| Anyone can build a website but not anyone can | | | | through browsers. There's no other way. But the |
| design effective websites. Effective web design | | | | problem lies in the fact that not all computers are the |
| involves a lot of factors, including a substantial | | | | same and not everyone using the same browser. If |
| understanding of how the internet works, how | | | | your website can't load in IE, you will lose IE users |
| internet users think and act, and the ability to learn | | | | who may be potential customers for your website. |
| from one's own (or others') mistakes. | | | | It's a web design best practice to create your base |
| Even on the best websites, you'll see more than one | | | | design for "gecko" browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, |
| mistake but most of them cannot affect the success | | | | Netscape, Flock, Camino, Opera). If your design looks |
| of the website itself because everything else about it | | | | good and functions well on these browsers, then it's |
| falls properly into place. Most of the time those | | | | more likely to be problem-free with other browsers |
| mistakes are just flukes. | | | | such as Safari, Chrome and Internet Explorer. If not, |
| What we need to worry about are web design | | | | all you'd have to do is add a few tweaks. |
| mistakes that people make over and over again and | | | | Poorly designed "Under Construction" pages. "Under |
| those that their designers refuse to rectify. Here are | | | | Construction" pages are powerful in that, if they are |
| some major website design mistakes that will kill just | | | | improperly used, they could destroy your online |
| about any website. | | | | business. These pages raise "red flags" to search |
| Poor information and bad content. I'm talking about | | | | engines and to visitors, telling them that you are not |
| websites that seem to tell you they have all the | | | | finished and therefore have nothing of value to offer |
| information you need, then in the end just fail to | | | | them. Studies show that new visitors won't be |
| deliver. Poor information or bad content most often | | | | inclined to return to your website if they see a |
| result from lack of actual knowledge and | | | | blatant "Under Construction" message on your main |
| understanding, or just sloppy content creation. | | | | page. |
| It's easy to spot this problem. On the web there are | | | | Sometimes using "Under Construction" pages are |
| lots of content containing lots of "fluff", | | | | unavoidable. But that doesn't mean you can't be |
| unsubstantiated claims, information you already know | | | | creative about it. Instead of a bland page with just |
| carved into absolute statements, badly written | | | | those two words scrolled across it in big red bold |
| content or content totally devoid of individuality. | | | | letters, why not post a sincere notice that includes |
| You'll see that this is prevalent among many | | | | your contact information. Let your visitors know that |
| emerging authority sites. Some authority sites | | | | although your website may not be able to help them |
| however, are capable of delivering genuine expert | | | | with their needs at the moment, you are ready to |
| information. Others are just hype. | | | | help them yourself. Use a message that looks more |
| Not designed to function with other browsers. Web | | | | like the following: |
| designers are often tasked with making sure the | | | | "We apologize for any inconvenience. We have a lot |
| websites they design work across the board. This is | | | | of items in store to put on this page and we ask for |
| how you can distinguish an amateur web designer | | | | your patience while we get the page ready for you. |
| from an experienced one. | | | | In the meantime, please feel free to send us an email |
| Why is this important? Browsers are the medium in | | | | at (insert your email address here) if you need |
| which your visitors will see your website. Your | | | | assistance with anything. We'd be more than happy |
| customers will make their purchases, give you their | | | | to help you personally. |
| email address and subscribe to your newsletters | | | | |