. Made up of pretty designs, they are usually lavish images and graphics with accompanying words such as “welcome to our site� or “click here to enter�. In fact, they are just a 'pretty vase' that serves no real purpose. This page serves a good purpose to entertain but if website conversion is your goal, it can be a big barrier for you to achieve your goals.

2) Reduce the number of banners on your site

These are usually large adverts placed at the top of the web page but can also be at the bottom too. Blatant ads such as banners tend to be regarded as being less credible and it is a total waste of website space Web surfers tend to ignore such banner ads so adding them would only mean a waste of virtual real estate space. The right way to use the space is to add contents that are engaging and informative and add your affiliate links into them so that they would feel natural instead of sounding like and advertisement.

3) Keep navigation simple

You have to provide a simple and very straightforward navigation menu so that even a young child will know how to use it. Avoid the use of flash menus or multi-tiered menus because generally they are not a good idea as far as easy navigation is concerned. If you make it difficult for them, they will leave your site. It is good in any website design to include a sitemap to help them find what they are looking for.

4) Ensure your visitors know what page they are on

You will want to help your users feel in control by giving them a clear view of where they are at your website. This map will help them get to where they want to be without wasting too much time. Ensure every page of your website has its title and a tracking system is used to allow visitors to see where they have been and where they are. If you create any form of confusion, you will drive the visitors away.

5) Follow this simple rule- do not use audio

If your visitor is going to stay a long time at your site, reading your content, you will want to make sure they're not annoyed by some audio looping on and on at your website. If sound is used, do not let it play over and over again. Adding audios may seem cool but provide some form of user control such as muting ability or volume control so that your visitors can adjust accordingly. If you wish for the visitors to return to your site, learn to apply all these website design rules and you can reap the benefits of long term traffic.

Stuart Smith owns the websites Success Home Working and Internet Business Opportunity Site and writes articles around these areas of interest.

Total Views : 5    Word Count: 533   See All Articles By Stuart Smith