Basic Web Design Standards

The Internet has certainly changed the face of3. Content is King
commerce, with it becoming more and more difficultThe content of your website should be your top
to find a business with out a website. Thus, there arepriority. Text that describes your company, your
a lot of businesses looking for a cheaper, easier wayproducts or services, your company's vision, and so
to gain their presence on the web. Realistically, withon, in a concise, easily understood manner is key. I
the advent of numerous "user friendly" websiterecommend that you write the content for your site
development programs, almost anyone willing tobefore you ever start in the design process. Have as
devote a little time can develop a website. However,many people as you can proof read your content to
websites designed with out an understanding of webensure that it is sensible and flows well. Ask others
standards and technologies are often poorly designedquestions about the impression of your company
and problematic. Also, businesses often realize thatthey get based on the content. This may shed light
their site requires features that are beyond theon the way the website should look and behave.
capability of the novice website designer.4. Keep it consistent
So, what makes one website stand out as superiorGenerally, the language and look of one page should
to another? The fact is, efficient website design is abe very similar to that of the other pages in the
science. The architecture behind a well designedwebsite. You don't want the users to feel as though
website is beyond the scope of the article, however,they are bouncing from one website to another.
there are certain attributes that are key in efficient5. Make website navigation clear and simple
website design. Here are 6 things to remember whenKeep in mind that if a user has to search too hard
designing a website.for information on your website, they won't search
1. Have a targeted marketat all. They're more apt to search for a simpler
Understanding and defining who you are marketing towebsite. The terms used as links to navigate a
should be the first step in developing your website.website should be brief, but descriptive of the
The market of a website should dictate the look andcontent they lead to. I also recommend that most
the language of that website. A website designed forwebsites include more then one navigation section
a law firm will naturally be dramatically different from(i.e. if you designate the left side of the page as a
a website designed for a rock band, from the groundnavigation area, consider placing a less apparent
up. The website should be representative of thenavigation section at the bottom of the page).
company's principles and preferences. Failure in this6. Design for speed
area may take away from the credibility of theYou have a maximum of about 30 seconds to
company.capture the attention of your visitors. This time
2. Have a definite focusdecreases dramatically if your site is slow to load. For
Keep the focus of each page to a minimum. Don't trythis reason, graphics used should be small or
to fit everything in on one page. Separating subjectsoptimized. Also, while features such as Flash, audio
into different pages will help keep your website morevideo, and animations certainly have their place, they
defined and organized. A website with poorlyshould be used in moderation on most websites.
organized, or poorly categorized, content can oftenImplementation of these tips will move your website
look overwhelming and will discourage the readerin the right direction.
from remaining on your website.