This article will tell you what you need to know to get started in web design. This article provides information on designing websites that gives you the knowledge you need to get started. No matter what your experience level is, you can always learn more.
It is always good to add a favicon to your website. The favicon is a 16×16 image file in the .Ico format. This image is the one you see next to the URL bar, next to the title of the page on an opened tab and is also visible on your bookmarks tab if you choose to bookmark a page. The favicon will help users quickly recognize your page in their browser without reading any text or directly viewing the page.
Make sure that all of your colors match one another. The text on your web pages, in particular, needs to be clear and easy to read on the colors you choose for your backgrounds. Dark text on light backgrounds are typically easier on the eyes than the other way around. If you are not sure whether or not your chosen color scheme is user friendly, ask for some feedback from some of your friends.
Testing your website in every browser available is a great way to ensure it works as you wish it to for every visitor. Some things that work in Internet Explorer might not work correctly in Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. Before uploading your site, give each page a look in each of the more popular web browsers.
Do not overuse JavaScript. JavaScript does open many doors when it comes to website design, but it can also close the door to your website for some visitors. The major web browsers differ somewhat in functionality, and they are updated frequently. Everyone who visits your site will not always have an up to date browser. Also, consider that JavaScript isn’t regularly enabled in everyone’s browser. If they aren’t using either or these options, then they will not be able to view your site.
Make your links obvious. Customers do not like spending time wading through your site searching for something they are interested in. Having a site map, as well as providing big, prominent links will help your viewer find what they are looking for without wasting time in a hunt. Lead them to your information.
If you believe your site may be accessed via mobile devices, you will want to keep your designs simple. The use of flash, excessive images, and complicated menus will not translate well to a mobile platform. Keep your page clean and simple, or create a specific mobile site for your users.
Wherever your logo appears on your site, you should accompany it with a complementary slogan or tagline. Ideally, this tagline should be catchy and informative and should offer some basic summary of the purpose of your site or product offering. The combination of your logo and tagline should appear on every page to create a sense of cohesion.
Don’t load rich content automatically. Rich content mainly refers to music and videos, but anything other than text or graphics qualifies. Many people browse in work environments where sounds suddenly playing is a big problem. Also, many people find such rich content annoying in general. Rich content should require some interaction from the user before playing.
To be updated on the new web design tricks, you should join an online forum. When joining these message boards you meet people who usually have an understanding of all the new web design technology. Without this new web design technology you could end up with a site that is completely outdated.
Optimize your website to ensure fast load times. Visitors will leave if they find themselves waiting for your website to load. Some effective ideas include using SSI files, making the most of your HTML, making expire headings, getting rid of excess script, Flash, and graphics and keeping CSS and JS coding to a minimum.
If you are stuck when it comes to designing your website, remember that the entire Internet is at your disposal. There are literally millions of websites that you can browse to find the inspiration that you need. Check out websites that appeal to you, and see the things you like on them, then determine if that is what you would like to have on your own website. You can’t just copy someone else to be successful though. You can always improve ideas.
Website counters are unattractive. You might like the number going up, but your visitors don’t like it. As you can see, the counter can be counterproductive and you can use other tools in the back office or online to check the visitor count.
Keep the curiosity of your visitor in mind. Don’t disrupt the natural flow of his or her exploration of your site. This also means avoiding surveys or pushy offers that cause viewers to break their focus and lose interest. Forcing your visitors to do things they don’t have time for will only annoy them and drive them away.
Avoid using captchas except during user registration. Captchas make viewers feel that they must jump through a hoop just to see a simple webpage. Chances are that only the avid fan will put up with typing a captcha, everyone else will move on to other websites.
Avoid every instance of spammy “sell language” that you possibly can. Studies show that users are likely to jump off of a webpage the instant they pick up the “salesman” vibe. This is because it is said to actually trigger a predatory response in human brain function! So next time you want to sell a product, remember that the potential consumer may view you as a predator and run!
Before you begin creating your website, it can be beneficial to have your design laid out as a wire-frame image on your computer, or drawn out on a piece of paper. This will provide you with a reference that you can look back to as you begin implementing your ideas. It can be an effective organization tool, and additionally, can serve as a prototype to identify potential problems early on.
These tips will go a long way in building your knowledge of web design. Stay current with industry trends and keep learning ways to improve upon your craft, and produce outstanding web design results!
