| Is it possible to have an attractive website | | | | Let's look at what efficient slicing means: |
| and still be optimized for search engines? | | | | |
| The answer is absolutely yes! Of course we | | | | 1. Do not make large slices that contain lots |
| tend to be mis-guided about what will dazzle | | | | of different colors. Use a small number of |
| the visitor. It is not necessary to | | | | slices where each slice contains a limited |
| overwhelm your website with graphics, which | | | | number of colors. |
| will cause the page to download slower. Our | | | | |
| intention is to provide you with tips that | | | | 2. Do not make a large slice that contains |
| will still be attractive, while focusing on | | | | the same graphic structure. Slice a small |
| Easy Spider. Easy Spider is a term we use at | | | | portion of it and duplicate it in your code. |
| our firm that will optimize the HTML code, | | | | This is a very common mistake that webmasters |
| but not the aesthetics of the website. | | | | programmers make when dealing with gradient |
| | | | color background. |
| There is no question that most webmasters are | | | | |
| developing websites that are complex and full | | | | 3. Do not use JPEG file format all the time. |
| of graphic design elements. Even though, we | | | | In some cases a GIF format will be much |
| have faster connection speeds today compared | | | | smaller in size. A rule of thumb - a slice |
| to 10 years ago, we can go overboard and the | | | | with high number of colors will be smaller in |
| page wills till download slowly. Of course | | | | size using the JPEG format rather than the |
| the user will never wait that long for a | | | | GIF format, and the opposite is also true. |
| website to load, and will move on to the next | | | | Check each option separately. Every 1KB that |
| website in their search results. | | | | you reduce from the image file size will |
| | | | eventually add up to a significant reduction |
| One does have to ask the question why | | | | in page size. |
| webmasters are still developing slow loading | | | | |
| websites. Primarily due to a lack of | | | | 4. Consider using PNG graphic file formats |
| knowledge. The knowledge of simple graphic | | | | that will provide you the balance between |
| optimization techniques that will allow them | | | | transparent backgrounds and larger color |
| to maintain an attractive website while | | | | possibilities. |
| keeping the page size smaller. | | | | |
| | | | 5. If you have text on a solid color |
| Did you know that a box with rounded corners | | | | background, do not slice it at all. Use code |
| can be achieved using CSS code only, without | | | | to create the background instead. Remember |
| the need for any graphic image? It is | | | | that you can define both the font style and |
| possible and although not prevalent with all | | | | background color of the area using CSS. |
| web browsers, we are heading in the direction | | | | |
| where the browsers will accept more CSS | | | | Advanced Techniques |
| alternatives. However the point we are | | | | |
| trying to make here is not about CSS vs. | | | | Graphically optimizing a website is more than |
| graphic images, but that we tend to be | | | | just knowing how to do image optimizations. |
| stagnant in our knowledge and do not keep up | | | | There are some advanced techniques that |
| with the fast changing trends in web | | | | require a high level of programming. CSS2 has |
| development. | | | | much more to offer then CSS does. Although |
| | | | not all browsers have adopted this standard |
| For instance, Flash only websites, while | | | | yet you should be ready for when they do. |
| attractive, fund an interactive are not | | | | |
| appropriate for search engine optimization. | | | | PHP scripts have become more prevalent during |
| Consider keeping you web page 90% regular | | | | 2005 and actually feed the information that |
| text HTML and insert Flash elements to | | | | Search Engine spiders can use. PHP is |
| provide the interactive attractiveness. | | | | preferable over JavaScript. |
| | | | |
| Granted one does believe that we should not | | | | JavaScript's are still good possibilities to |
| limit the web designer by placing any | | | | consider. JavaScript also gives you a set of |
| restrictions that impact the final outcome. | | | | options to create some cool effects without |
| However, do consider implanting code wherever | | | | needing to overload the page with Flash. |
| possible over graphic elements. Equally, | | | | Using limited tools like JavaScript compared |
| consider the complexity of the graphics as | | | | to an advanced application like Flash to |
| the web sites structure, layout and | | | | create the desired effects can be difficult. |
| functionality are being planned. | | | | However think about the outcome. For a |
| | | | onetime effort you can differentiate your |
| Another example is when the design is | | | | website from others. You will have an |
| finished and you are ready to slice it into | | | | attractive professional looking website that |
| small images to be used in the html code. | | | | loads quickly. |
| Everything you do at this stage will affect | | | | |
| the total page size. If your design contains | | | | Get used to writing well optimized web pages |
| rounded shapes that overlap each other or | | | | because search engines are still the number |
| areas with color gradients, then you must | | | | one method of finding information on the web. |
| slice it carefully so the outcome is a small | | | | Search Engine spiders have to be considered |
| file size. | | | | in this cat and mouse game that will never |
| | | | end. |