The Rules Of Website Design
Optimal performance is the number one priority in any website design. The existence of large, slow loading flash files on some website shows that some webmaster do not require the basic understanding if what constitutes an optimally designed website.
To help you remember the rules for effective website design, here are five basic rules.
1) Don’t use splash pages. The splash pages are the fancy pages you see when you enter 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. Give them the value of your site up front without the splash page.
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. A better solution would be to add useful web contents and weave affiliate links artfully into them.
3) Successful sites always have an easy navigational system. Keep navigation simple so that the youngest user can use it. Stay away from complicated Flash based menus or multi-tiered drop down menus. When navigation becomes hard and frustrating, they will leave your site for good and you will probably never get them back. The best method to avoid this problem is to construct a sitemap as part of your website design that shows, and links, to every page in your site.
4) Have a clear indication of where the user is. When you have successfully captured their attention and enjoying the whole experience perusing your website, you will want to make them know where they are at the moment without feeling lost. 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 confuse your visitors in any way they will leave.
5) Reconsider the necessity to include audio in the website. Your favorite tune may be repulsive to some visitors, so use music sparingly. A sound file should not be played continuously it can be irritating on the user. 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 diligently apply these website design tips, you will be rewarded with retuning visitors again and again to your website.
