| Website design can be a hot topic for debate | | | | very least it should work on Firefox and Internet |
| considering the many factors that go into making a | | | | Explorer, but getting it to work on Safari and Opera |
| good site. You want to make your website show up | | | | should be a goal as well. |
| in the search engines, preferably on page one; and at | | | | Web Design Tip # 5: Keep The Flash Away. |
| the same time you want your site to be aimed at | | | | Generally speaking, flash websites take longer to |
| your visitors so that they stay on it for as long as | | | | open and are not as search engine friendly as regular |
| possible. | | | | sites. If the website takes too long to open, the |
| Here are some tips that you should keep in mind | | | | visitor will just head over to the back button, click it |
| when you design your website so that it is appealing | | | | and then move on over to the next site. |
| and keeps visitors wanting more. | | | | Flash websites were popular when they first made |
| Web Design Tip # 1: Keep It Simple. | | | | the scene, and they can be very fancy and flashy; |
| If you visit some of the best websites on the | | | | but they can be distracting and irritating at times. |
| Internet, you'll see one common thread running | | | | If your focus is to impress visitors, then perhaps a |
| through each site, and that is they are kept simple. A | | | | flash website would be appropriate. But if your focus |
| cluttered site will confuse your visitors and they will | | | | is to make money and build relationships (which is the |
| leave, looking for something better. | | | | aim of most website owners), then posting beneficial |
| Make sure it is pleasing to the eye by having a simple | | | | content and including some attractive graphics would |
| design. A simple design does not mean that it cannot | | | | do. Resist the temptation of using a flash site and |
| be very beautifully done; it just means that it is not | | | | remember to keep it simple. |
| too busy and distracting. Take a look at other | | | | Web Design Tip # 6: Make It Easy To Navigate. |
| websites in your niche that are doing well. You will | | | | Good navigation is the most important feature you |
| see that their design is simple yet appealing at the | | | | can have on your site. You need to make it as easy |
| same time. | | | | as possible for your visitors to make their way |
| You also need to make sure that it is free of any | | | | through your site. |
| errors because it would either consciously or | | | | You can set up links with an easy-to-follow path on |
| subconsciously turn off your visitors. A website that | | | | your site for the visitor, and at the same time set up |
| is full of errors will be a complete distraction because | | | | some SEO friendly linking. Keep the navigation as |
| the viewer will have his attention fixed on these | | | | easy to follow as possible. If your visitors get |
| errors whether he knows it or not. | | | | confused about where to go next, they won't go |
| Web Design Tip # 2: Keep It Quiet. | | | | anywhere next and you would lose them. |
| No matter how tempting it may be, do not have | | | | Web Design Tip # 7: Use SEO Without Distraction. |
| music playing on your site when it is first loaded. Most | | | | You have to maintain a careful balance between |
| of the people that visit your site will move onto the | | | | making your website appealing to both the search |
| next one as fast as they can as soon as they hear | | | | engines and your visitors. If you try too hard to |
| music blasting out of their speakers or into their | | | | make it search engine friendly, you may end up with |
| headphones. | | | | a site that does not work for the general public. |
| Similarly, a website that opens with somebody talking | | | | Search engines generally love and appreciate any site |
| can be quite a turnoff to many people. You should | | | | that keeps the visitors in mind and is written for |
| instead consider having a control that can be used to | | | | people, not machines. Proper SEO does not involve |
| turn on music if they want, or a video they can | | | | keyword stuffing or any other type of writing that is |
| control for instructional material. | | | | not written for the audience. |
| Web Design Tip # 3: Avoid Automatic Pop-ups. | | | | A good thing to do when you set up your site is to |
| Pop-ups can irritate a lot of people, and many visitors | | | | have it looked at by someone that understands |
| will just press x on the screen as soon as it opens. | | | | website design. If you don't know anybody |
| Although pop-ups are common these days, a site | | | | personally, you can go to an Internet marketing |
| designed for the average consumer should not have | | | | forum and ask there. You can also offer to pay a |
| a pop-up on the main page. | | | | small fee to someone that understands web design |
| You are risking your reputation by putting pop-ups on | | | | for a quick assessment. |
| a page, and may even be considered a spammer by | | | | If you are designing websites for off-line customers |
| some. If you are trying to build up a positive | | | | you will have a lot of requests for fancy sites based |
| reputation in your niche, drop the pop-ups. | | | | on your client's limited knowledge of how a site |
| If you are building a subscriber list, you could either | | | | should be put together. |
| put an inline subscription form on your site, or use an | | | | You will need to talk to your customers and let them |
| exit pop-up so visitors can only view the pop-up | | | | know in basic terms why they should avoid some |
| once they leave your site (not while browsing). | | | | things, and what they should do instead. You will |
| Web Design Tip # 4: Make It Browser Friendly. | | | | need to present this carefully so that they fully |
| While many people use Internet Explorer, those that | | | | understand what you are saying without feeling |
| are using another search engine - such as Firefox - | | | | offended. |
| need to have the website open properly for them as | | | | Keep these website design tips in mind when you are |
| well. | | | | putting your site in order. Although they may seem |
| When you design your website you will need to test | | | | simple, overlooking just one aspect of one of these |
| it on different browsers to make sure that it is | | | | tips can lose you a lot of visitors or customers in the |
| compatible with some of the major ones. At the | | | | end. |