| What is the most important element of website | | | | including menus. For instance if there is |
| design? Is it the one that best showcases | | | | some crucial information on your website and |
| your design prowess? Is it the one that | | | | people need to access that information before |
| proves what a brilliant graphic designer you | | | | doing business with you then don't make that |
| are? Or the one that will bring you more | | | | information accessible only through a |
| design awards? Or maybe your site design | | | | JavaScript on an image file or a Flash |
| exists to establish a platform for you and | | | | animation. All your important text should be |
| your visitors to interact with each other | | | | available only in text and even if you have |
| unhindered by usability glitches? | | | | to resort to using images and other stuff |
| | | | than make sure the textual alternative is |
| The criteria for good web design depends upon | | | | always available. |
| the person and the purpose of each site. That | | | | |
| said there are some established conventions | | | | 2) Don't use colors that cause strain to the |
| that you are advised to follow to ensure that | | | | eyes. If you want people to come to your |
| your completed site has as wide a reach as | | | | website again and again and consume your |
| possible. When you are designing your | | | | content or do business with you then you must |
| website, especially these days, you have to | | | | make their stay over your website as pleasant |
| be constantly conscious of the fact that | | | | as possible. No matter how awesome your |
| there are numerous browsers and numerous | | | | design looks if the color combinations are |
| devices that people may use to access your | | | | strain-full, after a while they will tire of |
| website. No longer do people browse the | | | | your website and stop coming. Always take |
| Internet just through their PCs and laptops; | | | | care that your background behind the text is |
| there are many handheld devices that can | | | | far lighter than the text, and vice versa. |
| directly connect to the Internet and enable | | | | |
| people to browse your website; people can | | | | 3) Plan a carefully considered (from the |
| even browse your website using their mobile | | | | users perspective) navigation system. If you |
| phones. The days when 99$ of the population | | | | have multiple pages on your website then |
| used Internet Explorer as their primary | | | | there should be a prominently defined |
| browser are far behind us. | | | | navigation system that is easily accessible |
| | | | to everybody. As mentioned above don't let |
| What are you showcasing or what is the main | | | | your navigation depend on images, |
| focus of your site as this will drive the | | | | JavaScripts, or Flash animation. If possible |
| overall design of your site: will you include | | | | create just a text-based navigation bar. With |
| videos, images just text or maybe a mixture | | | | CSS designing you can create great looking |
| of all three? You have to design your website | | | | navigation bars. |
| accordingly. If it is merely text that you | | | | |
| plan to publish then try to make it as less | | | | 4) Design your website using CSS because then |
| graphical as possible as people coming to | | | | you can make your content and your navigation |
| your website will be interested in your text | | | | bar appear in a linear fashion. Since all the |
| and not your images and videos. Similarly a | | | | layout-related placements take place through |
| website showcasing your Flash animation | | | | CSS definitions no matter how your text |
| expertise will expect lots of Flash work so | | | | appears texturally, graphically it will |
| you needn't worry about making your website | | | | appear as a pleasant layout. The CSS |
| textually accessible. | | | | designing techniques also enable you to |
| | | | dabble with intricate layouts without making |
| So when you are designing your website you | | | | your website inaccessible. CSS designing will |
| have to take all these parameters into | | | | always help you arrange your main content |
| consideration. But does it mean that you're | | | | before the navigation link despite making it |
| always accommodating browsers and devises and | | | | visually appear beneath the navigation bar or |
| do not focus on your own business, whatever | | | | to the right of it. |
| that is? No, I'm not suggesting that. Just | | | | |
| take care of the following website design | | | | Follow these basic web design principles and |
| guidelines and you will make sure that 95% | | | | you will have a good website design to boast |
| people (well, there will always be those odd | | | | of. Remember that your website design is |
| 5% who can never browse the web easily no | | | | created for the sake of your visitors and not |
| matter what they try) surfing the Internet | | | | to cater to your designing whims and fancies. |
| can access your website: | | | | |
| | | | Gary Mattoc is employed by Peterborough web |
| 1) Create a lighter design. Where possible do | | | | design Company Doublespark Limited. Contact |
| not overuse either Javascripts of Flash that | | | | Gary for all your Peterborough graphic design |
| effect the major functionality of your site, | | | | requirements. |