Tips for Great Web Design
Getting Started
If this is the first time you have thought about
creating a web site there are some basic steps that you need to consider:
Web Basics: If you are not already familiar with the
Internet and its terminology, then first you need to understand the basics
like email, ISPs, Web Hosting, Domain Names.
Getting Started - Determining Your Goals: Ask yourself "Why do I want a Web site?", "What do I
hope to achieve", "Who is my audience?", "What do they want to know?"
Web Design: Once you have clearly defined your goals, it's time to start
designing the look and feel of your site. What should the site look like;
how many pages will you need; how will people navigate through your site;
what special features should be added?
Promotion: Search engine placement and online marketing are
critical in building a successful e-business. We can help you promote
your site in the search engines and also help you develop a marketing plan that
incorporates your new Web site into your traditional marketing plan.
Keeping It Fresh: Once people can actually find your site, how are you
going to keep it fresh? We can help you develop an ongoing maintenance
plan to keep your site up-to-date and fresh.
What
Makes a Successful Web site?
- Content, Content, Content!
- Make good use of your home page - visitors should know who you are and what
you do just by looking at your home page
- Create a "theme" throughout your site - use effective keywords
- Know Your Audience! - ask yourself who are they, what do they want to know,
can they find it, can they contact me easily?
- Keep it up-to-date and fresh!
- Make sure your site is well organized and easy to navigate
- Make it easy for your visitors to find information - present more then one
way to find what they need - graphics, text, links, site map
- Good design should enhance your visitor's experience
- Make sure your pages load fast - especially your home page
- Optimize your images
- Make sure text is easy to read and easy on the eyes
- Make effective use of white space to present content
- Know Your Audience! - make your pages fit the technology of your visitors!
- Do you have a "low tech" audience? Will they be using modems or high-speed
connections?
- Do they need plug-ins to see your pages?
- Must they enable scripts and cookies?
- Consider browser size and resolution when laying out pages.
- Page layout - 100% or fixed size?
- Do you need to consider web-safe colors?
- Design for the lowest common denominator
- Protect your customers with secure pages where necessary, provide a Privacy
Policy if you collect personal information.
- Make your contact information easy to find. Decide if you will provide phone
numbers, email, street address, map & directions
- If you provide an email contact or contact form - make sure you are
responsive!
Beyond The Basics
- Optimize your pages for the search engines so you can be found!
- Submit your site to the search engines - target your keywords - be specific,
find your niche.
- Study your web site statistics to learn how people use your site, how they
get there, how many visitors you have, what pages they visit. Tweak your pages
to enhance your users' experience.
- Always look for ways to promote your site through other web sites. If you
belong to a professional organization, ask for a link. Exchange links with other
sites.
- Consider buying listings on other sites, or purchase banner ads.
