There are plenty of web sites out there in which basic elements of design are ignored. The viewer may experience overkill and frustration, instead of gently receiving the message or information. Here are some simple ways to help clarify your web site's message for your company or organization. Use the web as a tool for sales, community contact, and to improve, rather than detract from a business entity's image.
Choosing Your Images
Choose site images carefully. Collect simple illustrations or photographs that are in sync with company mission or philosophy. A few select images will have more impact than many images competing for the eye's attention. Avoid images that are distracting or trendy. Don't simply use graphics to be cool.
How many photos or images are appropriate? A good rule of thumb is one to two images per web page. Select photos and images as carefully as you select the text, and you'll be on your way to a better site. The exception to the rule is for sites that market a large amount of products or contain many points of interest, where small thumbnail images may be more appropriate.
Placement of Images on the Page
Do you want the photo or graphic to be the centerpiece? The first thing the eye sees? If so, place it in the central position. If not, maybe the photo or graphic is related to some of the text, and it can be placed nearby this text to accentuate it. Remember, we read from left to right. Some say the left represents the past, the center the present, and the right the future. Content may be organized this way on the page intentionally, to heighten this resonance with the viewer.
Don't let site images be a distraction or hindrance to understanding. Instead, they should blend well into site content and not be a contrast to the message on the page. Images should not compete with content, they should enhance it.
Image Quality
Images should look as nice and clear as possible. There is an important balance to keep between image file size and quality. Always keep in mind that the file size and dimensions of your images will ultimately control overall page loading time. A slow-loading site will be frustrating to any user. Generally, pages load from the top down, so it is an important point to remember not to design your pages with large image files that fill the top of each page.
Site Text
It's important not to overdo the writing on a page. Consider how much the user will read and write site content to capture the typically short attention spans of the viewers. Be succinct, and most importantly: be clear. Write subheads and set them in bold, slightly larger type. Carefully placed subheads allow the casual viewer to scan the content of your site.
Write for Search Engines
Research your clientele, and your targeted audience, and always develop content that sells your products, services, or organization. If you or your organization are lacking the expertise to write good copy, hire a professional writer to do the job.
Some web specific writing techniques are important. Try to use select keywords on each page that will lead new users to consider your business or services. Write this text directly into your copy. The first 20 words of your web site text should be what you want people to see in search engine results as a summary of your site.
Site Organization
To simplify the user's experience, set your site up so that he can get to the intended location easily with no more than three clicks. The overall design of your site must be clear and intuitive so the user can navigate the content easily. If you must use symbols to direct the reader, always attach some explanatory text for the user, so they know where clicking the symbol will take them.
These are just a few of the basics of effective and clear web design. These tips provide ways to guide the user around your site, rather than frustrate them. With site clarity and ease of use, your clients and prospects are educated about your products and services, and have more reason to purchase them.
About The Author
Edward Robirds is a success-driven artist and interactive media developer based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Since 1996, Edward has been building business relationships with several association and commercial clients around the world. Founder of www.DreamseaArtworks.com, Edward uses his artistic skills, expertise and passion to design and develop web sites, interactive CD-ROMs, and print media for his clients.
Squeeze pages are a very hot topic in the internet... Read More
These days, it seems that everyone has a website. Unfortunately,... Read More
As part of your event planning you should seriously consider... Read More
Hire a designer or a programmer for your website is... Read More
Not all links are created equal.While all of your links... Read More
Whether you're hiring a designer who has created 10 sites... Read More
The icons in an application are the soul of the... Read More
Before I discovered the concept of Web site templates, I... Read More
1. Assemble a web site development plan that is integrated... Read More
Do you know why the majority of people use the... Read More
Have you ever thought about the real stories behind all... Read More
Everyday we hear that another company goes out of business.When... Read More
Many times I've seen a web site undergo a revision... Read More
Have you ever walked pass a shop that, for some... Read More
They say the eyes are the window to the soul.... Read More
Your web site is the key to your success on... Read More
Making a successful online business can be a long and... Read More
Then it was a choice among crayons, paints and palettes... Read More
My mother used to take me along when she visited... Read More
If you are one of those who wonder how people... Read More
There is unlimited possibilities when it comes to designing a... Read More
When you design a website how do you start ?Do... Read More
Are you thinking that it is about time your small... Read More
The solution lies in creating a 'Database driven website', through... Read More
An attractive and user-friendly Web site is crucial to attracting... Read More
As a web designer, I have a personal interest in... Read More
Once, I attempted to create a favicon (the little graphic... Read More
Easy That's how you'd like life to be, right? Especially... Read More
Avoid these mistakes and your site will be steps ahead... Read More
Just because you are a small business with an even... Read More
You're almost set. The content of your website, e-book, or... Read More
Part one of this article is available at ... Read More
If you have a business, big or small you may... Read More
Graphics are fun, but if you put in too many... Read More
If one more business owner tells me their website sucks... Read More
A few years ago a lot of websites utilized frame... Read More
Websites, there's literally billions of them out there in cyber-space.... Read More
There are two important reasons to build your website from... Read More
CNN.com's designers have gone out of their way to make... Read More
There is a widespread confusion among lots of new website... Read More
Are you in a dilemma whether to create a mini... Read More
The Internet is a relatively new medium. What works for... Read More
For online businesses with their main goal of selling products,... Read More
So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More
If you have a website, you want your visitors to... Read More
Are you using the best colors for your web site?... Read More
Does your website need a re-design? Here are some questions... Read More
The icons in an application are the soul of the... Read More
A website should firstly be searched out by visitors before... Read More
If you have a web site to which people pay... Read More
FIRST IMPRESSIONS. First impressions often leave lasting impressions. Impressions... Read More
Creating your own website is great fun! But how is... Read More
First off, I am a designer. Now you're thinking, here's... Read More
Are you looking for somebody to build you a website,... Read More
You have created your custom error page so now all... Read More
Good websites stand out from the masses of boring, hard... Read More
How many times have you clicked on a website only... Read More
When you develop a sales brochure, you have a mental... Read More
Here are 10 dynamic website advertising tactics to super-charge your... Read More
See, works every time. Seriously now, for some reason people... Read More
Easy navigation and usability are one of the most important... Read More
QUESTION: We promote our web site in all our... Read More
You know that I'm always extolling the virtues of an... Read More
Don't just put your slogan in the title tag when... Read More
If you are going to have a web presence for... Read More
What do the key words represent?Key words - these are... Read More
Web Design |